Arburg at the T-Plas: Freeformer and high-speed injection moulding machine

From 26 to 29 August, at the T-Plas 2015 in Bangkok, Thailand (Hall 101, stand C01), Arburg will present a high-end injection moulding machine as well as the Freeformer for additive manufacturing to cover the entire production spectrum from one-off parts to mass-produced items. While a high-speed Allrounder will demonstrate the cost-effective production of drinks bottle closures, a Freeformer will show the potential of the industrial additive manufacturing of functional parts as one-off items or in multi-variant small batches.

"With a hybrid Allrounder 570 H in the “Packaging” version, we will be presenting an injection moulding application designed for high volume production in the packaging industry at the T-Plas 2015. This efficient high-speed machine produces 24 water bottle closures in only three seconds," explains David Chan, Managing Director of Arburg Singapore and responsible for the entire ASEAN region. “The highlight on our exhibition stand this year will be the Freeformer. Using the Arburg Plastic Freeforming process, the innovative system additively manufactures design and functional samples from standard plastics based on 3D CAD data, without the need for a mould. We will demonstrate this based on the example of spray heads and gear cards."

Freeformer additively processes two components
The Freeformer initially melts conventional granulates in a plasticising cylinder, similarly to injection moulding. A second discharge unit can be used for an additional component, for example to produce a part in different colours, with special tactile qualities, or as a hard/soft combination. 

At the T-Plas 2015, the Freeformer will, for example combine a standard ABS granulate with a special support material. The supporting structures used during the additive manufacturing of the gear cards and spray heads for cosmetics containers can be subsequently removed in a water bath.

Packaging technology: Allrounder “Packaging” version
Specially for the production of screw caps, Arburg will present a hybrid Allrounder in the "Packaging" version at the T-Plas 2015. This efficient high-speed machine from the Hidrive series offers high productivity and reduced energy requirements for applications in the beverage industry. The exhibit, which features a clamping force of 1,800 kN and a size 800 injection unit, operates with a 24 cavity mould from Z-moulds. The high-quality closures weighing 1.25 grams are produced in a cycle time of around three seconds.

Source: Arburg