New development for compact silicone injection molds

The idea for the joint development followed from a customer project of UNIpace for the production of medical silicone components. The aim was to produce large quantities in the smallest possible space. Here, the Babyplast injection molding machine from Christmann Kunststofftechnik, Kierspe, was used.

The big challenge was to develop and design a 4-cavity mold with valve gate nozzles for the small installation dimensions. In Günther Heisskanaltechnik, the company found a partner who took on this challenge with great interest. Further challenges in the confined installation space were to design a reliable needle (stroke) mechanism as well as to realize the fully balanced distribution.

In difficult Corona times, web conferencing was used to develop a system within 12 weeks that performed excellently on the first shot. The cold runner system is characterized by its compact design with small nest distances and short nozzle bodies. In addition, a system was developed that is very easy to clean. This allows fast material changes both for trials and in production.  
 

About UNIpace

UNIpace has been located on the campus of the University of Kassel since 2013 and is under the scientific direction of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hans-Peter Heim (Institute of Materials Engineering, Department of Plastics Engineering). UNIpace conducts research with several regional and national companies in the field of silicone rubber processing. Currently, 16 people are employed at UNIpace.