Unlike traditional feeders, this patent-pending control system can simultaneously measure and add the masterbatch during the injection phase, which results in a more even dispersal of the masterbatch and cost savings. Maguire Products, Inc., at K-2019 as MGF™ A new feature on gravity feeders introduced the technology. During the injection molding cycle, about 75% of the feedstock enters the screw during the rollback phase, and about 25% enters the screw during injection molding. Undermixing can occur because conventional feeders only add masterbatches during the fallback phase. This is especially a problem when the injection amount is close to the screw capacity or when the end product is translucent. In the new 100% Injection Coloring system, MGF™ A dedicated controller on the feeder receives signals from the moulding machine at both stages, ensuring that masterbatches are added throughout the cycle.

To address the problem of inadequate mixing, the 100% Injection Coloring technology eliminates two traditional solutions that unnecessarily add cost or complexity: add a premix, or add more masterbatches to compensate for inadequate mixing. Additional masterbatches increase the raw material cost of opaque parts, while translucent parts usually do not allow additional masterbatches.

"100% Injection Coloring technology can save pigment costs and ensure the uniformity of the product, it is especially valuable when the injection volume is close to the screw barrel capacity, "Says Paul Edmondson, Managing Director of Maguire Europe." "With conventional feeders, the mixing time in the screw barrel is simply not enough to disperse the raw material without 25% masterbatch in the screw barrel. Adding more masterbatches usually solves this problem, but not always, especially for translucent parts. Therefore, you will need to use a larger machine or use a premix."

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