Guiding and centrings

Centrings for dynamic applications and maintenance-free friction bushing at Agathon's booth are among several highlights at Moulding Expo.

Among the exhibits at Agathon's booth are its Mini Fine Centring for dynamic applications and maintenance-free friction bushing and larger diameters for the company's range of fine centrings.

The Mini Fine Centring was launched last year for static applications, which has been the main field of application of the Mini Fine centring and has gained a lot of popularity not only among mould makers.

According to Swiss-based Agathon, the ordinary looking centring allows for completely new tool concepts. The Mini Fine Centring allows for mould inserts to be changed very quickly, not needing any special tools or expert knowledge. Furthermore, perfect tool precision is ensured because this centring has no clearance.

Since its launch, the company has developed the Mini Fine Centring further, expanding its scope of application. The centring (7980, 7981, 7989) can now be used for dynamic applications, Agathon says. In particular, the centring of floating cavities in multi-cavity moulds offers a broad field of application for the Mini Fine Centring. Thanks to its small footprint, the number of cavities can be increased by up to 30%, Agathon notes. Moreover, as the centring is not paired, additional bushings of the standard 7989 can be used, which are application possibilities especially for turning tools and automation solutions.

Apart from mini applications, the company's 7990 and 7993 series of the Fine Centrings have been extended for applications in larger tools. For the standard 7993, Agathon now offers a centring with a column diameter of 40mm, while a column diameter of 50mm has been developed for the standard 7990. Prior to this, the maximum column diameter for the standard 7993 was only 25mm and 32mm for the standard 7990.

The Mini 7981 und 7980, among the Mini Fine Centrings that are now available for dynamic applications, will be showcased at Moulding Expo. (Bild: Agathon)

All Fine Centrings are said to be a superior alternative to sliding centring systems with clearance and flat centrings. The clearance-free Fine Centrings are made of bearing steel, ensuring low-wear in moulds.

The new, maintenance-free sliding bushing (7040, 7041) will also be presented. In dry running, its very small clearance enables precise guidance. The sliding surface of the bushing is designed and structured to achieve high performance together with the surface of the pillars, Agathon notes.