Suction blow moulding for 3D parts

The Aspi range of 3D blow moulding machine will be exhibited by ST Soffiaggio Tecnica at the K 2013 (stand B04, hall 14). It is specially dedicated to the production of technical parts for the automotive and "white appliance" industries. Taking advantage of the "Suction Blow Moulding" technology, the Aspi machines allow the production of parts with very complex 3D shapes, minimizing scrap, which is significantly higher in 2D conventional technology.
The latest evolution of this range of machines is the model Aspi 150.2 equipped with a tiebarless clamping unit up to 20 tons, an extruder with 70 mm diameter and 2-litre accumulator head. The mould area is completely free from any obstacle, thus facilitating production and mould mounting operations and reducing set-up times. Both the extruder and the head are designed for handling all types of materials: polyolefins (HDPE, PP) and engineering polymers (PA6, PA66, TEEE, PPA, PPS), also filled with glass fibre. These materials can be processed at temperatures up to 350°C.
As regards the technical innovations adopted on the new model, the safety guards with polycarbonate "panels" and windows instead of grids, as well as the horizontal coverings of aluminium instead of painted iron improve both the safety and the appearance of the machine. The extraction gripper with lateral entry features a pneumatic vertical movement; a digital encoder has been installed for position reading instead of limit switches. In addition, the machine is equipped with an oversize mechanical rack synchronism for platen locking with special coverings for greater protection. Instead of linear potentiometers with mechanical sliding motion, the new model incorporates magnetostrictive transducers. Furthermore, the energy-saving hydraulic circuit has a pressure transducer for air filter clogging control with integrated alarm. The accumulator head is equipped with the new 4WDS radial thickness control system with four actuators. Thanks to its 500 control points it ensures uniform wall thickness even on the most complicated parts.