July 1, 2019 - Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery GmbH will unveil its fastest, most energy efficient, sustainable, data driven integrated machine line-up at K-2019. Presenting five machines, the company is continuing its focus on delivering “Precision. Power. Productivity” to plastic moulders globally.

Having reported another double-digit (13%) turnover increase after modernizing its production and sales approach last year, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag will unveil five energy efficient machines. In addition, the company will launch a new eMultiPlug innovation, showcase its technical capabilities in Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) moulding, plus provide an interactive area where customers can test out the latest smart diagnostic and support services using myConnect.

CEO Gerd Liebig comments: “Sustainability, productivity, energy resources, plastic waste, Industry 4.0, big data, automation -these have all been headline topics over the past ten years. As we race towards the end of the decade, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag is celebrating some significant milestones and showcasing how we are assisting moulders to tackle these topical circular economy and efficiency challenges.”

For Gerd, K-2019 marks the start a new era for plastic manufacturers. As well as new medical device and packaging legislation to comply with, European moulders have been contending with the plastic backlash, while attempting to navigate the circular economy, maintain business productivity, support the switch to eco-cars, plus factor-in labour skills shortages.

Despite the challenges, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag has continued to invest resources and R&D developing dynamic, high speed, sustainable and precise moulding machines. All will be unveiled in Hall 15, Booth D22.

Smarter customer support services

Industry 4.0 provides an opportunity for plastic manufacturers to obtain and act upon detailed insight gathered from machinery data. Through the use of connected devices, production managers can better manage inefficiencies, reduce costs, improve Total Cost of Ownership and minimize machine downtime.

At K-2019, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag will showcase the future of smart services, presenting a connected cell featuring remote disgnostics, online support, document tracking and spare part ordering. Visitors to K-2019 will be able to use connected terminals to see how myConnect software will enhance customer service and be a launchpad for future data-driven efficiency improvements.

Andreas Holzer, Director Customer Service at Sumitomo (SHI) Demag comments: “Not only have our moulding technologies advanced to a level that delivers fast cycle times, unparalleled process stability and market-leading energy efficiency, now we can offer customers end-to-end processing traceability and the ability to monitor and reconcile data from numerous machine sources. Machine uptime, productivity, traceability and decision making can all be enhanced by deploying real time visibility. In addition to enhancing customer service response times, this seamless connectivity will be integral to future productivity in moulding facilities worldwide.”

Two energy-enhanced El-Exis SP address the packaging agenda

Sumitomo (SHI) Demag is bringing two energy-enhanced El-Exis SP machines to K-2019 -a large and a smallerversion. According to the company, it consumes up to 20% less energy than its predecessors. Catering specifically to the packaging moulding markets, the high speed range ensures manufacturers never need to compromise on quality, production efficiency or sustainability, Sumitomo claims.

“Capable of delivering the lowest dry cycle times, the machines in the latest series have high process consistency and high energy efficiency,”explains Arnaud Nomblot, Director Business Development Packaging at Sumitomo (SHI) Demag.

Central to the machine's fast cycle time is the hydraulic accumulator, which achieves injection speeds of up to 1000 mm/s, Sumiotomo informs. This enables moulders to produce even thinner packaging items, the company claims.. The range is also one of the fastest machines in the market for injection dynamic. “The combination of speed with high quality moulding repeatability helps to minimise packaging production waste,”adds Nomblot.

High-tech touchfoil automotive consoles produced on new IntElect 500

To make driving more comfortable for motorists, at K-2019, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag will demonstrate a trailblazing, touchfoil interactive decoration for a vehicle console on an IntElect 500 being unveiled at the show.

Ranging now up to 500 tonnes, the new IntElect series combines precision, energy efficiency and much larger mould space, Sumitomo says. As a result of the big tie bar spacing, increase in mould height and opening stroke, the new IntElect models accommodates larger moulds, providing a less energy intensive machine for automotive applications that would previously have required a larger tonnage.

“All of the technological enhancements in the IntElect 500 are designed to give moulders the tools, machine synchronisation, mould safety and real-time production monitoring required for tomorrow’s automotive smart factories,”emphasises Henrik Langwald, Business Development Director Automotive at Sumitomo (SHI) Demag.

