Netstal and its technology partners Plastisud and Machines Pagès conducted the first successful ICM Technology Days in the French city of Castelnaudary in January. In addition to very interesting specialist presentations, the top-class event also featured various live demonstrations.http://wwww.netstal.com/media/images/image_scaler_downloaded/b17fcfba9be74dd158118241654e0837.jpg_image_scaler_550x0.jpg
Successful ICM Technology Days
The three technology partners Netstal, Plastisud and Machines Pagès welcomed more than 120 participants to the halls of French mold manufacturer Plastisud in mid-January. "It was our goal to demonstrate the advantages and potential of this technology to interested customers. We managed to accomplish that with this event," said Markus Dal Pian, Netstal's Vice President Sales & Marketing, in summing things up. On the basis of this success, other ICM Technology Days will be conducted in 2016.
Interesting specialist presentations from experts
Thomas Iten, head of Packaging Application Technology at Netstal, explained the basic principle of the injection compression molding technology and illustrated the main advantages for processors using this method. In addition to the enormous weight reduction and the implementation of high flow path/wall thickness ratios, Iten emphasized the low-stress and therefore warp-free production of components that is the result of this technology. Compared to traditional injection molding, the injection compression molding process continues to allow the use of smaller and therefore more efficient production systems by using lower clamping forces. "In addition to the high injection performance and the required metering accuracy, the machine's success factors also include the high degree of plate parallelism and the dynamic interplay between the injection side and the clamping side," Iten emphasized. Stéphane Zoppi, Engineering Director at Plastisud, impressively explained important details regarding core centering, cavity sealing and the exact positioning of the central plate of a stack mold to his expert audience. Zoppi noted: "The patented Plastisud mold technology for stack molds forms the basis for successful production using the injection compression molding process." François Mivelle, IML specialist from Pages, rounded off the morning session by telling participants about the specific IML features for ICM products with regard to design and models.
In the concluding joint presentation, Stéphane Zoppi and Nijaz Husidic, sales manager of Netstal's PAC Business Unit, used realistic case studies to provide a close look at economic and commercial aspects as well as potential capabilities. With specific examples, the great economic benefit and the large potential of the process could be illustrated to the expert audience. Husidic is convinced that "the injection compression process could be positioned as an innovative technology between the two packaging technologies of thermoforming and injection molding, since it offers the advantages of both of these established technologies."
Live demonstrations back up the theory
The technology was impressively demonstrated during the event with the production of standard-sized 15 oz (425 grams) margarine containers, manufactured on an ELION 2800-2000 Hybrid with a cycle time of about 5 seconds. The labels were provided by the French company Coveris Decorative. Th process took place in a 4+4 cavity stack mold from Plastisud. "The combination of injection-compression molding and a stack mold is an absolute novelty in the industrial production of packaging," added Husidic. Thanks to the incredibly fast injection time of just 100 ms, the filling of the cavities is lightning quick yet extremely even while, at the same time, low pressure is applied in order to prevent tensions within the material. The high quality of the plate parallelism guarantees a synchronicity of 99.98% between mold, machine and automation. In addition, a few single-cavity pilot molds with and without IML decoration were also demonstrated. The production of a round 1100 ml container with the injection-compression molding process also impressed the invited guests. The round container featured an extremely high flow path/wall thickness ratio of 412:1 and showcased the impressive potential of the injection compression molding process.
