At the Innovation and Emerging Plastics Technologies Conference, Linde LLC will showcase solutions for injection molders and plastic manufacturers including: enhanced Gas-Assist Injection Molding (eGAIM), and cryogenic spot cooling and cleaning systems. Linde is a sponsor of the conference, hosted by Penn State Erie, The Behrend College in Erie, Pa., June 18-19.
Linde eGAIM
Developed and patented by Linde, eGAIM uses carbon dioxide (CO2) to improve Gas-Assist Injection Molding (GAIM). Linde found that by replacing liquid nitrogen (N2) with cryogenic CO2 as the gas assist, injection molders could greatly reduce cycle times. "The high efficiency of carbon dioxide, including low investment costs, easy installation and convincing results, make eGAIM very attractive for injection molding for both new molds and for retrofitting existing molds," says Jim Stanley, Linde program manager for the North American plastics industry.
Cryogenic Spot Cooling
Linde can help troubleshoot and assist with engineering low-cost, CO2 spot-cooling systems to put cryogenics to work on mold hot spots. Precisely engineered CO2 spot-cooling systems can help substantially reduce the cost of injection-molded parts, or inexpensively add injection-molding capacity without major modifications. Cryogenic spot cooling helps achieve more uniform cooling across the part geometry, critical for injection-molded parts quality, mold-release performance, and reduced cycle times.
Solvent-Free Parts Cleaning
The CRYOCLEAN® Snow system is a waterless, solvent-free system for cleaning automotive, plastic and other manufactured parts. The CRYOCLEAN® Snow system removes residue and other contaminants from plastic and metal surfaces using a pressurized stream of cryogenic carbon dioxide and micro-particles of dry ice. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is inert, so there are no ozone-depleting solvents, and no potential for oxidizing metal as with aqueous-based cleaning systems.
In addition, Linde will feature the new PRESUS™ C system, a liquid carbon-dioxide (LCO2) pressure booster (see caption) that can help plastic foam manufacturers and gas-assist injection molders (GAIM) improve efficiency and quality. Designed for precision and long service-life, PRESUS C systems can supply high-mass-flow LCO2 at a constant high pressure to a variety of industrial processes. Applications include high-performance spot-cooling of hot spots in plastic injection molds, and the supply of bubble-free LCO2 to metering systems such as the Linde DSD 500 for the physical foaming of polystyrene (PS) and low-density polyurethane (PUR).
The Linde Plastics Team reviews processing challenges and develops solutions for injection-molders, foamers and extruders, as well as manufacturers and designers of plastics processing equipment. For more information, visit www.lindeplastics.com, or call 800-755-9277.
About Linde LLC in North America
Linde LLC is a member of The Linde Group. In the 2013 financial year, The Linde Group generated revenue of EUR 16.655 bn (USD 23.1 bn), making it the largest gases and engineering company in the world with approximately 63,500 employees working in more than 100 countries worldwide. The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards long-term profitable growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment – in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. The company is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.