Sumitomo (SHI) Demag gets ‘active’ with upgrades

Sumitomo (SHI) Demag UK has unveiled three major ‘active’ innovations it says are designed to reduce energy consumption, increase reliability and enhance performance.

Sumitomo (SHI) Demag will now introduce activeServo, a new servo drive hydraulic pump, on its Systec hydraulic injection moulding machines. The company says the technology enables a 50 percent reduction in energy consumption and has been proven to significantly lower heat and noise outputs.

The new pump, which is said to feature improved control properties and process dynamics, works in a similar way to stop-start technology in a car, whereby the motor runs only when needed using the minimum amount of energy required.  Sumitomo (SHI) Demag UK  says that unlike a variable delivery pump, which uses the swashplate angle to control the outlet flow, activeServo is able to completely shut off the motor when there are no flow demands.

“We’ve created a pump where oil flow is controlled precisely by changing the speed that the motor turns,” explained David Raine, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag UK’s Technical Sales Manager. “The advantage of this is that when the machine doesn’t need any oil, the pump stops and the machine doesn’t consume energy. This is hugely important for applications where equipment is idle for large periods of the cycle. This upgrade has closed the gap between hydraulic and electric efficiency.”

The firm has also introduced upgrades to its IntElect Smart machine range, specifically the activeFlowBalance and activeLock systems, both of which can reportedly be retrofitted and are said to be particularly suited to precision moulding applications. Since their launch, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag UK says these upgrades have delivered significant improvements in process optimisation and product quality.

While activeFlowBalance is currently only available on the Intlect Smart machines, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag UK is planning to realise it on its Systec Servo machine in mid-2013. “The activeFlowBalance function represents a huge technological advance,” continued Raine. “It can be used for injection processes that have a sensitive transition from injecting to hold pressure; a wide range of applications will benefit.”