Approximately ten percent shorter dry run time

The new assist system iQ motion control shortens the opening and closing of the mold. Cycle times can thus be reduced.

The better the movement sequence, the higher the performance capability. With iQ motion control, ENGEL has developed an assistance system that automatically optimizes acceleration phases, allowing for faster movements. What is already possible for the viper linear robots will also be available for injection molding machines at K 2022. In high-performance applications, cycle times can be significantly shortened, strengthening competitiveness.

In fast-running applications, the time required for the injection molding machine to open and close the mold is a significant part of the cycle time. Like a robotic arm, the movable tool clamping plate of the injection molding machine does not simply move up and down but follows specific movement points. These divide the movement into phases, and the key to optimization lies exactly here. For each phase, the iQ motion control software calculates the optimal acceleration for the respective machine setting.

Optimal movement for every application

The basis of the calculation, in addition to the set tool stroke and clamping force, is the tool weight. The optimization is carried out automatically by iQ motion control at the push of a button. The software optimizes the acceleration phases and thus increases the speed of the tool clamping plate. This enables faster demolding and results in a shorter cycle time.

For this performance increase, the injection molding machine does not require additional energy. No higher connection capacities are necessary. The software simply fully utilizes the existing potential of the machine and drive technology without increasing the loads on the machine and drives.

When adjusting the opening stroke or changing a tool, for example, the movement ramps are often not optimally set under time pressure, or a reserve is maintained due to different tool weights. With iQ motion control, both are a thing of the past. Regardless of which parameter changes, the optimal path movement is always calculated by exploiting the physical limits, thus achieving the shortest cycle time.

Live at K in the packaging production

How iQ motion control works in practice will be demonstrated by ENGEL in Düsseldorf at its trade fair booth in Hall 15 with a demanding packaging application. On an ENGEL e speed injection molding machine, 125 ml round containers are produced from rPET using thin-wall injection molding and in-mold labeling in a four-cavity mold. These containers are used for food packaging. Accordingly, the cycle time is critical for the producer’s competitiveness. Analysis of the cycle time showed that the opening and closing of the mold account for a particularly high proportion of the total cycle time in this high-performance application. Without iQ motion control, the time needed for mold movement is 1.27 seconds. With iQ motion control activated, the machine only needs 1.12 seconds for mold movement. This corresponds to a time saving of twelve percent. Overall, the cycle time is reduced by five percent, from 3.15 to 3 seconds.

For new machines as standard and also retrofittable

iQ motion control will become a standard feature on all new electric toggle injection molding machines of the ENGEL e-cap and e-speed series and can be retrofitted on older machines. e-cap and e-speed injection molding machines are used in high-performance applications in the packaging and medical technology industries. With iQ motion control, these machines achieve approximately ten percent shorter dry cycle times.