Technology - Injection Moulding
Lumotech possesses a diverse range of injection moulding machines, featuring clamp forces spanning from 90 to 1750 tons. These machines are specifically tailored to the parts they mould; for instance, Lumotech customises screw and barrel sizes to match the intended parts. This approach minimizes plastic residence time, ensuring optimal melt quality.
Typically opting for large platen machines, Lumotech's strategy involves using lower tonnage for the part and a larger mould. This results in reduced energy consumption and floor space utilisation compared to standard machines.
Furthermore, all newly acquired machines are equipped with energy-saving systems, aligning with our commitment to minimising our carbon footprint. Some moulding machines have Advanced Process Control systems.
Additionally, the majority of our moulding machines are equipped with de-moulding robots to enhance cycle times and ensure consistency.
Lumotech’s fleet of 52 injection moulding machines have the capabilities to, not only manufacture plastic from just one colour, but up to 4 colours in one machine using spin-form technology and auxiliary injection units.
Lumotech employs highly specialised controllers to guarantee the quality of parts, leveraging the stability of indirect cooling, which proves to be more reliable than direct cooling units.
Given the nature of the hydroscopic polymers we utilise, it is imperative to dry them to ensure the production of high-quality parts. Each drying equipment is meticulously chosen based on the specific material it is intended to dry, considering factors such as rate and duration.
We utilise an internally developed, automated material feeding system that transports raw materials from a centralised drying location in the plant to each machine.
Lumotech utilises specialised polymer resins such as Polycarbonate (PC), PolyMethyl MethAcrylate (PMMA), Polypropylene (PP), Polypropylene Talc filled (20% and 30%) (PP-T), Polypropylene Grass filled (PP-GF), Blend of Polyethylene and Polybutadiene (PET/PBT), PolyPhenylene Sulfide (PPS), High Temperature PC (PC-HT), Thermoset Bulk Moulding Compound (BMC), Polypropylene Glass filler (length between 10 to 12mm) (PP Long Glass) and Specialised PC which is used for thick lenses which has anti-yellowing properties.
Lumotech possesses the capacity to produce a diverse range of thick inner lenses crafted from either PC or PMMA. Typically, the light guides measure around Ø8.0mm, and with the thick lenses, certain sections can reach a thickness of up to 27mm.