What is the secret of a plastic injection molding machine that realizes high-precision processing and stable molding proposed by Sodick (Thailand)?

▲ Images of plastic injection molded products

The recent trend toward lighter-weight automobiles and the rapid increase in global demand for semiconductors has increased the demand for high-precision plastic processed products.

However, the quality of plastic injection molding is easily affected by various factors such as machine specifications, processing environment, material type, and mold shape, and it is not easy to realize both high-precision processing and stable molding. For this article, we interviewed Mr. Orii, a service engineer, and Mr. Kang, an application engineer, who have been involved in the development and engineering services of Sodick's injection molding machines for many years, about the strengths and features of the company's injection molding machines.

V-LINE®, a unique technology that separates the plasticizing and injection processes

First of all, injection molding generally means...
・Melting the material (plasticization)
・Pressing or pouring into the mold (injection)
・Cooling and hardening
・Taking out the molded product
The process is divided into these four general steps.

The main feature of the company's injection molding machines is that the plasticizing and injection processes are separated. Conventionally, the in-line screw system, in which these two processes are performed coaxially, has been the mainstream. However, based on the voices of customers who are worried about molding variations and instability of processing accuracy, the V-LINE® system (screw/plunger pre-plunger system) was developed as our solution to these problems which divides each process into separate operations.

Realizes stable processing of engineering plastics and super engineering plastics

Separating the plasticizing and injection processes provides the following advantages.

・ The thermal history of the resin in the plasticizing process becomes constant, and the state of the melted resin is stable.
・ There is no backflow during injection, and the amount of resin filled in the mold is uniform.

This unique technology, the V-LINE® system, has realized stable molding with high-precision and low variation. A wide range of products are available, including the horizontal MS series and the vertical VRE series.

In addition, the machine is also more suitable for processing engineering plastics and super engineering plastics, which are high-performance plastics that are expected to be in high demand in the future.

▲Samples of molded products using Sodick's injection molding machine (from the left: bus bars and various automotive sensor parts)

One and only after-sales service by experienced engineers

“Our injection molding machines are relatively expensive compared to other manufacturers, but we can assure you that they are capable of fulfilling your needs. Not only the machine specifications but also the after-sales service post-delivery is one of our recommended points. We strive to reduce downtime by quickly identifying what problems are occurring at the customer site, understanding the situation, and taking appropriate action. Smooth communication between Japanese and Thai staff is also an important point for understanding the site." (Service engineer Mr. Orii)

“There were times when the pandemic made it difficult for us to enter the customer's factory site, which hindered the progress of the project. However, recently we have been flexibly responding by switching the post-delivery operation to online remote training. In injection molding, the quality of the molded product depends on a combination of various factors such as the machine, material, operating environment, and mold shape, etc. Therefore, we believe that, not only the machine specifications but providing the optimum solution based on the wide range of experience and knowledge of us engineers is an added value." (Application engineer Mr. Kang)

The company's engineering team consists of these two experienced engineers who have been deeply involved with Sodick's injection molding machines for many years based in Southeast Asia, as well as excellent Thai engineers. The team is reassuring to have at the side of those seeking high-precision injection molding technology in Thailand.

▲ From the left: Mr. Kang, an application engineer, and Mr. Orii, a service engineer.

Yasuki Orii
Customer Service Department Assistant Manager
1997 Joined Sodick Co., Ltd.
Was mainly in charge of the Kanto area and has more than 20 years of experience as a service engineer.
2018 Assigned to Sodick (Thailand) Co., Ltd. as a service engineer.

Munsu Kang
Customer Service Department Assistant Manager
2007 Joined Sodick Co., Ltd. and worked as an application engineer in the Molding System Section at Kaga Branch Office. After that, worked as customer support, start-up, and human resource development at bases in Hong Kong, China (Shenzhen), and Singapore.
2020 Assigned to Sodick (Thailand) Co., Ltd. as an application engineer

If you are looking for a high-precision injection molding machine, or if you have any problems with plastic (resin) molding in Thailand, please contact us using the form below.