Thermal hot runner nozzle for direct side injection

The Molding Solutions strategic business unit of Barnes has expanded its portfolio of nozzles. In addition to the side valve gate nozzle “Edgeline” from Männer, Thermoplay can now also immediately offer a new, thermal side gate nozzle.

This new open side-gate TFS hot runner nozzle is available in radial or linear layouts (TFS-Radial and TFS-Linear). The TFS nozzles are particularly suitable for injection moulded parts requiring a cosmetic injection point and for parts for which the optimal injection position is from the side, i.e. at a right angle to the direction the mold opens. These include syringes, caps, tubes, medical sharps, as well as personal care, caps and closures, packaging products, electronic and technical components.

The TFS-Linear comes equipped with 2+2 or 4+4 parallel nozzle tips, with minimum injection point spacing of 16 mm. The radial design features hot runner nozzles with 1, 2 or 4 nozzle tips. Most commercially available polymers (PP, HDPE, HIPS, PMMA, POM, PC and many others) can be processed using the TFS design. A special feature of the linear side-gate TFS-Linear nozzle is its thermal expansion compensation system in the longitudinal direction.

The cylindrical sealed area between the nozzle tip and cavity ensures maximum reliability during the injection phase.

The attachment system makes both the radial and linear version remarkably easy to install or remove rapidly. The nozzle tips can be easily replaced or maintained in cold condition directly on the machine without disassembling the mold. First, the nozzle body is installed in the fixed-side (hot half) mold plate and then the nozzle tips inserted into the cavity. This procedure also offers the advantage of accommodating undivided mold inserts.

Special emphasis was given to the heating design in developing the new side-gate thermal nozzle. Without exception, all patented heating elements are developed and manufactured by Thermoplay using their proven in-house process.

Direct side gating means no sprue is necessary. This eliminates costs and effort related to removal of the sprue from the moulded part, for material and disposal or recycling. This means direct side gating without a sprue provides genuine added value to the process in terms of efficiency and handling. The thermal side gate TFS-Linear and TFS-Radial nozzles simplify planning, design and maintenance of compact molds.