Arburg: 3-component Allrounder Cube: Compact and efficient cube-mould technology

Lossburg, 6 October 2022

At the K 2022 trade fair, a particularly innovative application in terms of cube-mould technology can be seen at Arburg stand 13A13, where an automated three-component Allrounder Cube 1800 will be producing a functional component from PP, TPE and POM using an 8+8+8-cavity cube mould from partner Foboha. The finished moulded part is produced directly in the mould thanks to assembly injection moulding. Mould filling, cooling, part removal by a six-axis robot and other assembly steps including capping in the gripper take place synchronously.

The K exhibit is a current customer project and a successful example of how maximum output can be achieved in a minimal footprint.

Compact cube, new turning technology

The compact Allrounder Cube 1800 three-component cube machine with a clamping force of 1,800 kN is particularly well suited to smaller cavity numbers. The exhibit works with three injection units in sizes 70, 170 and 70. At its heart is a compact cube from partner company Foboha, which is easily accessible from above. The 8+8+8-cavity tool with two index platens on each side of the cube features the new CITI technology. CITI stands for „Cube with Integrated Turning Inserts“, an index technology patented by Foboha.

Eight functional components can each be produced with the 8+8+8 cavity cube mould in a cycle time of around 9.5 seconds. First, a frame made of PP is injected on the moving nozzle side. The cube rotates 90 degrees, then the pre-moulded parts are turned 180 degrees by the CITI technology and, after another 90-degree cube rotation, a TPE seal is applied on both sides and a functional element made of POM is moulded on.

Final assembly directly in the gripper

A six-axis robot integrated in the control system removes all eight parts from the mould at the same time. Final assembly takes place directly in a gripper from Arburg’s partner Kiki in a five-step process that takes just four seconds, with no effect on the cycle time. The ready-to-use products are finally deposited on a conveyor belt.

Innovative cube-mould technology from Arburg

Depending on the circumstances, one Allrounder Cube can replace several conventional injection moulding machines and reduce the overall footprint by up to 75%. Innovative cube-mould technology significantly reduces cycle time. In addition to efficient high-volume production in the packaging and medical technology industries, compact cube machines such as the Allrounder Cube 1800 are also increasingly being used for the production of technical parts and smaller quantities.

About Arburg

German family-owned company Arburg is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of plastic processing machines. Its product portfolio encompasses Allrounder injection moulding machines with clamping forces of between 125 and 6,500 kN, the Freeformer for industrial additive manufacturing and robotic systems, customer and industry-specific turnkey solutions and further peripheral equipment.

Arburg is a pioneer in the plastics industry when it comes to production efficiency, digitalisation and sustainability. The “arburgXworld” program comprises all digital products and services and is also the name of the customer portal. The company’s strategies regarding the efficient use of resources and circular economy, as well as all related aspects and activities, are outlined in the “arburgGREENworld” program.

Arburg’s central aim is for customers to be able to produce their plastic products, from one-off parts to large-volume batches, in optimum quality at minimum unit costs. The target groups include, for example, the automotive and packaging industries, communication and entertainment electronics, medical technology and the white goods sector.

An international sales and service network ensures first-class customer support at a local level: Arburg has its own organisations at 34 locations in 25 different countries and, together with its trading partners, is represented in more than 100 countries. Its machines are produced exclusively at the company’s German headquarters in Lossburg. Of a total of roughly 3,500 employees, around 2,900 work in Germany. About 600 further employees work in Arburg’s organisations around the world. Arburg has triple certification, in accordance with ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 14001 (environment) and ISO 50001 (energy).

Further information about Arburg can be found at www.arburg.com