Plastic products such as toys, household appliances or dashboards are usually formed using injection molding machines. The finished parts are created from granulated or cut raw material under pressure and heat. "These machines react very strongly to this, as they are largely made of steel," says Uwe Eschment, Managing Director of Torwegge. The high temperatures cause the metal to expand and contract again when it cools down. This can result in breakages and, in the long term, a defect in the machine. As steel can only withstand a small number of load changes, the constant alternation between loading and unloading also increases the risk.

In this context, Eschment points out that the expansions and irregular forces must be compensated for in order to extend the service life of the machines. This is possible, for example, by using rollers.

One solution from the standard Torwegge range that can compensate for the expansions and uneven forces that arise when using injection molding machines is the HB-STS swivel castor with trapezoidal threaded spindle, foot protection and ball bearing. The diameter of its wheel is 25 centimetres, that of its plate 26 centimetres. With a steel tread and a welded steel housing, it has a load capacity of 3000 kilograms and weighs 65 kilograms itself.

Stability through flexibility
Built as a support base under an injection molding machine, the extremely stable castor absorbs the load-bearing movements. It does this by following the expansion movement of the metal as it rolls a few millimetres along the floor. Unlike fixed feet, the castor prevents the steel from breaking or fatiguing. This ensures the stability of the injection molding machine so that the production of plastic parts does not come to a standstill due to equipment damage.

Eschment is an expert when it comes to the various uses of wheels and castors. Although the company he heads has now made a name for itself as a provider of integrated intralogistics systems, it initially entered the market over 60 years ago as a supplier of wheels and castors - still a very important business segment today. The product range in this area comprises more than 10,000 parts.

Vanessa Dumke/dsc

Hall 10, Stand F31