Hot-Runner News at K 2007

While a number of exhibitors at the “K” show in Dusseldorf are keeping their new entries under wraps until showtime later this month, some suppliers have released a few details on their new hot-runner components and controls.

D-M-E will introduce the Bacchus hot-runner system for crates and packaging. It has an integral filter that’s removable for cleaning without disassembling the hot runner, plus a double nozzle seal to prevent leakage. It’s for commodity materials and shots of 200 to 1000 g. It comes in four or six drops with one standard nozzle and through-hole or point-gate tips.

Also new from D-M-E is the Integrity line of affordable temperature controllers that can control complex systems with hundreds of zones. At half the size of other controllers, it boasts improved diagnostics and a new slaving feature that allows a zone with a failed thermocouple to be slaved to a similar zone to continue running under closed-loop control. A single connection for heater power and thermocouples prevents incorrect hook-up, and the bus-bar design simplifies wiring.

Hasco will introduce its Z3145 Valve Shot line of nozzles designed specifically for multi-cavity closures and packaging. The needle-valve system is said to guarantee simultaneous opening of the valve pins after a certain amount of pressure is built up. It processes polyolefins and PS in shot weights from 5 to 25 g.

HRS Flow Hot Runner Systems will roll out its new Fail Safe Screwed-In nozzle that screws directly into the hot runner. Standard heaters are replaced by single or dual coil heaters and perhaps dual thermocouples to guarantee continuity of production in the event of a fault. Thermocouple pockets are replaced by steel rings that hold the thermocouples in contact with the tip.

HRS Flow will present its new Electronic Leak Detector (ELD) control designed to detect and localize any kind of leak inside the manifold or nozzle. The mold-mounted system can spot a leak after one or two shots and alert the operator while automatically interrupting production to minimize damage.
Also new from HRS Flow is the Molding Optimization Manager, a multi-function controller for thermal regulation. It can display a 3D view of the hot-runner system and working temperatures.

Husky will introduce its expanded Ultra 350 nozzle line with new valve-gate and hot-tip options. This line is designed for use in hard-to-reach areas with nozzle distances as little as 18 mm and throughputs up to 30 g/sec. Husky will also unveil its Ultra 500 valve gate for high-pressure molding at up to 43,530 psi with tight-pitch spacing, making it suitable for consumer products and electronic components. A new back-to-back valve-gate option for its Ultra 500 and Ultra 750 provides shut heights less than 195 mm for up to 2 x 8 drops.

Mold-Masters will introduce its “next-generation” Master Series nozzles with an improved heat-conductive coating that reportedly helps provide a more uniform heat profile over the entire length of the nozzle. The nozzles also use four bolts for manifold connection and anti-rotation.