Axxicon Mould Technology introduces AIM for 2K applications

In order to offer the industry a solution to generate consistent test specimen in a standardised mould lay out Axxicon Mould Technology now introduces the 2 shot test mould system to the market in order to establish a foundation for future standardisation of test procedures.

AIM™ Mould System.

AIM is a proprietary multi-functional injection mould with interchangeable inserts, used on conventional injection moulding machines and capable of producing plastic specimens for quality tests according to international standards. The system is used to obtain data for CAMPUS®, the plastics database, to determine key material properties such as tensile strength, hardness, stress cracking, flammability, multi-axial impact behaviour and gloss/colour matching. Recently, the AIM Mould System package was expanded with an electrically heated pre-heating unit to bring several inserts up to the mould temperature. This pre-heating ensures that the insert is at operating temperature immediately after being exchanged, so that less costly time is lost.

Two-shot test market

Following the success with the AIM Mould System, Axxicon now enters the 2 shot test market. The company has developed the Axxicon 2K-Mould System, a new standard mould for 2 shot testing which is currently being introduced.

As a result of AXXICON’s track record in polymer test moulds, AXXICON was approached by the industry for a standardised solution for 2 shot test moulds. Intensive market research amongst leading companies and institutes in 2 shot developments and their customers, showed that there is NO test standard set for this specific type of polymer technology.

This is remarkable, as the majority of persons interviewed indicated that there is a great need for such a standard, both by the polymer industry as well as with the end user, to provide the industry with uniform generated data to improve the exchange and comparison of 2 shot materials characteristics and behaviour.

Based on the outcome of this market research, and specific customer needs, Axxicon developed a mould concept which integrated the know-how gained by the production and marketing of the AIM Mould System with feedback on what the industry would like to test.

The main test criteria indicated where:

• Peel test

• Hard/Soft adhesion and/or cohesion

• Tensile strength

• Surface quality

• Impact of wall thickness

• Colour test

Furthermore the mould should fit on standard 2 shot moulding machines in the range of 80 up to 150 Tons, and adapted the different injection unit settings as currently available in the industry. Due to the need to provide a standard solution the core-back technology is used instead of turntable technology to generate the 2nd shot cavity geometry.

Based on the above criteria, Axxicon developed and manufactured a 2 shot mould which exists of a mould frame and interchangeable product forming inserts to produce test specimen for tests as specified above.

Currently the first mould system has been in production for over one year, and a second system was installed recently, with excellent results.