NIIGON Up to 192 cavities with only 2 machine models Up to 6 stages of post-mold cooling Lowest preform drop temperature Lowest energy consumption Lowest water and air consumption half that of competing systems Reliable preform transfer every cycle Robot x-axis assists transfer Compatible with legacy tooling Quick mold and tooling change Patent pending mold cleaning technology Industry 4.0-ready
About us As a family-owned company with employee shareholders we are committed to supporting our customers for the long term. We build machines only customized with pre-engineered options and work with mold makers to provide the best solutions. Our Toronto manufacturing facility features: Just-in-time production. Extensive IT infrastructure. Integrated team of Engineering, Procurement, and Manufacturing. The NIIGON machine line provides: The industry's most rigid base and most accurate platens Extended mold life Energy efficiency as good as, or better, than all electrics The smallest floor space unobstructed for cleaning under the machine Clean integration of mold services with all connections at the injection end Machines are backed by: A 5-year warranty A spare parts policy allowing direct purchase of non-oem parts from suppliers Commissioning support, training, and courtesy visits Plant layout assistance On-line support for process assistance and trouble-shooting Regional Sales and Service supported by Engineering
Injection PET preform molding machines incorporate twostage injection units with screw and plunger diameters from 85 to 120 mm. Reciprocating screw injection is available for lab/testing applications. Servo motors Reciprocating 25:1 screw Rotary transfer valve Stationary gearbox Hydraulic injection Static mixer (optional) Ejector Maximum force of 650 kn 500 mm/s ejection speed (electric) or 700 mm/s (hydraulic) Any combination of conventional and legacy ejector patterns electronically switchable 3
Post-mold cooling Internal preform cooling on transfer pin Preform exit temperature below 55 C First cooling station (MONO) Robot Transfer station (air cooling) Second cooling station (DUO) identical to first Multiple cooling stages Testing has shown a 6-stage (DUO) setup lowered preform out-of-mold temperature by more than 60%. This eliminates defects such as touch marks and prevents thread ovalization due to latent heat in bulk box. 4 % Temperature reduced EOAT transfer valve Number of cooling stages
Robot Air and water manifold Cooling plate X-axis motion Carriage plate Single tooling protection sensor minimizes setup time (reflector on robot, sensor on transfer station) Cooling plate Up to 3 sets of cooling tubes Maximum 6 cooling stages with DUO (depending on horizontal mold pitch and maximum part diameter) Check valve restricts air flow Balanced air pressure distribution at a higher threshold Energy efficiency Flow-balanced water circuit Uniform heat removal Temperature differential between individual cooling tubes less than 5 C Improves cycle time Air-assist and mechanical-assist end-of-arm tooling 5
Preform cooling and transfer Mechanically assisted preform transfer is especially useful for preforms with draft angles under 0.25. The robot s preform-specific x-axis motion assists transfer of wide-mouth preforms from mold to robot without losing alignment with the cores. Transfer pins cool the inside of preforms. The EOAT transfer valve allows quicker preform transfer and features: Independent control (high/low vacuum and pressure with off-function) Fast and simple assembly / service Diagnostic pressure ports for each cooling stage Access and tooling change A tooling crane travels the entire length of the safety gates. Access to the injection unit is made easy by a service platform that travels along the entire length of the injection base. The machine-integrated hot runner controller with up to 132 zones is easily accessible and controlled from the machine HMI. 6
Multi-layer preforms NIIGON PET machines are built for customization so they can accommodate any mold. For example, machines equipped with the cube option provide the lowest cost of ownership and the highest output per capital for multi-layer applications. Maximum cavitation up to 96 + 96 cavities Lowest energy consumption Use of standard hot runners and standard cold halves Accepts micro-pitch molds This is achievable with minimal operator training, as these machines can be run with a standard skill set. Barrier PET Option #1 Barrier layer on inside Barrier layer molded first (inside layer) Option #2 Barrier layer on outside PET layer molded second (overmolded layer) 7
LIGHTSOUT TM A demonstration site for unattended PET preform production has been set up in our facility. This system highlights the research, consulting, and industrial design services Athena Automation can offer its customers. PET LIGHTSOUT development projects: Auto start-up and shut-down Cycle completion Emergency shutdown Goal of mold change in less than 1 hour with split gate technology LIGHTSOUT capability with automatic product handling Benefits: 8 Reduced cost of ownership Highest up time Reduced maintenance Reduced energy consumption
Prototyping equipment We support our customers with prototyping and production simulation. 150 ton machine with RS36 injection 2 cavity mold configurable with MONO and DUO I or II take-off Prototype stacks from 28 120 mm finish Preform inspection system 9
Specifications 10
Preform length Max. body diameter T Z * Co-polymer with no additives. Ratings may be reduced for homopolymers, colorants or additives. Special combinations are available on request. 11
niigon.ca Athena Automation Ltd. 372 New Enterprise Way Vaughan, ON L4H 0S8, Canada Phone: +1 (905) 265-0277 www.athenaautomation.com November 2017 2017 Athena Automation Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Athena, Athena Automation, LIGHTSOUT, and the Athena logo are trademarks and the property of Athena Automation Ltd. Other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Content subject to change.