Electrically driven EPS shape moulding machine

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German company Heitz built the world’s first EPS shape moulding machine, in 1957. The company says that its latest Archimed machine is designed to improve efficiency in the production of EPS moulded parts and claims that it delivers high energy efficiency, fast cycle times and high speed, all within a compact footprint. All machine operations, including the handling robot, are controlled by electric servo drive; both hydraulics and pneumatics have been eliminated.

Heitz Archimed 906 8 (photos: Heitz)

The control monitor incorporates the control settings for speed, acceleration and deceleration, and all of them are adjustable on-screen. An individual reset button for each drive returns operations to default settings. Heitz says that the machine’s electric power consumption is less than 0.75kWh, at standard vacuum operation. A display system for electrical energy management is available as an option, either as a separate unit or incorporated in the machine touch screen. All components are networked, which allows access as far as the electric drive and pilot valves by internal office LAN or Internet. The machine can be controlled by mobile devices, such as tablet or smart phone. Archimed is equipped with up-to-date Siemens components as standard.

All pressures for steam and air are electronically PID controlled, which, Heitz says, is the fastest way of achieving precise adjustment of steam and ejection pressure. All settings are adjustable onscreen; once again, a reset button for each regulator returns operations to default settings. In the pursuit of energy efficiency, back plates are made of advanced reinforced plastic and heat as well as pressure resistance is adjusted to the requirements of EPS processing. Thermal conductivity of this plastic is approximately 1/1,000th (0.001%) of aluminium.

The ejector plate within the steam chamber actuates the side ejectors, either by an ejector bar or hydraulic cylinders.

Ball-bearing linear guiding systems and recirculating ball screws enable all mechanical components to be smooth-running; movements are virtually silent. The moving table is secured by four-point locking on the outer edges; locking forces are claimed to be well in excess of demand. The Heitz quick mould changing system is designed and structured to enable fast changeover by a single operator, in order to save labour costs and cut downtime.

Several frame heights – and a spacer frame – enable steam chamber depth to be varied. The spacer frame can be assembled to the rear of the fixed steam chamber. The machine’s standard stroke is 1,250mm but other stroke specifications are available. The moving table’s drive is limited solely by the machine length.

Interlocking system

The handling robot is constructed in a modular aluminium profile system. The stacking table remains stationary; the robot moves through the vertical axis and utilises energy recovered from downward movements. The robot is equipped with a perforated plate for multiple positioning options for the suction caps. Vacuum is generated by a pneumatic pump, located next to the perforated plate. The pump is connected directly to the manifold. Safety gates are also made of aluminium, which helps to minimise the total weight of the complete unit.

Handling robot, showing the fixed frame

www.heitz.de

EPS · K2013

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Eps Moulding Machine