How To Choose The Right Hot Runner System?

When the decision has been made to incorporate a hot runner system into a mold, the question that promptly surfaces is as to what attributes must be taken into consideration? With the many independent suppliers in the market the types and choices of systems are often in resemblance with one system to another. In such a scenario how to opt for the right hot runner system, let’s find out.

Hot runner technology comes with diverse options. In order to accrue molding efficiencies and part quality benefits there are cases where price take precedence over application. Following are some hot runner features and supplier support aspects to consider before making a purchasing decision:

1. After Sale Service
 
In addition to sales, it is important to assure that whether the supplier offer product service, training and start-up assistance or not. These follow-ups are important for an effective installation.

2. Product Range Offerings

In order to achieve the optimum system for molding application and to maximize design flexibility, the supplier must offer an extensive nozzle range of hot tips, valve and edge gates, hot sprues, multi-tips, etc.

3. Resin Testing 

Check out for fully equipped resin testing or R&D facility in order to assist the OEM or mold maker in choosing the best hot runner system type. Furthermore, there should be a balance of resin flow, channel sizing and various other design capabilities to produce a thermally balanced hot runner system. In such a system runners are large enough to give a relatively small pressure drop through the system without causing too much residence time while casting an injection mould.

4. Ease of Maintenance 

At last, ease of maintenance defines the level of system’s sustenance. Your runner installation decision should answer the following questions:

• Can the gates be cleaned in the machine? 
• Can wear items such as nozzle tips, thermocouples and heater bands be replaced without removing the mold from the machine? 
• Can the valve stems in valve-gated systems be adjusted or replaced in the molding machine? 

All these tips are helpful while installing a hot runner system to enhance injection moulding processes. Use of a hot runner system can increase overall molding efficiency by reducing cycle time (easy maintenance), energy and material costs.

What Happened When Mould Making Met System Engineering?

By many, system engineering and mould making are referred to as two sides of the same coin. The discipline of applied science lets students invent new items and techniques for doing a particular job. Likewise, invention is the heart and soul of mouldmaking. Hence, there has to be some connection between mouldmaking and system engineering. Read on to explore...

An example to explain the close affair between systemized engineering and mouldmaking

At present, the market for trim panels that are used in a car’s interior is large.  Use of a high-quality injection mould is done to manufacture the best-in-class automotive trim panels. The plasticised trim panels for a car’s interior have to be both stylish and functional. Surfaces of interior automotive trim panels have to be appealing as finished panels become the Unique Selling Point (USP) for most cars.

 In addition, devotion as well as attention is given to a car’s instrument panel, dashboard, headliner, inner door panels, etc.  The trim panels have to be relentlessly redesigned to introduce freshness in a car’s interior. The mouldmaking for trim panels is complex, speedy and innovative.  Many trim panel mouldmakers bank upon the concepts of the discipline for being:-

•    Innovative
•    Fast paced
•    Able to carry out complex detailing

Mould designers who are and aren’t in support of system engineering

Most mouldmakers believe that system engineering must be left to the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Those mouldmakers who don’t want to tweak their working process never endorse system engineering.

Nevertheless, a few forward-thinking mouldmakers opine that a small, significant portion of system engineering will play a pivotal role in the overall business. The discipline helps in making the overall process of mouldmaking highly innovative. Further, every contemporary mould designer believes that the engineering principles help in expounding the scope of moulding. Also, mould designers require the discipline’s principles to manufacture injection-moulded parts in no time.

Let’s clear the air between systemized integration and engineering

Mixing the principles of system integration and engineering helps improve communication, thus, resulting in excellent mould manufacturing.  Let’s clear the difference of the meanings of the two terms.

•    Systemized integration

System integration helps in connecting actual/physical assets of a company. The process joins the entire factory floor system – machining, testing, assembly as well as packaging – that’s used in manufacturing. System integration is defined as the physical counterpart of systemized engineering.

•    Systemized engineering

The discipline is multifaceted. Mouldmakers use the engineering discipline to determine a client’s requirements in the very beginning (while designing development cycle) of the process.  Systemized technology helps mould designers understand requirements (technical as well as business) of a client.

The joining of systemized engineering along with integration is strategic. Blending the two approaches helps mouldmakers design high-quality injection moulds for ASB Machines and other specialized equipment.

Joining both the concepts with mouldmaking proves to lessen the complexity of the process. A moulding process’ complexity rises whenever technological shifts take place. Combining the principles of engineering and integration helps mouldmakers grapple with such dramatic technological shifts.

Future Of Injection Moulding Is Metal Injection Moulding

In the previous decade, both large and small injection moulding companies have witnessed shifting sands in the global business environment. Changes that tweak the moulding business environment are cost pressure from clients and relentless efforts to improve the productivity. Presently, more and more companies invest in cutting-edge tooling, automotive equipment and moulding machinery to gain competitive edge. Companies are hailing innovative, fresh assembly solutions at the moulding phase.

One such innovative moulding method is Metal Injection Moulding (MIM) that was introduced in the ‘70s. The beginning of MIM was a trifle shaky as the technology underwent several years of de-bugging. However, while ushering the 21st century, several moulding experts used the technology for overcoming their economic woes. 

Reasons that point MIM to be the future

•     The technique has a market of $ 1 billion per annum
•     The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of the technique is slated to be 20 percent
•     Such an exceptional growth of the technology is due to its cost-saving nature
•     MIM cuts down the wastage of raw materials, which is common in conventional moulding
•     The cycle time of MIM is reduced by 50 percent from that found in conventional moulding

MIM has become the primary growth factor for many technical players, belonging to firearm and medical sectors.  Also, the technology is accepted by Pet Preform Manufacturers in India churning out pet bottle moulds.




Which all sectors cherish MIM technique?

•  Several firearm manufacturers herald the technology for manufacturing high volumes of sophisticated  weaponry. The technology saves oodles of resources that could be otherwise spent over high-priced gunsmithing and machining.
•  Medical Equipment Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are utilizing the wonders of MIM   technique owing to its capacity to minimize cost.

The socioeconomic and microeconomic benefits of MIM make it an ideal solution to offer more value to clients.

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