Beta trials to begin next month, says company at Antec.

Xaloy, the US manufacturer of plastics machinery, is close to commercialising an induction heating system for injection moulding machine barrels. Called INDX, the technology offers reduced energy consumption and improved controllability.

Beta trials are due to start at three US moulders next month ahead of a planned public launch at the K2007 show in Dusseldorf in October. Xaloy’s business manager for INDX technology, Bruce Taylor presented the detailed findings of its own in-house tests at the Antec conference in Cincinnati, USA, this week.

The technology features a thermal insulating sleeve between the barrel and the helical induction coils, which are connected to a 10-30 Hz power supply. These create heating within the barrel wall through induction. A number of independently controlled coils and their power modules can be placed along the barrel to achieve the required temperature profile.

Because the heat is generated within the barrel itself, which is insulated by the sleeve, the process is very energy efficient. Taylor reported average power savings of 69% compared to traditional band heaters in trials with a variety of materials. In addition, the wall of the heating system is cool to the touch, improving safety, and they are likely to require minimal maintenance, reducing machine downtime.

Taylor was also keen to stress the benefits in terms of controllability that induction technology provides compared to barrel heaters. They offer fast start-up and quicker response, along with improved uniformity and faster overshoot recovery. In addition, Xaloy claims that INDX’s high heating capacity is suitable for high-temperature plastics and its symmetrical heating pattern will improve melt consistency.