| Krauss-Maffei unveiled a range of AX all-electric drive injection moulding machines at its Munich headquarters yesterday and gave a live demonstration of a 100-tonne model.
The 50 to 350 tonne AX range has been designed using drive technology from Toshiba Machine under a cooperation agreement with Toshiba (PRW.com, 19 February 2008). It is aimed at standard electronics, medical and packaging applications.
The AX will be marketed initially in Europe and the USA due to KM’s market position, said Karl-Heinz Bourdon, md of KM’s injection moulding machinery business. Bourdon added that it will also be offered worldwide at a later date.
AX all-electric drive injection moulding machines range
KM ceo, Dietmar Straub, added that both the Elion all-electric machine from KM’s Netstal subsidiary in Switzerland and the existing EX all-electric machine range from Krauss-Maffei are being retained alongside the AX.
Straub said that the AX gives moulders access to a fairly priced but yet both solid and adaptable all-electric injection moulding machine. He added that range can include integration of automation in the control system and that has low operating costs.
Bourdon said that complete production cells based on the AX save 25% space saving over convention cells. He told PRW.com that there is still has a premium of around 20% against standard all-hydraulic machines.
However, he added: “This should reduce with economy of scale. But it is the low operating cost that is of interest today, particularly with rapidly increasing energy prices”.
Three AX machines from the middle of the clamping force range will be shown on KM’s stand at the Fakuma fair in October as commercially available 80, 100 and 180 tonne models. But Bourdon revealed to PRW.com that “we want to have the full range in the market by the end of 2009”.
Md for production and technology Dr Otto Urbanek, pointed to typical KM features of the same interchangeable plasticising units as on CX and EX machines, the MC5 control system and mould movement.
He also pointed our its lightweight 5-point toggle clamp, 80% lower friction operation with platen guides on ball bearings for low mould wear, high dynamic performance and recuperation of electricity from braking energy.
These, he said, all contribute to up to 75% energy savings over comparable hydraulic machines. |
