Sodick (Thailand) hosted an injection molding machine seminar at its factory on October 11, 2024. In addition to Sodick (Thailand), Matsui (Asia), a specialist in peripheral equipment for injection molding machines, participated in the presentations. The event brought together 17 companies and approximately 50 attendees to explore Sodick's cutting-edge technologies in injection molding machines, including the innovative new software, “Molding Navi."

▲ Presentation at the seminar

▲ Factory tour

Ensure Temperature Stability of Resin for Efficient Production of High-Precision Components!
Sodick’s Injection Molding Machines Featuring the Unique V-LINE System

Sodick's injection molding machines, particularly vertical molding models, are highly regarded for their performance. They have been widely adopted for producing high-precision, compact automotive components and in manufacturing electronic cigarettes. With the growing trend toward lightweight materials, the shift from aluminum to resin has accelerated in recent years. Sodick’s high-precision molding machines are specifically designed to address this demand. These machines utilize Sodick’s proprietary V-LINE system, which separates the screw and plunger, unlike traditional inline systems. This innovative design ensures stable resin temperatures, maintaining a consistent molten state and enabling the efficient production of high-precision components.

▲ An injection molding machine featuring the V-LINE system, which separates the injection unit into distinct plasticizing and injection sections.

【Features of the V-LINE® System】
- Ensures a stable plasticizing state
- Maintains consistent resin density
- Provides stable filling volume
- Minimizes gas generation

▲ The screw rotates solely during metering and injection, without advancing or retracting, which prevents excessive shear heat in the resin and minimizes outgassing.

▲ Without a check ring (non-return ring), the screw advances to prevent backflow, effectively eliminating excess shear heat.

Even Beginners Can Easily Set Molding Conditions!
Molding Navi Automatically Optimizes Processing Parameters

The "Molding Navi" system offers a user-friendly interface, making it accessible even for individuals unfamiliar with injection molding machines. Traditionally, setting molding conditions relied on the expertise and experience of skilled technicians. However, this innovative software simplifies the process by automatically optimizing processing parameters. In the event of a defect, the software identifies the root cause and provides actionable solutions.

【Molding Navi: Features of the Molding Condition Creation Support Function】
■ Support for the creation of initial conditions (Class 0)
- Support function for setting various conditions during the molding startup
- Semi-automatic mode generates the necessary "initial conditions" before molding
- Input mold information, molding materials, and product dimensions by following the on-screen guidance
- Generates molding conditions for the first shot as a short shot, with approximately 80% filling
- Supports the optimal method for material changeover (color change) before molding
*Input values are the responsibility of the operator

▲ STEP 1: Mold opening/closing settings

▲ STEP 2: Mold protection settings

▲ STEP 3: Color change operation

▲STEP4: Injection setting

■Condition Correction Guidance (Class 1)
- Gradually adjusts the filling amount from a short mold to full fill, making condition corrections based on the product's appearance defects

▲ TOP Screen (Start Selection Screen): From Class 0, select "① Start," or if original conditions exist, select "② Molding Defect Selection" to begin the correction process

▲ Molding defect selection screen: Select a molding defect and press "Start Condition Correction" to proceed to the molding condition correction screen.

▲ Molding condition correction screen: The operator inspects the molded product and selects “Improved / Improvement trend / No change” to automatically generate molding conditions

▲ Molding defect explanation screen: Press "Molding defect glossary" to display the screen with explanations of molding defects and their countermeasures

By utilizing Molding Navi, even beginners can confidently set and correct molding conditions. This solution helps improve productivity and efficiency in the manufacturing industry, where labor shortages are a significant challenge. Future updates, incorporating AI and other technologies, are planned, with support for multiple languages, including Japanese and English, to accommodate a wide range of production environments. Designed particularly for mass production and multi-product manufacturing sites, Molding Navi is expected to see further advancements.

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