A History of All-Electric Injection Molding Machines

1952 – Numerical control (NC) of machine tools established by MIT researchers using a Milacron milling machine

1959 – Electro-hydraulic pulse motor (an NC-controlled hydraulic servomotor) patented by Dr. Eng. Seiuemon Inaba of Fujitsu.

1972 – Fujitsu spins off its motor and NC control technology in a new company, FANUC (Fuji Automatic Numerical Control), with Dr. Inaba as executive vice-president.

1973 – World oil crisis prompts FANUC to develop a more energy efficient, all-electric servomotor, culminating in full development of NC servomotors by FANUC. MILACRON’s Machine Tool group becomes a major technology partner with FANUC.

1983 – MILACRON-FANUC begin a strategic partnership to develop a CNC-controlled all-electric injection molding machine.

1985 – MILACRON-FANUC introduces the jointly-developed ACT (AC Technology) all-electric injection molding machine at the National Plastics Exposition (NPE).

1990 – Third generation ACT “D” series introduced.

1994 – At NPE, MILACRON-FANUC introduces fourth generation called ROBOSHOT and MILACRON’s own US built line called ELECTRA.

1995 – Cincinnati Milacron introduces the Elektra 725 at K Show in Dusseldorf. The largest all-electric machine in the industry.

1997 – 30% of the 150 machines sold by MILACRON-FANUC at NPE are all-electric.

1998 – MILACRON announces US sales of all-electric IMMs surpass 400 units for the year, a 50 percent increase over 1997.

1998 – Elektron Technologies group of MILACRON introduces new POWERLINE series.

1999 – POWERLINE range is expanded to 220, 330, 440 and 550 tons clamp force.

1999 – Sixth generation ROBOSHOT i-series is introduced.

2000 – 70% of MILACRON-FANUC machine sales at NPE are all-electric

2000 – MILACRON–FANUC have sold more than 12,000 machines. Approximately one-third of sales are in the U.S.

2000 – Cincinnati Milacron displays POWERLINE 550 Packaging machine, 750 and 935 ton all-electric machines at NPE.

2002 – Seventh generation ROBOSHOT SiB (S2000iA)-series are introduced into the US market

2002 – Cincinnati Milacron announces manufacture and shipment of first all-electric NT1125 in North America.

2004 – Cincinnati Milacron designs 150mm 25:1 extruder for high throughput applications on all-electric POWERLINE Packaging machinery.

2005 – Cincinnati Milacron enhances packaging machinery capability with new “mini-PAK” injection unit for medium to high duty packaging applications.

2006 – Eighth generation ROBOSHOT S2000iB is introduced with highest level technology in the industry and completely new clamp, electronics design and software structure.

2006 – Milacron- Fanuc have sold more than 24,000 ROBOSHOTs

2006 – Over 700 POWERLINEs above 300 ton are installed in dozens of countries around the world.

2006 – Milacron introduces/manufactures and ships EPAK – the packaging industry’s first electric based high speed hybrid packaging machine in North America.

2009 – Cincinnati Milacron introduces POWERPAK® – a generation III packaging machine line at NPE in Chicago.