Coming at K 2004: big presses & larger hybrids.

Several machinery developments will debut at K 2004 from the German parent of Demag Plastics Group Corp., Strongsville, Ohio. First, the company is rolling out a large-tonnage, two-platen hydromechanical line called the Titan, which will start at 1210 tons and range up to around 4400 tons when the line is complete in 2006. These will be built in Strongsville and will eventually replace the company's Caliber line. Features include wide tiebar clearances, with the tiebars anchored in the moving platen and locked in the stationary platen for tonnage build. The locking mechanism has been simplified compared with Caliber. Injection units and automatic mold-height adjustment are borrowed from the Caliber line.

Demag also is adding two larger models to its hybrid electric/hydraulic El-Exis S line for fast-cycling applications. The current 66- to 460-ton range will gain new 600-ton and 780-ton sizes suited to high-cavitation or stack molds while maintaining the fast cycling of the smaller presses. The new models have a linear bearing guidance system to support the moving platen. The El-Exis S typically uses an AC servo and hydrostatic gear combination for plastication and accumulator hydraulics for injection. But Demag is redesigning the smaller models (up to 460 tons) with a new direct-drive AC motor for plasticating. The direct-drive concept comes from the European version of Demag's all-electric IntElect series and delivers higher acceleration and less wear on the smaller models than the hydrostatic drive.

Meanwhile, last month, we reported here that Demag's Aftermarket Sales Group now offers replacement screws made of CPM 9V, a special wear-resistant alloy for processing filled resins. The screws are built entirely of CPM 9V--it is not a coating as was reported. Tel: [phone] * PT Direct: 325DH