Servo Valves for Clamping Force Control
Secure clamping control is critical in plastic injection molding, CNC machining and milling, stamping, and wood and timber processing, as components are subjected to high pressure and forces.
Why Clamping Force Matters
Adequate control of clamping force is important in injection molding, as it dictates part quality. For example, if the clamping force is too low, then the mold could open too soon causing flash and warping. Clamping force that is too high can result in added equipment stress over time. Domin servo valves provide incredibly tight closed-loop control of position, velocity, and force for stable workholding.
For clamping pressure control, servo valves regulate hydraulic pressure on the mold, ensuring that it is closed throughout the injection process, preventing problems like flash, warping, and distortion.
How the S6 Pro Controls Clamping Force in Injection Molding
For clamping control in injection molding applications, Domin’s S6 Pro servo valve is well suited due to its combination of low hysteresis and a fast step response. The S6 Pro offers the following characteristics that make it specifically suited for stable control. See the chart below.
|
Flow Rate |
2.6 to 16.6 gpm (5 to 63 lpm) |
|
Leakage at 100 bar |
<0.3 gpm (<1.1 lpm) |
|
Response Time at 100% Step Input |
<3.5 ms |
|
Frequency Response |
>250 Hz |
|
Hysteresis |
<0.2% |
|
Mass |
1.36 lbs (0.62 kg) |
Our Recommended Valves
The S6 Pro is an exceptional model for clamping force control. This model features low hysteresis for tight clamping control (as low as <0.2% hysteresis) with a fast response time of <3.5 ms to prevent system lag and for rapid response and adjustments to pressure fluctuations. The valve’s predictable linear control response makes it easy to tune.