Productivity Applications 3/15 - Plastic Machinery

Solid state relays are preferred over their electromechanical counterparts because of their extended lifetime, resistance to shock and vibration, and fast switching.

Injection molding is a very common process used for producing plastic, glass or metal parts. This process consists of passing the desired material through a heating and mixing process and injecting it into a mold. Injection molding is used for producing a great variety of plastic parts such as bottles, cases or automotive parts. Solid state relays are ideal for use in plastic injection molding machines. They are preferred over their electromechanical counterparts because of their extended lifetime, resistance to shock and vibration, and fast switching.

Solid state relays can be used to switch the barrel and mold heaters, allowing for precise temperature control, thanks to the their ability to switch fast and often. A single SSR can drive several heater zones. SSRs can also adjust the position of the tool and get the mold accurately clamped. A solid state reversing contactor provides the required accuracy in addition to a higher life expectancy than an electromechanical contactor. They can also actuate the pins that eject the molded part. A compact DIN Rail mount SSR saves cabinet space and provides extended reliability.