Injection molding machinery maker HPM North America now is known as Yizumi-HPM Corp., incorporating its Chinese parent company's name for this market. On Oct. 18 and Oct. 19, officials showcased the company's new, 23,000-square-foot technical center in Iberia, Ohio, and Yizumi-HPM rolled out four models of injection molding machines. In conjunction with industry partners, the company also presented gas-assist and LSR technologies that can be used with its machines.
It is the broadest product introduction in the history of the company, which has evolved to focus more on customized presses. The four new models shown at the open house are the A5-N line, the modular DP-N series for the automotive industry, the customizable PAC-N series for packaging and the all-electric FE-N series.
"We want to be seen as a key supplier," said Bill Duff, GM, sales and marketing. "We have products that cover the whole gamut from 60 [tons] through the 3,500-tonnage range. "
The new offerings include 610-ton, 880-ton and 1,100-ton servo-toggle machines in the A5-N series. The "N," which accompanies each new series name, indicates the series is targeted for the North American market.
"We had a gap in that product, and now we can pretty much fill customers' requirements," Duff said. The machines are built in China by Yizumi, but they are designed exclusively for the North American market.
"There are features mechanically and electronically that are not sold in Asia," Duff said. "Even though they are built in China, they are built to our design, to the HPM criteria."
The features include bigger power units and safety features for the North American market. The Keba i2000 series control system now is standard on all of Yizumi-HPM's new machines. The Keba system on the A5-N series, for example, features a 12-inch color touch-screen display. It records and displays processing data graphically, allowing for more accurate online process analysis.
"It gives us the ability to support a common control, parts and software," Duff said. "If a customer wants to buy a small electric machine and a large-tonnage machine, they will have the same flavor to them. We felt that was important. With the Keba control, you're able to configure it depending upon whether it is for a small machine or a larger-tonnage machine. It just adds digital modules as you need more capability."
At the open house, an A5-N-series machine with 720 tons of clamping force was equipped with Linde's CO2 gas-assist system. Linde's system injects liquid CO2 into the core of the part; as soon as the pressure is released through the valving system, the liquid is converted to a gas that cores out the molded part. The CO2 assists in cooling. The system was molding a PC handle with a hollow middle.
The A5-N toggle series represents the next generation of the company's standard HST machine, which it is replacing, Duff said. About 70 HST machines are installed or on order throughout North America.
The company offers its DP-N series two-platen injection molding machine series in clamping forces ranging from 900 tons to 3,500 tons. The series is based on a German modular design, officials said. Per customers' requirements, machines can be configured for special processes such as injection compression, microcellular foam technology, carbon-fiber-based lightweighting technology, long-glass-fiber injection molding and multimaterial injection molding.
"The DP machine is targeted for applications in the auto industry," said James Zhang, GM of Yizumi's injection molding division. "Before, we only had a toggle machine in the market; now we have a two-platen. More and more, automotive industry customers can have a solution."
Examples of automotive products that can be made with the machine include grilles, lighting components and bumpers. The series can be used for non-automotive parts, too, including washing machine tubs, television frames, air conditioner panels and pallets.
Machines in both the A5-N series and DP-N series are supplied standard with T-slots for ease of mold mounting, which reduces the chance of wear to threads drilled into the platens. The knock-out pattern, or ejector pattern, conforms to the protocol from the Plastics Industry Association.
Yizumi has marketed a packaging-specific machine in Asia for about five years. The company now also has a series, the PAC-N, specifically targeting for the packaging market in North America. Each machine in the series is built to order to meet customer requirements. The design of the toggle mechanism is different to accommodate short strokes and high speeds. For example, the design of the toggle mechanisms is enhanced to allow for high-speed operation. The machines in the series also have an in-line injection unit for high-speed filling.
"If we only provided a standard machine, the customer would not be satisfied," Zhang said.
Yizumi-HPM also introduced its second generation of all-electric machines, its FE-N series, showing a model with 66 tons of clamping force. This series is offered in clamping forces from 60 tons to 300 tons. The company debuted its all-electric machines at NPE2015, and this is the next iteration.
In addition to the new series, Yizumi-HPM showed its HST2 series, along with equipment from other companies. RJG's CoPilot process monitoring system was at work on a standard 135-ton HST2, and LSR technology was displayed on an HST2 65-ton machine designed with a special barrel, nozzle and software. An Elmet elastomer dosing system and static mixer were at work on the 65-tonner. The pumping unit delivered the two-part material, and a ratio valve with a piston ensured a 50-50 material mix.
Angie DeRosa, managing editor
Contact:
Yizumi-HPM Corp.Iberia, Ohio, 740-382-5600, www.yizumi-hpm.com
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