Netstal Unveils Groundbreaking Achievement: 128-Cavity Mold Generates 26-mm Water Closures in Record 1.9-Second Cycle Time at NPE 2024"
Netstal showcases the remarkable capabilities of its CAP-Line 4500 at NPE 2024, where visitors witness the live operation of a 128-cavity mold producing 26-mm water closures in an unprecedented cycle time of just 1.9 seconds.
The CAP-Line 4500, identical to the production systems utilized by Alltrista in Greer, SC, boasts an all-electric clamping unit with 4,500 kN of force and an impressive dry cycle time of 1.4 seconds. This exceptional performance is attributed to an optimized barrier screw, facilitating a smaller injection unit with enhanced plasticizing performance and superior homogenization.
Horst Kogler, head of Netstal’s caps and closures business unit, hails Alltrista's groundbreaking achievement, noting their status as the first to achieve 128-cavity production with a cycle time of 1.9 seconds. With over 3.1 billion closures produced annually across two lines, Alltrista's output efficiency is unparalleled.
The innovative mold, crafted by Austria’s z-moulds, combines the efficiency of a 96-cavity mold with the compactness of its smaller design, resulting in reduced cycle times and minimized mass movement. Alltrista's strategic use of this mold has led to a 25% reduction in enclosure weight, translating to over 2 million pounds less resin used annually.
At the NPE demonstration, finished caps undergo meticulous inspection via an Intravis vision-inspection system, ensuring precision and quality to the finest detail. Netstal's CAP-Line boasts not only exceptional performance but also compactness, occupying just 538 square feet and consuming 12% less electricity compared to competing machines running 96-cavity molds.
Christopher Navratil, CTO of Alltrista's parent company, emphasizes the strategic collaboration between Netstal, z-moulds, and Intravis, highlighting their collective expertise and innovation. With the introduction of the 128-cavity systems, Alltrista enhances efficiency, maintains flexibility in delivery, and sets new standards in customer satisfaction, securing a significant competitive advantage in the market.
