The system will control 210 zones in a multi-layer PET preform mould

Moldflow has delivered its first 210 zone Altanium hot runner process control system, which will be integrated into a multi-layer PET preform mould. The system was supplied to co-injection system supplier Kortec; it also features Moldflow’s new Matrix intelligent operator interface.

Serge Jonnaert, vice president corporate marketing at the US firm, told PRW.com: “To the best of our knowledge, nobody has ever built anything this big.” He said: “Prior to the 210, we also built a 160-zone unit, several 140-zone units and even a couple of 108-zone mould mounted units. What is significant is the tooling continues to increase in size and complexity. With that comes the need for a technology that can scale, which is the case with Altanium.”

Executive vice president and general manager of manufacturing solutions Tim Triplett said: “Co-injection for multi-layer preforms requires exceptional melt control and process stability, especially when filling 144 cavities in one shot. Moldflow’s Altanium once again proves that it is unequalled in controlling complex, high cavitation hot runner systems.”

Altanium is a modular, small footprint hot runner control solution that can support from one to 384 zones. The modular control units can be used free-standing, mounted on the mould or alongside, behind or inside the injection-moulding machine.