Two-stage hybrid presses get faster injection.

A new line of presses for precision small-parts molding has a new injection unit that increases filling by minimizing acceleration and braking times. The new Linear Direct (LD) Series (5 to 55 metric tons) from Sodick Plustech Co. Ltd. of Japan is sold here by Yamazen Inc., Schaumburg, Ill. Like previous Sodick machines, they have a two-stage injector with a fixed screw plasticator mounted at a "V" angle above a plunger injector. The plunger is powered by accumulator-assisted hydraulics and is controlled by a new LDV servovalve that needs no hydraulic pilot valve, plus a linear position sensor and new Windows-based TRD controller. Maximum injection rate is 450 mm/sec or about 50 cc/sec. Response of the valve is said to be at least 10 times faster than other servovalves that require hydraulic pilots, and injection plunger response time is reportedly 50 millisec. This injection system will also be offered as an option on Sodick's machines for LSR and rubber.

The clamping system is the same electric/hydraulic hybrid used on previous Sodick machines. Tel: [phone] * PTDirect: 437EB