Shibaura Machine Simplifies Lights-Out Molding

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL, July 21, 2021 - Amid a shortage of skilled labor and increasingly high offshoring costs, lights-out technology has become a popular topic of conversation amongst injection molding manufacturers. 

Lights-out injection molding has impacted plastics manufacturers tremendously. This capability allows American manufacturers a way to create cost, quality, and time efficiencies which they can pass on to their customers and remain competitive. In most cases, it requires less workers during the day and minimal (or zero) workers required on nights and weekends, while production continues on.

Making Lights-Out Injection Molding Easier

Having the right systems and processes in place is key to being successful with lights-out injection molding. Shibaura Machine is committed to helping innovative manufacturers forge a path into the future, no matter how complex their parts production is. The SXIII injection molding machine offers three important features that aid in automation efforts to run lights-out.  

• Manned and Unmanned Mode

As implied, these two modes can be used when staff is or is not present. MANNED Mode is put on when workers are available to respond to the machine in the event of a stoppage. UNMANNED Mode can be used during lights-out and when workers are not present. UNMANNED Mode will react to machine stoppages and alarms by opening the clamp, backing out the injection unit, and shutting off the barrel heats. 

• Programmable Outputs

The SXIII comes standard with six programmable outputs and additional outputs can be added as needed. Factories can use the machine's programmable outputs to connect them to auxiliary devices and shut them down in the event of an alarm or stoppage.

• Real Time Machine Monitoring

With the machine being left unattended, it is important that part quality doesn’t suffer. The monitoring trends feature allows the machine to track quality of parts. If a set number of defects are produced, the machine can be triggered to shut down.

In addition to these three standard features, the iPAQET remote monitoring software can be added for additional lights-out support. iPAQET not only gives the user real-time machine status, but also access to all the processing data and the V70 controller from anywhere (setting changes can be made remotely). Email or text notifications for machine alarms or stoppages can also be set-up through iPAQET.

Become a Lights-Out Operation

Is your factory working towards lights-out? Our team at Shibaura Machine welcomes the opportunity to discuss with you how the SXIII can help you meet your production goals.