Micro Molding Systems
M3 series micro molding machines offer unparalleled performance in an extremely compact, user-friendly package. The M3 platform features patented ISOKOR™ injection technology, specifically developed to address the unique challenges of molding very small, direct gated plastic parts. From low volume prototyping to fully automated mass production, the revolutionary M3 delivers superior part quality, faster speeds, and more flexibility. The micro molding cells come in 8 and 32 drop models with options available for a wide range of standard and special applications.
Precision Parts
M3 series injection molding machines offer all the advantages of direct valve gate hot runner technology. Eliminating cold runners improves part quality, speeds up cycle times and reduces waste in the form of scrap material. This results in substantial savings especially when molding highly valuable plastics such as PEEK or bioabsorbables. With conventional cold runner micro molding, it is common for the weight of the runner to be multiple times greater than the weight of the part produced. The M3 can direct gate parts as small as 0.001 g with a fine Ø 0.5 mm gate. It can also mold parts with sub-runners when needed (e.g. for parts under 1mg, for ease of parts handling, or to multiply the total number of cavities).
Speed, Agility
The revolutionary M3 series redefines injection molding for small, direct gated plastic parts by outperforming competing technologies by a wide margin. This new generation of electro-pneumatic molding cells delivers fully automated, high volume molding to all industries that demand extreme precision, quality and speed. M3 series machines also offer a high degree of flexibility for low volume and prototype molding without the limitations of larger, traditional injection molds found in conventional presses.
Reliable Automation
The M3 series features fully integrated, onboard automation. The touchless, robotic take-out and parts handling system uses vacuum to remove and dispense each plastic part individually for seamless downstream processing, as required by the specific application. Integrated vision inspection systems are available for a variety of quality control solutions. One option monitors each cavity before and after injection, twice per cycle, to verify correct part features.
Conventional injection molding machines cannot mold extremely small, direct gated parts efficiently or effectively because they do not address the biggest challenge in micro molding - they cannot adequately protect the plastic from degrading. Since micro parts consume only minute amounts of material, melt flows at a very slow rate towards the cavity. Too much dwell time in the channels damages the material. Molding cold runners to move more material is not the solution. The M3 series is built around a completely new rheological process called ISOKOR™ injection. By heating the polymer to injection temperature much closer to the gate, the patented technology significantly reduces the time melt is exposed to high processing temperatures and to shear heat, minimizing melt residence time and maintaining the integrity of the resin. This eliminates both the problem of material degradation in the runners and the dependance on inefficient cold runners.
