Pro Edge VG This Ewikon valve-gate system is ideal for injection molding with soft materials, like TPE and polyolefins, that previously could not be side-gated and that are prone to smearing at the parting line. The system is mechanically actuated, instead of thermally controlled. The valve-pin stroke and opening speed can be varied continuously and can be adapted to process requirements. Appropriate for medical parts, like eyedroppers and syringes, the system can be configured with up to eight tip inserts.
What’s new? The valve-gate system. According to Ewikon, the side-gating capabilities are unique.
Benefits Flexibility of use, precision, ease of maintenance and gate quality. The technology makes possible side gating on geometries and with materials where it was previously not possible, and it’s compact, allowing for minimal stack height. With mechanical actuation, the system is faster than those that require thermal shutoff, cutting down on cycle times. The process also is gentler on the material at the parting line. The flow channel layout within the nozzle guarantees equal flow paths and therefore uniform filling of all cavities; the layout also allows for mold stability and uniform cavity cooling. All wear parts such as the valve pin, valve pin guide and valve pin seal are integrated into one assembly for each gate. This can be changed directly on the injection molding machine from the parting line without having to dismantle the mold, reducing the time required for routine maintenance.
Ewikon Molding Technologies Inc., Rockford, Ill., 815-874-7270, www.ewikon.com
Karen Hanna | Senior Staff Reporter
Senior Staff Reporter Karen Hanna covers injection molding, molds and tooling, processors, workforce and other topics, and writes features including In Other Words and Problem Solved for Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing, Plastics Recycling and The Journal of Blow Molding. She has more than 15 years of experience in daily and magazine journalism.
