Injection Molding and Gravimetric Feeder

This RFQ is an invitation to submit offers for the provision of one (1) new Injection Molding Machine and Gravimetric Feeder, to be delivered, installed, commissioned, and accepted by RDP on or before December 31, 2026, as this purchase is contingent upon grant funding with a defined expiration date.
1)    Technical Requirements

a)    Injection Molding Machine (IMM)
The Supplier shall provide a new, industrial grade injection molding machine suitable for instructional, research, and thermoplastic production applications. The equipment shall meet or exceed the following minimum functional and performance requirements:
i)    Clamping System
•    Fully hydraulic, hybrid, or all electric clamping system.
•    Nominal clamping force should be above 150 Tons.
•    Four tie bar design or equivalent, with sufficient platen daylight and mold thickness range.
•    Distance between tie bars should be more than an area of 450 mm x 450 mm
•    Mold protection functionality with adjustable force and speed parameters.
•    Central ejector system with programmable force, stroke, and multiple ejector sequences.
•    Mold protection monitoring via ejector platen safety switch
ii)    Injection Unit
•    Servo controlled or equivalent injection unit capable of processing common thermoplastics up to 450°C for melting temperature.
•    Interchangeable or selectable screw diameters to accommodate varying shot sizes with a minimum shot capacity of 350 g (polystyrene equivalent).
•    Wear resistant plasticizing components suitable for processing virgin, regrind, and filled materials with coated screw for high abrasive materials processing.
•    Adjustable injection pressure, speed, holding pressure, and back pressure, with a minimum injection pressure of 29,000 PSI, suitable for thin-wall injection molding applications.
•    A two-circuit hydraulic system is preferred to enable coining functions and achieve smoother surface finishes.
•    Standard open nozzle with heater band and interchangeable nozzle tip.
iii)    Controls and HMI
•    Modern, touchscreen based machine controller with graphical user interface.
•    Capability to store, edit, and recall multiple mold and process recipes.
•    Closed loop control of injection, holding, screw recovery, and clamping functions.
•    Integrated monitoring of temperatures, pressures, cycle times, alarms, and fault diagnostics.
•    User access control with multiple permission levels.
•    CPU Ethernet Ports, IOT gateway able and Ethernet Connection
•    Interface for Robot system according to EUROMAP 67, 50-pin plug connection 
iv)    Utilities and Interfaces
•    Electrical configuration suitable for North American industrial power. CSA approved circuit breakers (UL489 standard) 
•    Integrated cooling water circuits with manual or programmable flow control.
•    Pneumatic connections for air blow, valve gate, or auxiliary functions.
v)    Safety and Compliance
•    Full perimeter guarding with interlocked safety gates.
•    Emergency stop circuits and safety rated controls.
•    Compliance with applicable CSA, UL, or equivalent North American safety standards. 
•    Clearly identified lockout/tagout (LOTO) isolation points for electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and other hazardous energy sources.
b)    Gravimetric Feeder (Additive / Color Feeder)
The Supplier shall provide a gravimetric feeder suitable for accurate dosing of colorants, additives, or regrind materials into an injection molding process. The feeder shall meet or exceed the following minimum requirements:
i)    Feeding Technology
•    True gravimetric, loss in weight feeding system with closed loop control.
•    Continuous self calibration to compensate for material density and flow variations.
•    Non pulsing feed mechanism suitable for precise low rate dosing.
ii)    Performance and Accuracy
•    High dosing accuracy appropriate for color and additive applications.
•    Capable of operating across a range of feed rates to suit various shot sizes and cycle times.
•    Suitable for use with pellets, regrind, and free flowing additives.
iii)    Mechanical Design
•    Compact design suitable for mounting directly at the machine throat or via a throat adapter.
•    Quick release or tool less access for cleaning and material changeover.
•    Hopper capacity suitable for instructional and production use, with optional extensions available.
iv)    Controls and Integration
•    Dedicated controller with intuitive interface for setting feed percentages or mass based rates.
•    Capability to operate independently or synchronize with the injection molding machine cycle.
•    Alarm functions for low material level, feed deviation, or fault conditions.
•    Communication capability for data tracking or integration with the IMM controller, where available.
v)    Utilities and Compatibility
•    Electrical power suitable for North American standards.
•    Optional compressed air or vacuum loading capability, if required.
•    Throat adapter compatible with standard injection molding machine throat dimensions.
 

Bidding and Documents are available on http://www.merx.com. Fees may apply; See https://www.merx.com/public/pricing for more information.