MOUNT GILEAD, Ohio, U.S.A., June 23, 2003 – The world’s first rotating, moveable platen on an injection molding machine will be featured during the NPE Show at the HPM Division booth (North 5507) of Taylor’s Industrial Services.

“While there are other techniques for insert molding applications, no other machine uses a rotating, moveable platen like what HPM Division has developed for the Freedom Series,” said Gerry Sposato, director of sales and marketing. “The Freedom Rotator, with a global patent pending, offers many benefits for insert molding, multi-color, co-injection and other applications. These include the potential to shorten cycle time by 30-35 percent and improve productivity by up to 133 percent. The Rotator also eliminates safety and ergonomic concerns because there is no need to reach into the clamp, and gives five access points to the mold.”

Unlike traditional injection molding machines, the Freedom Rotator’s moveable platen sits on a hydraulic-driven bearing system that allows it to rotate 180 degrees.

“While multiple rotating dies are not uncommon, what makes the Rotator unique is that the moving platen rotates on its center,” explained Ken Eichhorn, director of engineering for HPM Division. “This allows the platen’s back side to be available so the cured part can be removed by a robot, and films and inserts be inserted into the die while another part is being molded.”

HPM Division developed the Rotator option for the Freedom Series in conjunction with an automotive customer molding bumper fascia. During NPE, HPM Division is demonstrating the rotator option, which is now available, on a Freedom Rotator 1100-WP.

Sposato said he expects much of the early demand for the Freedom Rotator to come for the larger tonnage sizes. “The percentage for savings is the same for all Freedom sizes. However, customers will see more of an impact in cycle time reduction and production savings with the larger sizes,” Sposato said.

“ We see a lot of potential for the Freedom Rotator because there are a lot of automotive applications for insert and two-material molding,” Sposato added. “However, we have received a lot of interest from housewares, appliance and other non-automotive customers. Once they saw the benefits of the Freedom Rotator, they started coming up with their own applications and benefits, such as in color overlay uses.”

The Freedom Series is a hydromechanical series – now with an electric screw drive option – in 360 to 5000 US tons, and shot sizes from 14 to 1372 ounces. Its two-platen design gives it a smaller footprint by up to 40 percent (compared to traditional three-platen machines). The Freedom Series also features:

• the only retractable tie bar system available in North America for easy, automated mold changes;
• improved longevity with fewer leaks;
• able to adapt to various injection technologies, including gas-assist, silicone rubber, foam injection, etc.; and
• Siemens PC-based TC03 control – a global exclusive for Taylor’s HPM Division – is standard on all Freedom machines.

Taylor’s Industrial Services LLC is a leader in manufacturing, heavy-duty hauling, aviation and property management. Its HPM Division manufactures and supplies extrusion systems, injection molding machines and die casting equipment from headquarters in Mount Gilead, Ohio, U.S.A. Founded in 1877, HPM has a proven history in quality, service and innovation. HPM offers equipment remanufacturing, and aftermarket parts and services through Taylor’s Support Services (TSS).