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Machine Building Components
News Release from: Spirex Plasticating Systems and Solutions | Subject: Twinshot systems
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 09 May 2003
Coinjection technology finds growing
acceptance
Acceptance of the innovative Twinshot coinjection technology is growing rapidly among injection moulding equipment OEMs.
Acceptance of the innovative Twinshot coinjection technology is growing rapidly among injection moulding equipment OEMs Van Dorn Demag became the first OEM, this past year, to incorporate the Twinshot multimoulding technology in new machines, from its Cadence Series to its large tonnage Caliber Series
Van Dorn Demag's Moulder Action Network will also use the Twinshot system.
Spirex has installed the Twinshot system on a machine in the Network's Process Solutions Centre, and on a Van Dorn Demag machine located in the Spirex Technical Centre in Youngstown, Ohio, allowing for customer demonstrations, training and trials at both locations.
Already during 2003 Negri Bossi has announced that it will make the multimaterial moulding system available on all its new injection moulding presses.
Toshiba Machine has also agreed to make Twinshot available on all its hydraulic and electric injection moulding machines.
The Twinshot process enables a conventional machine with a single barrel and screw to inject two materials in one operation, with one material totally enclosing the other.
Plasticising occurs on the single screw with a two-stage design.
Starve-feeding controls the ration of materials in one or both of the screw stages.
Materials can be commodity resins, engineering resins, or a combination.
According to Spirex president, Paul T Colby: "We have experienced interest in the Twinshot process from OEMs throughout the world.
The reason, we believe, is that for coinjection there's nothing else on the market with the capability, simplicity and efficiency of Twinshot.
As we focus on providing customers with complete systems solutions we are pleased that Twinshot is being recognised as a prime opportunity for optimising plasticating processes and maximising profits".
Scott Kroeger, Marketing Director for Van Dorn Demag echoes those comments: "We're constantly seeking new technologies that will help our customers improve their products, even offer new ones, while reducing their costs and enhancing their productivity.
By simplifying the multimaterial encapsulation process and cutting material costs, the Twinshot coinjection system meets our goals".
Larry Pascucci, General Manager at Negri Bossi makes similar remarks.
"Negri Bossi is always keen to provide its customers with cost-effective cutting-edge technological solutions for moulding applications.
The Twinshot single-screw coinjection system does just that and more.
It allows the moulder to simplify coinjection equipment requirements, eliminate the need for additional space and reduce the cost of manufacturing".
"This additional equipment option gives Toshiba Machine one more benefit to better serve our customers", adds Tim Glassburn, Vice President of Sales at Toshiba Machine.
Among the many benefits of the Twinshot process is its ability to: encapsulate low cost material, including off-spec, regrind or recycled material with up to a 30% savings on material costs; encapsulate foamed material, thus reducing sink and warp and improving strength-to-weigh ratio; produce soft touch parts in a single moulding operation; encapsulate reinforced materials within a cosmetic surface; and easily convert to single-material mode, by simply supplying the same material to all feeder hoppers.
Other advantages of the Twinshot design include: simultaneous material extrusion, leading to extremely fast recovery time; independent heat control on the two melting zones; a rugged design; and easy screw and barrel installation and removal.
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