Husky and Linpac Introduce Soft-touch Grips for New Beer Crates
September 23, 2005
MUNICH -- Linpac Materials Handling Germany GmbH has introduced an innovative soft-grip beer crate with the help of new equipment, process design and integration services provided by Husky Injection Molding Systems.
The crate features soft grips molded into a rigid body, as well as in-mold labeling, providing ease of carrying and effective brand recognition. The crates combine strength with lightness, ease of stacking and, thanks to the soft grips, more pleasant manual handling than conventional beer crates. The unique design and versatility of the new crate has won Linpac a large order from Bitburger, one of Germany's largest brewers.
"Husky provided us with extensive technical support in achieving our goals," said Kim Hugow, Technical Director of Linpac Materials Handling Germany. "The project was helped by the flexibility and compactness of Husky machines, as we needed to incorporate robotics and a second injection unit into as small a space as possible."
At the heart of Linpac's new production is two 1000-tonne (10,000 kN) and three 800-tonne (8,000 kN) Husky Hylectric injection molding machines. Robotic handling from the Kuka Robot Group was integrated with in-mold labeling from DAT and Ilsemann.
The incorporation of soft, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) grips to Linpac's existing beer crate design required a second injection unit from Windsor. Husky's Technical Centre in Bad Salzuflen, Germany developed a special interface with the Windsor injection unit, as well as overall machine controls for the new process, using Husky's Polaris Control.
The wide tiebar spacing of the Husky Hylectric machine accommodates the large molds required for the crates, as well as providing space for the auxiliary robotic operations and the second injection components. Linpac's molds are highly complex - the TPE grip is molded via an intricate core arrangement - and require exact clamping for consistent quality. Production quantities are in the millions per year.
"We drew a great deal from our experience in mold making and integration for containers," said Christian Zieske, a Project Engineer for Husky. "Success in this project called for collaboration to achieve compatibility across all the equipment. Day-to-day success depends on a tightly controlled balance of pressures in the mold, as well as close tolerance and repeatable machine sequencing."
The in-mold labeling process, which positions decoration on four sides just prior to the molding of the crates, offers a multitude of color and effect options for branding and design. Because the decoration is integrated into the body of the crate, it will not peel or scrape off. The multi-layer labels include coatings that resist ultraviolet degradation and weathering, as well as abrasion. Labeling can also be changed rapidly during the production process of the crates.
About Husky
Husky Injection Molding Systems is a global supplier of injection molding equipment and services to the plastics industry. With one of the broadest product lines in the industry, customers use Husky equipment to manufacture a wide range of products in the packaging, technical and automotive industries. The company has more than 40 service and sales offices, supporting customers in more than 100 countries. Husky's manufacturing facilities are located in Canada, the United States, Luxembourg and China. The company's common shares (HKY) are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and are included in the S&P/TSX Composite Index.
