Uniloy's third-generation electric shuttle is designed for versatility and data connectivity. #closeupontechnology

Uniloy's UCS-E third-generation all-electric shuttle has a maximum weight of 30 tons and can hold up to 12 parisons on one side.

Uniloy Inc. has just released an all-electric UCS-E continuous extrusion shuttle blow molding machine, suitable for bottles, containers and technical parts as small as 50 ml (1.69 ounces) to 30 liters (7.9 gallons). According to product manager Daniel Horecica-Csiki, this is the company's third-generation electric shuttle and is "the most advanced Uniloy shuttle to date." He added: "The main goals of developing this machine are to shorten delivery time, reduce maintenance requirements, reduce energy consumption and achieve a smaller footprint."

Launched "the most advanced Uniloy shuttle to date".

It is said that the energy consumption of its electric drive is 40% less than that of a standard hydraulic press, and the extruded plastic reaches 0.27 kWh/kg (in line with Euromap efficiency class 10). It is now standard, and its latest generation zero-backlash precision gearbox is driven by an AC brushless actuator with an absolute encoder, which ensures very high repeatability.

The completely redesigned user interface has intuitive guidance for operator and SPC monitoring. Comes with 21.5 inches. The touch screen, which accepts gesture commands such as smartphones and tablets, is said to be able to achieve faster settings and a lot of customization. Connectivity and data are at the forefront of the development of this machine, making it "ready for Industry 4.0" and allowing data exchange with the factory management system. It combines the OPC UA communication protocol that is currently considered the backbone of the Industry 4.0 system. Horecica-Csiki pointed out that this feature allows the molding machine to manage downstream equipment, such as trimming machines and leak testers. The new controller developed by Uniloy also provides remote assistance and diagnostic functions, and is developing preventive maintenance and self-diagnostic functions for launch next year.

The new controls and interface accept gesture commands and combine with OPC UA connection for data transmission and integration of downstream devices.

The UCS-E double-sided shuttle currently offers up to 30 tons of clamping capacity and up to 12 parisons per side. "We are continuing to develop new models," said Corrado Zanga, European Sales Director. The modular machine structure allows various configurations and adding side stations without space constraints. The user can choose from a variety of clamping forces, strokes and neck cutting forces. It is said that the overall design is compact and easy to maintain, which is said to be easier than ever. There are also fewer spare parts required. These motors are described as "clean room ready" and offer aseptic upgrade options.

Uniloy is developing heads for co-extrusion and processing of PCR and biomaterials.

Like the previous generation of Uniloy shuttles, the new UCS-E version contains provisions for quick replacement of the blow pin holder and cassette tape. In addition, a new feature is the quick release of the mold holder plate operated by a lever mechanism, without the use of tools to loosen the mold.

Quick-change features include special blow-pin holders and cassette tapes, and a new quick-release mold holder plate that allows molds to be removed without tools.

Uniloy manufactures its own print heads for single-layer applications-optimized for rapid color changes-and uses W. Müller print heads for co-extrusion of up to seven layers. "We are also working on our own multilayer heads," added Brian Marston, President and CEO of Uniloy. "We are also developing heads for improved post-consumer recycling (PCR) and biological material processing." He pointed out that the latter is more sensitive to the process than standard resins and will therefore benefit from equipment designs that provide a wide process window.

"As an independent Uniloy, we have developed more products in the past year and a half than brands in the past 20 years," Marston said. He pointed out that the new controls and interfaces on UCS-E are now standard on all Uniloy machines, and added that a new generation of injection-blowing and reciprocating screw machines with “significant new technologies” will make their debut at the end of this year.

Marston also drew attention to the Uniloy University laboratory at the Tecumseh company headquarters in Michigan is expected to be completed this year. He said that this will be the "only laboratory in the world" that can manufacture three different blow molding processes-injection blow molding, reciprocating blow molding-screw and continuous extrusion shuttle-which can be used for testing and training. "Our mold shop is also there."

The new UCS-E shuttle can be demonstrated and tested in Tecumseh and Magenta, Italy.

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