German engineering prowess leads to new servo power savings

Introducing a new servo pump and energy recovery system, the El-Exis SP 420 Servo being unveiled at K 2022 (Hall 15, Stand D22) consumes less power, setting a new high-speed and sustainability benchmark for packaging manufacturers.

Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery GmbH, Schwaig – October 2022. Alongside the world premiere of the new packaging machine PAC-E at K 2022, German machine manufacturer Sumitomo (SHI) Demag will further demonstrate its sector proficiency and expertise by presenting the new El-Exis SP 420 Servo. Combining the outstanding performance characteristics of the El-Exis SP models, the range’s latest advancement introduces a servo pump and completely closed toggle lever, resulting in high energy savings and improved cleanliness for manufacturers of packaging solutions.

Arnaud Nomblot, Director Business Development Packaging, explains the significance of this development:  “With hybrid machines, in order to achieve the high injection performance, the pump that charges the accumulator consumes approximately 50 percent of the overall energy used to power every cycle. By replacing the conventional pump with a servo pump, we can now maintain the same performance but consume significantly less power.” As with the new PAC-E machine, cleanliness is optimised through the introduction of a fully-enclosed toggle lever.

Initially, the El-Exis SP Servo series will be expanded in the medium clamping force range, comprising  250 to 420 tons. Larger clamp force machines will subsequently follow. 

Sustainability displays

Exhibiting the machine’s speed and sustainability credentials to visitors at K 2022, the El-Exis SP 420 Servo on the main Sumitomo (SHI) Demag stand (Hall 15, Stand D22) will demonstrate in a six second cycle time the production of 500-gram butter and margarine containers, featuring IML, using a 4+4 stack mould supplied by Bazigos (Greece).  

Rather than using virgin polymer, for the El-Exis SP 420 Servo demonstrations Borealis (Austria) presents a fully recyclable material from the “Bornewables” portfolio that doesn’t compromise on performance. Demonstrating the viability of selecting circular PP solutions for packaging and the significant contribution that this can make towards reducing CO2 emissions. Other likeminded ecological partners include label supplier Karydakis (Greece), with Campetella (Italy) providing the IML and side removal automation.

In another sustainable packaging and eco-display, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag also features prominently  at the VDMA Circular Economy Forum. Located in the outdoor pavilion area, visitors will get to see an IntElect S 180 featuring an advanced IML process combined with MuCell technology producing hinged flip top lids for baby milk powder containers. Collaborating with packaging powerhouse United Caps, this special exhibit will reveal the application of a patented 3D visual effect to the lids developed by Coveris. Pagès Group supplies the corresponding automation. The lids are again manufactured using a material from the Borealis “Bornewables” range.

Fully integrated into the IntElect S 180 machine is Trexel’s MuCell foaming technology, reports Nomblot. The combination of weight reduction using foaming with the energy efficiency of the all-electric injection moulding machine underpins the Group’s Act! Sustainably strategy, affirms the Business Development Packaging Director. “As part of this ecological commitment, we are taking decisive action by stating all future innovations, machines and equipment from Sumitomo (SHI) Demag are now totally manufactured with this mission and the EU Digital Product Passport (DPP) in mind.” 

The IntElect S 180 appearing in the VDMA Circular Economy Forum also features the company’s web-based ‘myConnect’ software solution. Presenting critical data and decision making information in real time, this central platform offers a wide range of fully networked support services to help better manage inefficiencies and reduce machine downtime. It’s now been extended to include condition monitoring. “Using myConnect, customers can access machine documentation online and our service teams can connect to the machine online to troubleshoot and resolve any technical issues,” confirms Nomblot.

We cordially invite you to join our webinar about the success story which inspired our exhibit at the K2022 Circular Economy Forum, presented by Arnaud Nomblot, Director of Business Development Packaging at Sumitomo (SHI) Demag, and Mark Tomkinson, Communications Leader at United Caps.

Please register via this link: https://sdg.website/webinar

Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery GmbH

Sumitomo (SHI) Demag has shaped the development of the plastics industry from its very beginning. As a specialist for injection moulding machines for plastics processing, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag and its Japanese parent company are leading the industry.

The global development and production network of Sumitomo Heavy Industries and Sumitomo (SHI) Demag is comprised of four facilities in Japan, Germany and China with more than 3,100 employees. The product portfolio includes all-electric, hydraulic and hybrid injection moulding machines with clamping forces of between 500 and 15.000 kN. With more than 157,000 installed machines, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag is present in important global markets and ranks among the largest manufacturers of injection moulding machines in the world.

At Sumitomo’s headquarters in Chiba, Japan, the company manufactures machines with clamping forces in the small to medium range. Nearly 95 % of all delivered machines are equipped with an all-electric drive concept. Sumitomo (SHI) Demag’s German facilities in Schwaig and Wiehe produce the Systec Servo range with hybrid drive as well as the El-Exis SP and Systec SP range of high-speed, high-performance machines. The all-electric IntElect range for international customers is also being produced in Germany.

As early as 1998, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag set up its first production site in Ningbo/China. In 2015, the Chinese subsidiary Demag Plastics Machinery (Ningbo) Co., Ltd. installed a new facility with a 13,000 m² floor space. It is earmarked for the production of the Systec C range with clamping forces of between 500 and 10,000 kN for the Asian market.

In addition to injection moulding machines, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag offers customised and standardised systems for the part handling automation, technical and process solutions for special applications, tailored services and service concepts as well as a range of financial options to support investment in injection moulding machines.

With its comprehensive sales and service network of subsidiaries and agencies, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag is present in all major markets.