Wittmann Battenfeld Presents New SmartPlus
The highlight of Wittmann Battenfeld’s offerings at Fakuma 2021 was the display of the new SmartPlus ‘intelligent’ servo-hydraulic moulding machine, which brings a high level of cost-efficiency, energy efficiency and repeatability to customers.
The SmartPlus 180 exhibited at the Fakuma is the first model to be presented to the general public from a new machine series entirely based on the concept of the proven SmartPower series from WITTMANN BATTENFELD.
The name given to the SmartPlus machine series has been derived from its large number of ‘smart’ attributes, from the compact design of its machine body, its intelligent, energy-saving drive system and simple, central hydraulic clamping system, right up to injection control via a highly dynamic servo drive.
While the SmartPower was designed as a high-end solution in the area of servo-hydraulic machines, which can be configured with innumerable different equipment options, the SmartPlus will offer a limited choice of equipment and consequently cover the sector of standard applications. This is why it was decided to create a machine series primarily geared to less complex applications and with less need for equipment variance, without compromising on high-quality standards. These considerations led to the birth of, the SmartPlus. Here, ‘Plus’ stands for the added value this new machine series has to offer for the types of applications just mentioned.
The use of proven technologies and carefully selected options have made it possible to offer the SmartPlus with short delivery times and an excellent price/performance ratio.
The SmartPlus comes with the proven UNILOG B8 control system logic and the high-performance B8X hardware. These enable a higher clock frequency, shorter response times and higher repeatability in parts production, with user-friendliness and the familiar visualisation concept remaining unchanged. Like all other machines from WITTMANN BATTENFELD, the SmartPlus fully supports the integration of robots and auxiliaries under WITTMANN 4.0.
Of course, the SmartPlus is also equipped with the KERS energy recovery technology originally designed for the EcoPower. To enable processing of regrind without any problems in the interest of sustainable production, this machine is also offered with the HiQ Flow® application software, a program to offset the viscosity fluctuations which often occur whenever this type of material is being processed.
All SmartPlus plasticising/injection units are freely accessible, compact and swivel-mounted. The machines are all equipped as standard with a wear-resistant plasticising unit.
Another special feature of the SmartPlus is its further improved ‘Dive-on-Demand 2.0’ drive technology. It increases the machine’s response speed even more by a booster unit specially developed in-house, which enables a higher clock frequency. This drive unit is only activated as long as required for movements and pressure generation. During cooling times or cycle breaks for parts handling, the servo drive remains switched off and consumes no energy. In operation, ‘Drive-on-Demand 2.0’ is the basis for highly dynamically controlled machine movements and short cycle times.
Like the SmartPower, the SmartPlus is also available as an Insider production cell version with an integrated parts handling system, conveyor belt and protective housing permanently connected with the machine, furthermore as an Ingrinder model with an integrated sprue picker, vacuum conveyor and granulator.
The SmartPlus is currently being used for practical test runs on the premises of selected customers. From the fourth quarter of 2021 onwards, this machine will be made available in the first series with clamping forces ranging from 60 to 180-tonnes to an extended circle of customers.
The advantages of the new SmartPlus were demonstrated at Fakuma 2021 on a SmartPlus 180/750. This machine is equipped with the HiQ Flow® application software, the new CMS-Light condition monitoring system to monitor an extended range of service-relevant machine parameters and a GRAVIMAX G14 gravimetric blender. The automation system, using a PRIMUS 26T robot from WITTMANN, is implemented via an Easy Cell developed and manufactured by WITTMANN BATTENFELD Deutschland in Nuremberg. The Easy Cell requires no safety gate and thus takes up only a minimal amount of space beside the injection moulding machine. In spite of its compact design, customers receive the complete range of CE-compliant safety features.
On the SmartPlus 180/750, a hub-cap for lawnmowers will be manufactured from PP, using a mould supplied by Uralan, Germany. In the interest of sustainable manufacturing, the part will be produced from a mixture of virgin material with regrind. The HiQ Flow® software will be used to ensure adequate parts quality.
Wittmann Battenfeld
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