Machine Options & Automation

MAPLAN offers you a variety of options to customize the machine so as to adapt to production requirements and customer needs.The available options include electrical, software, hydraulic and mechanical ones. Our experienced sales and service team is happy to offer their advice.

Highly efficient automated production cells are our strength. You will find some basic versions of the most common automation below.

Manual / hydraulic frame shifting /exchange for middle plate

A frame for middle-plate intake, which is located on a hydraulic ejector, can be manually / fully automatically retracted completely from the machine to the front or to the rear.
In the case of frame-change:
There are two identical middle plates located alternately in the machine and in the frame. The advantage of the frame-change is that both middle plates are shifted simultaneously, i.e., when middle plate 1 is pulled out from the machine, middle plate 2 is being moved into the machine at the same time.

Middle plate shifting (shuttle)

A shuttle unit, which is constructed separately next to the machine, is equipped with guides for the intake of the middle plate. Such guides are also available on the hydraulic ejector.

The fully automatic unit can be implemented according to the need as to be moved out from the front or the back of the machine.

Middle plate exchange within the machine (shuttle)

A separately constructed shuttle unit next to the machine is equipped with guides for the intake of the middle plate. Such guides are also available on the hydraulic ejector.

In this solution, there are two identical middle plates located alternately in the machine and in the outstation. As a condition for alternation within the machine, the machine ejector is equipped with double guide grooves.
The fully automatic unit can be implemented according to the need as to be moved out from the front or the back of the machine.

Sychronous middle plate exchange "Fast Double Shuttle"

A separately constructed shuttle unit next to the machine is equipped with guides for the intake of two middle plates. Such guides are also available on the hydraulic ejector.

The special feature of this solution is that there are two identical middle plates located alternately in the machine and in the outstation. As a condition for the synchronized middle plate change, the machine ejector and also the shuttle unit are both equipped with double guide grooves.
The advantage of the "Fast Double Shuttles" is that the two middle plates are shifted simultaneously, i.e., when middle plate 1 is pulled out from the machine, middle plate 2 is being moved into the machine at the same time. Therefore the auxiliary process time as compared to an usual middle plate shifting is distinctly reduced.

Heating plate exchange

The heating platen change is designed to shift the lower halves of the mould and involves a second lower heating plate.
This solution requires a second identical lower plate of the mould.
The design is supported by two massive external frames in front and on the back (column machine) or on the left and on the right (C-frame machine).

100% heating plate shifting, heavy duty version

The heating plate shifting function is used to shift the lower half of the mould in the absence of a second lower heating plate.
The design is supported by one massive external frame.

Short heating plate shifting and long heating plate shifting, frameless

The heating plate shifting function is used to shift the lower half of the mould and will effect a simplified operation of the mould.
It offers a short version and a long version.
Both versions are attached directly to the body of the machine.

External ejector for heating plate shifting

The external ejector used for heating plate shifting is located centrally in front of the machine. It moves from below through the pulled-out heating plate.

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External ejector for middle plate change / middle plate shifting (shuttle)

The external ejector is used as a push-out device on middle plate shifting or middle plate exchange from above or below. A rectangular plate is provided when used to perform intake function of the customer's device, for example, ejection plate.
An option only when it is from below:
An additional built-in heating plate which leans against the middle plate from below is used here for temperature regulation.

Sprue-removal device

By mounting a Pick and Grip System on the injection side fix plate, the sprue can be removed fully automatically from the machine.

Loading and unloading stations of the mould

To load and unload the moulds, different solutions are available - from the simple slipway system to the complex automated systems with preheat function of the mould.
Complex loading and unloading handlings for the assembly of inserts, and for the removal of finished articles, as well as grippers with a heavy total weight, can all be carried out.

Multi-component injection moulding systems

Complex projects for production of composite parts can be carried out with the option of sequential / simultaneous injection of two or more elastomeric components using multiple injection units.
The standard configuration is sequential injection. Parallel injection as cascade control of the injection process is also available as an option.
A combination of this technology with inserts can be implemented.

Vacuum systems

Various configurations of machines and related options can be supplemented with vacuum chambers.
They can be opened in the parting line or in a one-sided folding manner.
For the design of vacuum chambers, vacuum pumps and perhaps additional vacuum storages, all possibilities can be carried out.

The full integration of all Maplan's own options into machine control as well as free adjustment of pressure and speed is a matter of course.