ELECTRICAL and POWER V produce calipers in the highest precision

Fully electric injection molding machine ELETTRICA (Photo: LK IMM)

Servo-hydraulic injection molding machine POTENZA (Photo: LK IMM)

Caliper made of polycarbonate (Photo: LK IMM)

Stefano Riva (Photo: LK IMM)

Stefano Riva (54) has been leading LK IMM Europe – LK Srl, Travagliato (BS), Northern Italy – the injection molding machine division of the Hong Kong-based machinery group L.K. Machinery International Limited, as Regional Manager Europe since July 2024, guiding it into a prosperous future. Riva has worked for several years in responsible positions at Negri Bossi and is well-versed in the sales and service requirements of the European injection molding machine market: "The Fakuma world – around 1000 km in the vicinity of Lake Constance – is the core of our workplace for me and my team, where we will intensify the promotion of the LK IMM brand. In the foreseeable future, we will also report on further collaborations with renowned regional and local sales and service partners," says Stefano Riva.

During FAKUMA, LK IMM is producing the two parts of a polycarbonate caliper gauge on two injection molding machines (SGM), each equipped with a hot runner multi-cavity tool: "For measuring instruments, the highest precision is of course essential – ideally zero defect rate and minimal tolerances – and LK IMM demonstratively proves this during the fair," Riva names the child by its name and adds that the two precision parts are normally assembled by two robots in an industrially realistic operation.

POTENZA V (5th Generation): The servo-hydraulic LK IMM toggle injection molding machine of the advanced POTENZA V series with 2,000 kN clamping force produces the moving part of the caliper gauge. Despite the machine's convenient tool clamping size of 150 to 480 mm and a maximum opening stroke of 840 mm on the 670 x 670 mm platens, LK Hong Kong and Stefano Riva agreed on a small multi-cavity tool to keep the polycarbonate consumption ecologically within limits. The exceptionally low price of this injection molding machine (SGM), its proven low energy consumption – "Green Pack" – supported by infrared heating bands – and its smooth operation and productivity will make visitors think. The new Regional Manager defined the essential productivity as follows: "With our SGM, we meet the highest European demands and standards: few shots to the first good part, fast and reliable, with low maintenance effort, while maximizing savings on costly energy and minimizing pauses for tool changes and routine maintenance." Continuous performance, accuracy, and environmental protection distinguish this SGM, whether used for automotive, packaging, logistics, or medical technology, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, optics, and electrical/electronic industries, and all sectors that cannot exist without top-quality standards. The documented zero-defect rate is always in focus. The advanced control system from KEBA is well-suited for complex processes – yet quick, intuitive, and easy to operate. It includes options such as integration of special peripheral functions like hot runner, temperature control, cascade control, etc., and various measurements. Additionally, the system features Euromap 67 and, if needed, OPC-UA interfaces. LK IMM’s entire injection molding machine program is Industry 4.0-ready. Production can be controlled, regulated, and traced with the KePlast EasyNet 4 system.

ELETTRICA (clamping force range 1,000 to 3,500 kN): The fully electric ELETTRICA EL130T is precisely aimed at cleanroom technology – for multi-layer production of precision parts for medical devices, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, optics, and electrical/electronic sectors, with documented zero-defect rate and proof of energy savings. The SGM is equipped with a range of valuable features: The comfortably designed process control, INNOVANCE, offers rapid access to thousands of secured manufacturing parameters that can be reactivated at any time for subsequent production. This guarantees absolute repeatability. During FAKUMA, the 1300 kN SGM produces the polycarbonate shaft of the caliper gauge in a small multi-cavity hot runner tool. The highly efficient fully electric drive of the SGM successfully measures up to international performance standards and the latest technology. Its quick response, energy savings, ecological benefits, high repeat accuracy, resilience, and ease of operation are among its advantages. Without hydraulic oil or oil residues, without sealing problems, and noise-free, it is ideally suited for use in cleanroom production facilities. Moreover, parallel movements – via individual servo motors – reduce cycle times. Synchronous multi-axis movements, ejector, and measurement functions bring the cycle time of the smallest ELETTRICA to less than two seconds. An open platform operating system supports intelligent networking, user-friendly programming, and comfortable automation. "The overall benefit for the user is higher productivity at lower unit costs," states Stefano Riva.