Milacron Announces New Maxima Servo Injection Molding Machine

New Maxima Servo Injection Molding Machine Delivers Unprecedented Combination of Efficiency, Reliability and Part Quality Advanced design, lower cost provide total payback in as little as six months

Batavia, Ohio – Offering energy efficiency, reliability and part quality rivaling an all-electric – but at a lower price point – the new Maxima Servo Injection Molding Machine from Milacron Plastics Technologies brings the advantages of servo motor technology to plastics processing like never before.

The Maxima Servo is a hydraulic machine that saves energy by using a permanent-magnet servo motor in place of standard induction motor or frequency drive. It also provides more consistent part quality than competing servo-driven hydraulics, thanks to a unique 2-platen clamping system that applies pressure directly to the center of the mold instead of at the corners.

“As energy costs continue to rise, it becomes even more critical to give our customers as many options as possible for reducing these expenses,” said Brian Bish, Hydraulic Platform Product Manager for Milacron, a U.S.-based, worldwide supplier of plastics-processing technologies. “The new Maxima Servo line combines the energy savings of most all-electric presses, the small footprint and center tonnage cylinder of a 2-platen, with a payback, for the initial cost premium, in as little as six months.”

The Milacron Maxima Servo is available from 310 to 4400 tons, one of the widest ranges in the marketplace.

Servo Motor Technology
Traditional hydraulic machines are powered by an induction motor running at a fixed speed. By using a servo motor instead, the new Maxima machines can vary in speed from 0 to 3,000 RPMs in both directions. This provides fast response, high efficiency at low loads, extreme accuracy and repeatability. The servo motor also produces very high resolution, as rotation can be controlled by a fraction of an angle.

“Energy efficiency and repeatability are dependent on the method used to deliver the power to the machine axis,” said Bish. “The servo motor and gear pump of the new Maxima Servo machine provide superior precision and control compared to the induction motor and variable volume pumps, of traditional hydraulic machines.”

2-Platen Technology
Typical 2-platen designs use tonnage cylinders located at the corners of the platen. Exerting force on the corners “wraps” the platens around the centrally located mold, reducing clamping force behind the tool.

Milacron’s centrally located tonnage cylinder provides clamping force directly behind the mold, reducing platen deflection and concentrating uniform force across the mold surfaces. The benefit to the customer is reduced mold wear and superior force distribution across the mold’s parting lines.

Other Advantages
In addition to the servo motor and 2-platen system, the Maxima Servo derives greater efficiency, reliability and quality from innovative product design features including:

• An internal gear pump (in place of electro-hydraulic pump) that runs only when needed and requires less maintenance
• Low-inertia and highly dynamic speed control system
• Energy optimization and monitoring diagnostics
• Modular design

“We’ve worked closely with our customers to give them exactly what they were looking for in this new servo line,” said Bish. “We’re always looking to improve our offerings and are in the process of expanding this line even further in the weeks to come.”

Milacron’s Maxima Servo machines will be available globally. The company also offers hybrid versions of these machines.

Milacron LLC and its businesses are committed to being the leading suppliers of plastics-processing technologies and industrial fluids around the world. The people of Milacron’s companies know what matters in manufacturing, and every day, put this knowhow to work to help customers improve productivity, cut costs, increase energy efficiency, eliminate scrap and reduce cycle times. For further information, visit www.milacron.com.

Media: Please contact Christy Domanoski at (414) 274-3002, or cdomanoski@insidesh.com

Customers: Please contact Glen Anderson, VP and General Manager, Milacron, North America Injection Machinery & Global Extrusion at (513) 536-3300, or glenn_anderson@milacron.com