Plastics Technology

AUG 2016

Plastics Technology - Dedicated to improving Plastics Processing.

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The Plastics Drying and Blending Experts 860.627.5110 www . dri-air.com Plant-Wide Systems To further enhance the productivity of dryers and plastic forming equipment, DRI-AIR offers advanced systems capable of feeding multiple machines plant-wide including: Central storage systems Distribution systems Conveying systems Blending systems Storage systems Blending systems Distribution systems Conveying systems SAYS IT ALL! Another module uses sensors to monitor the condition of electric-drive ball screws. These modules could send data to Engel's service platform to schedule maintenance or order spare parts, as well as build a database to predict component lifetimes and reduce future spare-parts inventory. NEW PROCESSES Engel will also present a new technique for decorating auto interior parts. Called DecoJect, it replaces painted PP parts with in-mold decoration (IMD). In-mold graining of a decorative TPO film can incorporate color, gloss, as well as haptic ("feel") qualities. In this roll-to-roll process, the film is pulled through the mold from top to bottom, sucked into the mold by vacuum, preheated by a robot carrying an IR heater panel; then back-injected with PP and trimmed (punched out) in the tool. After the 60-sec cycle, the part is trans- ferred to a station for laser trimming of excess film. This process is suitable for large parts like door panels and reportedly can cost up to 14% less than painting. At the show, the PP substrate will be molded with the MuCell microcellular foam process from Trexel Inc., Wilmington, Mass. (trexel.com) to cut weight and minimize warpage. A second new decorative process for automotive or electronic parts (notebooks, tablets, or smartphones) involves IMD with paint that is transferred to the part from a carrier film, which is stripped off after the mold opens. What's particularly new is that this will be performed on an organosheet composite that is both overmolded and decorated in the same cycle. It will use Engel's variomelt hot/cold molding process. After molding, a UV cure fully hardens the paint for scratch resistance. Engel, Leonhard Kurz, and Bond Laminates are exclusive develop- ment partners for this system. Kurz, the film supplier (U.S. office in Charlotte, N.C.; kurzusa.com), can offer it for standard injection molding. Molding lightweight composites with in-situ polymerization of caprolactam to nylon 6 will be another focus of the Engel exhibit. On a vertical v-duo two-platen machine with a sliding table, glass preforms for a lightweight shovel will be injected with liquid caprolactam, which will polymerize in the mold, and then the part will be transferred to a second cavity for backmolding with nylon/ glass to add functional features. What's new is an improved injec- tion system designed for caprolactam. Using twin electric-driven pistons, it is said to provide minimum residence time, reportedly critical to this process. The new injection system will be offered as an optional add-on for standard machines. (For more Engel K 2016 news, see Keeping Up section.) In-mold decorating with cover films or paint-transfer film. K 2 0 1 6 P R E V I E W

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