Machinery news

‘Fine-tuned’ El-Exis cycle time enhanced

Machinery manufacturer Sumitomo (SHI) Demag says its recently launched El-Exis SP fast cycling injection moulding machine delivers “market-leading performance benefits” across the whole system.

Targeting high-volume manufacturers of packaging products, caps and closures, technical and medical products, the El-Exis SP hybrid machine uses a mix of drive technologies, including a servo-driven hydraulic clamp unit, to achieve precise movements.

Together with a hydraulic accumulator delivering high injection rates and an electric screw drive for parallel plasticising, the new machine is said to “shave tenths of a second” off the cycle time, thereby resulting in increased margins for manufacturers.

The company’s MD Nigel Flowers says: “The SP model has been fine-tuned in all areas to improve product quality, quantity and lower energy consumption. For high volume plastics manufacturers, these enhancements aid company profitability and give capacity flexibility to meet future growth demands.”

With single or multi-component capability, and based on the company’s existing El-Exis technology, the El-Exis SP has a 150-750 tonnes clamp force range, up to 1,120mm between tie bars, and can accommodate up to 2.5kg shot weight.

The machine’s new NC5 plus control system allows each machine axis to be individually optimised, with a built-in mould safety system that monitors the status of the mould during opening and closing strokes, anticipating potential problems and reacting quickly to minimise potential mould damage.

Matthews SVM is ‘value’ thermal transfer offering

US-based global coding & marking systems supplier Matthews Marking Systems has introduced its new SVM line of economical thermal transfer printers for packaging applications.

With a high resolution print quality of up to 300dpi, the high performance printers are available in two print widths of 32mm or 53mm. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based company says the new range incorporates arrangements for either continuous or intermittent printing.

Marketing manager Trace Bocan says: “These base digital thermal transfer printers provide tremendous value for the price, marking primarily expiry and production dates, and offer easy access mounting frames for simple installation to existing production processes.”

Multi-case movement reduces risk

Cermex has launched the FlexiCase multi-function, top loading case packer for home and personal care markets.

With a speed of 40 cases/min, 20m² footprint and “extensive scope” in the variety of products and cases it can handle, the new machine combines forming, loading and sealing operations for the packing of plastics bottles of all sizes, shapes and strengths.

According to the France-based company, 17 servomotors ensure the FlexiCase has “remarkable fluidity and accuracy” and guarantees product and packaging integrity.

FlexiCase can be based around existing modules in the Cermex range, or developed for specific requirements, with the choice of either Stop & Go or continuous technology, according to speed and bottle criteria.

A compact vertical forming function includes a case magazine at a level of 900mm, for easier reloading by the operator. Multi-case packing, usually of between one and three at a time, reduces the packing speed with a slower movement, without reducing the overall speed of the machine and the line.

“FlexiCase consequently limits the risks inherent to the critical product-to-packaging phase – gripping, transfer, loading,” the company says.

Three servomotors and a positive lateral-band drive facilitate the kinematics of the hotmelt gluing operation to obtain “perfect” case folding, squaring and pressing while eliminating bumping, and a sealing alternative using adhesive tape is also available.

Weighpack launch gives ‘total control’

Aimed at reducing cost of ownership, the heavy duty, high speed XPdius i-130 vertical form and seal machine has been launched by US-based Weighpack Systems.

Capable of handling bag widths from 2.5-13 inches wide, and lengths varying from 2-18 inches, the new machine is designed for easy access to the mechanics from the front, back and inside the frame. while its many tool-less features save time in loading film, replacing pull belts and completing bag width changeovers.

Standard features include a cantilevered air film shaft that eliminates side chucks to hold film in place. “Reload time of new rolls of plastics is extremely fast compared with the conventional film shafts that are supported on both sides using side chucks to hold the core in place,” the company states.

Panasonic servomotors and drives on the pull belt assembly and horizontal seal jaws, assure “total control” over acceleration, deceleration and positioning.

‘Smallest footprint’ extrusion blow moulder claim

India-based manufacturer Smart Machineries and Moulds claims to have launched the “smallest extrusion blow moulding machine in the world”.

The company says the key factor behind the development of the new compact machine was the maximum utilisation of floor space, with a smaller footprint and faster cycles resulting in higher output.

“Our machines require the smallest floor space in the industry and are custom built to be suitable for various applications,” the Mumbai company says.

“Products covered are used for the packaging of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, lubricants, automotive and more.”

With the capacity to produce containers of sizes between 5ml and 2 litres, Smart also claims that the fully automatic machine reduces manpower requirements compared with more complex and larger machines, in addition to offering savings in speed and energy efficiency.

The new machine also offers other features including single or double station capabilities, helical gearbox and fast drying.

Smurfit unveils latest developments in bag-in-box range

Smurfit Kappa has launched two machines, extending the range in its bag-in-box beverage applications.

Described as efficient, reliable and flexible, the BIB 700 Evolutive is said to be particularly suitable for small and medium-sized producers who want to set up an automatic machine, or those who are moving into Smurfit Kappa’s Pouch-Up packaging.

Pouch-Up pouches are finding particular favour in the wine and cocktail markets, and are currently available as 1, 1.5 and 3 litre packs with a single gusset at the base.

Launched alongside the 700 Evolutive at the Vinitech exhibition in Bordeaux last November, the new Syncro 35 automatic handle applicator comes from Vitop – a Smurfit Kappa Group company based in Italy, and known worldwide for its production of bag-in-box taps and connectors.

The new machine, which can be adapted to various box formats, is said to offer a “ground-breaking cycle rate” and ease of use, due to its handle feed system. Handles are packed in rolls of 3,200 pieces at a time, ensuring “autonomy of two to four hours, depending on the pace of the packing lines”. It also enables handles to be placed at an angle of between -45° to +45 degrees.

The Syncro 35 is said to offer “significant working comfort and productivity gains.”

Sumitomo Demag's El-Exis SP: “market-leading performance benefits" Sumitomo SVM thermal transfer printer from Matthews Marking Systems Matthews Cermex FlexiCase: forming, loading and sealing operations for the packing of plastics bottles of all sizes, shapes and strengths. Cermex "Reducing cost of ownership": the XPdius i-130 vertical form fill seal machine from Weighpack Weighpack From Smart Machineries and Moulds: the “smallest extrusion blow moulding machine in the world” Smart Smurfit Kappa extending its bag-in-box beverage applications Smurfit Kappa