Arburg at the NPE 2018: Allrounder 1120 H celebrates American premiere

• Trade show highlight: new large machine, new design, new control system
• Market introduction: large machine with 730 US-tons (6,500 kN) clamping force also available in the US
• Visionary Gestica control system: significantly enhanced functionality

With the hybrid Allrounder 1120 H, Arburg has extended its clamping force range to 730 US-tons (6,500 kN). The new large machine in the new design and featuring the visionary Gestica control system will celebrate its American premiere at the NPE 2018, where it will be on view for the first time outside Germany. Since the presentation of the first prototype at the K 2016 trade show, the machine and control system have reached production maturity and the market introduction has begun: customers can purchase what is now the largest Allrounder.

“This expanded size of the Allrounder machine will be another critical step to our success and growth in the US market,” notes Friedrich Kanz, President & CEO of Arburg, Inc., Rocky Hill, Connecticut. “US molders have been asking Arburg over and over to continue producing larger machines, and of course we keep listening. Now, we have expanded our machine range significantly – e.g. the clamping force range increased by 30 percent. The market is clearly ready for this new Arburg machine size – the Allrounder 1120 H – and we expect the machine will be sold before it gets to NPE.”

The new large machine offers customers even more possibilities. The basic specifications include a clamping force of 730 US-tons (6,500 kN), 44.09 inch (1,120-millimeter) distance between tie bars and 41.33 inch (1,050-millimeter) maximum opening stroke, providing more space for larger molds. The hybrid Allrounder 1120 H combines the speed and precision of an electric toggle-type clamping unit during mold movements with hydraulic power and dynamics during injection.

Pioneering Arburg design

With the new design of the large Allrounder 1120 H, the focus was not only on aesthetics and a modern color scheme and shape, but also and especially on high functionality and ergonomics. The objective was to facilitate setup and the work sequences on the large machine. Examples here include the fold-up steps to the clamping unit and integrated LED light strips that indicate the operating status (machine runs, warning, fault). The generously dimensioned safety gate with linear guides enables simpler mold changes and improved robotic system entry. The service doors for the hydraulic, pneumatic, lubrication and cooling & temperature control systems also provide good accessibility. Operation of the machine can be carried out ergonomically without moving the head as the operating panel of the Gestica control system can swiveling and is height-adjustable.

“Smart” Gestica control system

The innovative Gestica control system has the same look and feel as smart mobile devices. Its operation is even more intuitive and efficient thanks to the operating gestures. With the “Easyslider” operating element, movements can be controlled with ease and precision during setup and are displayed via variable-color LEDs. Acceleration and deceleration can be controlled “with a swipe of the finger” along a bar at the edge of the screen. Further highlights include the 16:9, high-resolution, full-HD screen and industrial multi-touch technology.

In future, Arburg will integrate all familiar Selogica functionalities into the new control system generation step-by-step. At the NPE 2018, a “smart” Gestica control system will be presented, which features functions such as logs, graphics, quality monitoring and maintenance as well as a new topic-based navigation and interfaces to the Arburg host computer system (ALS).

Innovative turnkey solution

At the NPE 2018, the hybrid Allrounder 1120 H will be integrated in a sophisticated turnkey system. This impressively demonstrates Arburg’s comprehensive expertise in the automation and turnkey sector. As a primary contractor, Arburg supplies customized systems designed by the Arburg Inc. experts, who work closely together with the turnkey specialists at the German parent factory.

The NPE exhibit produces a folding step stool in the Arburg design in a fully automated process. The eight individual parts made from PP are produced each cycle in a single shot on a family mold. Handling is performed by the linear Multilift V 40 robotic system. With the aid of a six-axis robotic system and an assembly station, the finished step stool is assembled within the injection molding cycle. In this manner, a ready-to-use end product weighing 2.4 lbs (1,092 grams) is manufactured in a cycle time of 60 seconds.