The first of the new moulding machines will go to a Spanish automotive supplier

Italian injection moulding equipment manufacturer Italtech has introduced a new two-platen machine with 4,500 tonnes clamping force that is aimed at moulding of large parts in long fibre reinforced thermoplastics (LFRT). It claims that the new machine is unique in terms of its type, dimensions, clamping force and injection capacity.

The first such KS 4500-23000 machine, with a completely redesigned injection unit, has already been made for the first customer in Spain supplying the automotive industry. It is said to meet the customer’s demands for high-performance, precision, repeatability and rapid mould changing. The new machine is being tested now at Italtech’s headquarters in Brescia with new moulds for bumpers, grills and other large automotive exterior parts for commercial vehicles, prior to delivery of the machine to the customer.

According to Italtech, the machine “is among the most innovative production units for LFRT, its design and technological innovation unequivocally expressing new horizons in moulding of thermoplastic materials with long fibres”. Experience gained over the years, the company states, has enabled it to develop the fast acceleration and deceleration needed to guarantee sufficient protection of glass fibre. By using a special 180mm diameter plastification screw, Italtech maintains that perfect mixing and homogenisation of the material with a minimum of degradation of the fibre itself has been achieved, as well as short residence time that helps to preserve the polymer properties.