Faster, more stable and more efficient ENGEL's new generation e-cap

The e-cap 380's short dry cycle period (eg 1.
3 seconds) and parallel injection make an important contribution to achieving cycle times of less than 2 seconds
.
The ejection is performed at the same time as the mold opening
.
Its new feature is that the direct-drive hydraulic ejector is augmented by a switchable servo-hydraulic booster if required
.
 

With two different types of drives, ENGEL ensures that the injection molding machines operate at optimum efficiency during production and when starting up after production interruptions
.
During the production process, the caps are not completely cooled and are very easy to demould when they are ejected.
The ejector must apply more force in the stopped state to loosen the cooled caps
.
 

Beverage caps are becoming lighter and lighter, thus placing higher and higher demands on injection molding machine technology
.

Since production interruptions are rare, augmenting the servo-hydraulic drive is more effective than generally equipping machines with more powerful ejector drives
.
Only use more force when it is really needed - this is the design philosophy of Engel
.
 

Powerful new plasticizing unit - designed for high viscosity HDPE 

During the further development of the e-cap, the plasticizing unit was completely redesigned, as the properties of the material to be processed also changed
.
The raw material manufacturer adjusted the material for the lighter cap weight
.
 

For example, for CSD (carbonated soft drink) caps, current HDPE types have a melt flow index (MFI) between 0.
8 and 1.
4 g/10min
.
For very short cycle times, these values ​​require particularly high plasticizing properties
.
ENGEL increased the torque of the metering drive accordingly and developed a new plasticizing screw and a new highly wear-resistant annular check valve for cap production
.
Both products are standard on the new e-cap injection molding machine
.
 

With the new design, the barrier screw handles high-viscosity HDPE with exceptional gentleness even at high flux rates and ensures good melt rates and melt homogeneity
.
This further contributes to the high process stability and repeatability of the e-cap injection moulding machines
.
 

Optimizing the energy consumption of the overall equipment 

Cleanliness and low energy consumption have been the main features of the series from the very beginning
.
With its closed crankshaft construction and very clean linear plate guides, the e-cap injection moulding machine is particularly compliant with the closely monitored production requirements of the food industry
.
 

In particular, the all-electric drive technology of the injection molding machine plays an important role in the excellent energy efficiency
.
In addition, kinetic energy recovery avoids expensive power peaks
.
Due to the very high efficiency of the drive used, the e cap injection moulding machine requires very little cooling water
.
For example, the e-cap 380 operates at high speed and consumes only 0,37 kWh of energy per kilogram of plastic particles
.
 

As a system supplier, ENGEL precisely coordinates all components of the production cell right from the start of the project
.
"This allows us to fully exploit the efficiency potential of the entire production cell," Mairhofer emphasizes
.
 

The new e-caps will be available in 220, 280, 380 and 420 sizes with clamping forces from 2,200 to 4,200 kN
.