The SMARTshot i cold runner is the entry point into an intelligently supported injection molding process. The system already enables automatic balancing and continuous monitoring of the injection process, ensuring high process stability with reduced manual effort. The mold is designed for future expansion.
Planned functions such as real-time rheometry and self-learning automation form the basis for further efficiency gains and high process reliability – even in demanding LSR applications.
Intelligence in the mold
Self-learning process automation
AI preparation & integration
Real-time rheometry in the mold
Highest precision & control
Servoelectric technology
Efficiency boost through intelligent control
SMARTshot i is particularly well-suited for companies that use family molds, prototype molds, or molds with frequent startup cycles – for example, after cleaning intervals, mold changes, or during small-batch production.
SMARTshot i really shines when it comes to family molds with cavities of varying sizes or complex geometries: The system automatically compensates for differences in filling behavior and ensures consistent part quality.
SMARTshot i also offers a significant advantage when working with high-quality or cost-intensive silicone materials, as it allows for the reduction or even complete elimination of time-consuming filling studies. This saves time, material, and costs.
Family molds present unique challenges, as the cavities often differ in size, geometry, or filling behavior. This frequently results in variations in part weight or quality.
SMARTshot i controls the nozzle position for each cavity individually and automatically compensates for these differences. This ensures uniform filling of all cavities and significantly reduces the need for manual adjustments.
Yes. SMARTshot i continuously analyzes the behavior of each individual cavity and automatically adjusts the needle position.
This allows for differences between the cavities to be compensated for. The result is uniformly filled parts, less scrap, and significantly shorter setup times.
SMARTshot i automatically detects when the mold has reached an isothermal state.
During startup, the needle position is continuously adjusted to compensate for thermal expansion in the cold runner. As a result, production starts faster, with greater reproducibility, and with significantly less scrap.
In many applications, traditional filling studies can be significantly reduced or even eliminated entirely.
SMARTshot i analyzes the behavior of each individual needle during the injection process and uses this information to automatically optimize the cold runner.
Automatic control eliminates the need for time-consuming manual adjustments.
Your benefits:
A conventional servo-electric cold runner system only allows for precise positioning of the needles.
SMARTshot i takes this a decisive step further: The system continuously analyzes the process, interprets the signals from each individual needle, and automatically adjusts them. This transforms a servo-electric cold runner into an intelligent, self-optimizing system.
No.
SMARTshot i operates without additional pressure sensors in the cavities. Instead, the system uses high-resolution data from the servo-controlled needles to analyze and control the process.
This keeps the mold design simple while still allowing for highly precise control.
The curves show the behavior of each individual nozzle during the injection process.
They provide insight into the pressure and flow conditions in the cold runner and illustrate how the material flow changes during the individual process phases.
The recorded curves correlate with the material distribution and the final part weight.
This allows differences between the cavities to be detected early on and automatically compensated for. At the same time, the user receives valuable information about the status of their process.
Yes.
SMARTshot i continuously monitors the signals from each individual needle. Changes in the process are detected early and can be automatically compensated for or displayed to the operator. This ensures that process quality remains stable even under changing conditions.
Yes.
SMARTshot i records relevant process data and presents it in a clear and organized manner. This allows production processes to be analyzed, documented, and optimized over the long term.
No.
SMARTshot i significantly reduces the need for manual adjustments and supports the operator through automatic process optimization. This ensures reproducible results regardless of the operator’s experience.
SMARTshot i positions each needle with an accuracy of 2 µm (0.002 mm).
This high precision enables exact dosing of each individual cavity and forms the basis for automatic balancing of the cold runner.
SMARTshot i can be used with a variety of injection molding machines. Optimal integration depends on the specific system configuration and process requirements. Our experts will be happy to advise you on the right solution.
SMARTshot i is currently available for cold runners with up to 16 cavities.
Larger systems are technically possible. However, we have decided to focus the market launch initially on applications with up to 16 cavities. We would be happy to provide you with personalized advice for projects involving a higher number of cavities.
Yes. SMARTshot i is designed as a platform and is continuously being developed.
Existing customers will – to the extent technically possible – benefit from new software features and optimizations. As a result, the system’s range of functions continues to grow, and your investment remains future-proof in the long term.
Who is SMARTshot i designed for?