A 75% increase in energy efficiency and a 25% smaller footprint compared with hydraulic machines are the most important characteristics of the new all-electric drive "AX" injection moulding machine series from KraussMaffei (Munich / Germany; www.kraussmaffei.com). The machine will be showcased at the Fakuma exhibition from 14-18 October (www.fakuma-messe.de) and represents an extension to KM’s portfolio with a range of lower-price standard electric models.

Based on a centrally lubricated, low-maintenance five-point toggle clamp, the machines have platen guides on precision ball bearings, giving 80% less friction than normal guide systems. The system also features water-cooled converters to recover electricity from braking energy and regulate servo motors very efficiently. The machine, which is designed as a complete production cell with a linear robot, needs around 25% less space than a comparable hydraulic machine.

When the machines are launched in Q3 2008, clamping forces of 800, 1,000 and 1,800 kN will be available and the company intends to have the full range from 500 to 3,500 kN on the market very shortly.

Mechanical components from the Japanese manufacturer Toshiba Machine (Numazu; www.toshiba-machine.co.jp/english) are used in the new series. The two companies concluded a cooperation agreement in February 2008 – see Plasteurope.com of 22.02.2008. In combination with a European high-tech drive package and its own know-how, says KM's CEO and chief strategist Otto Urbanek, "an economical and rugged standard machine" has been born.