The future of LSR moulding

With the global silicone elastomers markets forecast to be valued at USD 9.34 billion by 2026 , LSR is fast becoming the material of choice for specific applications in the digital electronics and automotive segments.

Sumitomo (SHI) Demag will demonstrate its technical LSR know-how and the process of moulding light guides for a matrix light at K-2019 on a special IntElect 130. “LSR provides very good optical features, withstands high temperatures, offers high chemical and UV resistance and high electrical isolation capabilities, plus gives plenty of design freedom,” comments Thomas Kottler, Project Manager for LSR at Sumitomo (SHI) Demag.

“Moulding LSR requires high precision and process stability,” highlights Thomas. The latest IntElect systemsachieve extremely precise shot control with the low-viscosity material. Units feature a specially designed screw, ranging from 14mm to 45mm, a modified plasticising unit, a shut off nozzle specifically designed for LSR, and a spring loaded non-return valve to achieve the highest processing consistency, Sumitomo informs.

A new and innovative preferred partnership in the LSR market will be unveiled by Sumitomo (SHI) Demag closer to the exhibition.

Medical IntElect S - new era for cleanliness and sustainability

The IntElect S 180-tonne is another new machine being unveiled. Aimed squarely at mass manufacturers of medical plastic components, the machine has been specially built for extremely narrow tolerance applications requiring fast cycle times between 3 and 10 seconds.

Sumitomo says that the machine is cleaner, cooler, faster, quieter and more energy efficient. Also, the company assures that the layout of the mould space ensures the IntElect S is clear of contaminants, particles and lubricants. GMP-compliant, it’s suited for medical cleanroom environments. According to the manufacturer, the machine also has a longer lifespan, boosting Total Cost of Ownership for medical moulders.

Product manager Peter Gladigau confirms:“We have conducted extensive machine and part lifecycle durability tests for the IntElect S, comparing to equivalent all-electric injection moulding machines on the market. These tests have confirmed that the enhancements we have made to our high performance drives clearly increases the machines’ lifespan and consequently improves TCO.Even testing clamp spindles under the hardest conditions, there was no evidence of visible wear after millions of cycles.”

Plug and play kit for affordable multi-component moulding

Customers with existing Sumitomo (SHI) Demag machines can now extend their capabilities from a single moulding to a multi-component flexible operation with minimal investment costs. At K-2019, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag will unveil its latest innovation -the eMultiPlug.

Designed for plastic moulders who want the option of transforming their existing moulding system into a multi-component press, the eMultiPlug uses the same drive as the IntElect machine. As an independent unit, eMultiPlug can be retrofitted to an existing machine, making multi-component injection more cost efficient and feasible, Sumitomo claims.

“From an economical perspective, having the option to expand an existing machine’s capabilities is another way that supports flexible production and extends the lifespan of equipment,”adds product manager Peter Gladigau.

Depending on production requirements, eMultiPlug can be mounted onto the machine in a vertical or lateral configuration

Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery GmbH

The global development and production network of Sumitomo Heavy Industries and Sumitomo (SHI) Demag is comprised of four facilities in Japan, Germany and China with more than 3,000 employees. The product portfolio includes all-electric, hydraulic and hybrid injection moulding machines with clamping forces of between 180 and 15.000 kN. With more than 125,000 installed machines, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag is present in important global markets and ranks among the largest manufacturers of injection moulding machines in the world.

At Sumitomo’s headquarters in Chiba, Japan, the company manufactures machines with clamping forces in the small to medium range. Nearly 95 % of all delivered machines are equipped with an all-electric drive concept. Sumitomo (SHI) Demag’s German facilities in Schwaig and Wiehe produce the Systec Servo range with hybrid drive as well as the El-Exis SP and Systec SP range of high-speed, high-performance machines. The all-electric IntElect range for international customers is also being produced inGermany.

As early as 1998, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag set up its first production site in Ningbo/China. In 2015, the Chinese subsidiary Demag Plastics Machinery (Ningbo) Co., Ltd. installed a new facility with a 13,000 m² floor space. It is earmarked for the production of the Systec C range with clamping forces of between 500 and 10,000 kN for the Asian market.

In addition to injection moulding machines, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag offers customised and standardised systems for the part handling automation, technical and process solutions for special applications, tailored services and service concepts as well as a range of financial options to support investment in injection moulding machines.