By Ron Shinn
Stork Plastics Machinery is never shy about describing its injection molding machines (IMMs).
At the K show three years ago, a sign on one of the company’s IMMs claimed it was the world’s most energy-efficient hybrid. This year, a Stork official described the company’s new, all-electric 6600-3550 with 2K (two component) as the highlight of the whole K show.
The new IMM offers high performance for thin-wall packaging products. The key innovation enabling fast electric injection is a pair of low-inertia, electric motors driving a rack-and-pinion drive. This makes fast acceleration and deceleration possible.
Stork launched its first all-electric IMM line in March 2025. Clamping forces range from 254 tons to 1,121 tons. The newest machine in the line has a clamping force of 662 tons. The all-electric line is designed for flowerpots, pails, food packaging and other thin-walled products, the company said.
Stork said the combination of heavy-duty performance with all-electric precision makes the 6600-3550 unlike anything currently on the market. In addition to the mold filling performance provided by the fast injection acceleration, it achieves exceptional flow-length over wall thickness ratios.
The machine has improved platen stiffness, linear guides under the moving platen, and clamped toggle pins. Stork said the noise level has also been substantially reduced.
At K 2025, a 6600-3550 press produced a two-cavity, 5-liter PP pail with a handle and in-mold decoration in 5.9 seconds.
Injection speed is 450mm per second. Dry cycle time is 2.1 seconds. The screw is 72mm.
Stork stressed that the machine is designed to provide protection for the mold and reliably run 24/7 at short cycle times with low energy consumption.
The control system is Stork Injection Control (STIC). It is capable of correcting for material variations in real time. This is particularly useful when processing recycled material, the company said.
In addition to the new all-electric 6600-3550 press, Stork showed its 3300-1450 hybrid machine, featuring electric clamping, electric dosing and hydraulic injection.
Stork said the press features ultrafast injection speed capability along with improved platen stiffness, linear guides under the moveable platen and clamped toggle pins. Energy consumption is low, the company said.
The 3300-1450 produced silicone cartridges in an eight-cavity mold at the show.
Stork is based in the Netherlands.
Contact:
Stork IMM USA LLC, Swedesboro, N.J., 215-987-9665, www.storkimm.com
