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| The ECOPLUS MK2 |
Hennecke is reworking its portfolio of stand-alone high-pressure metering systems. As well as making a number of noticeable optimizations to the machine layout, development focused on factors such as sustainability, resource utilization, energy consumption and data integration. The machine manufacturer is presenting the sum total of all these benefits - which will be successively implemented for all metering systems, from entry level to high-end machines - as the 'MK2 – NEXT-GEN Metering Machine'. The ECOPLUS MK2, the entry-level model in the world of Hennecke high-pressure solutions, is the first of these. "We have focused on long-term and sustainable customer benefits with the highest quality at a favorable price," says Jens Winiarz, Senior Sales Director at Hennecke, explaining the advantages of the new ECOPLUS generation. The ECOPLUS MK2 has therefore been revised from the ground up to achieve higher performance at a lower purchase price. Despite the entry-level machine's attractive starting price, the focus is on the highest quality in all crucial elements: the mixhead, metering line and automation are all new developments with many detail improvements, but still based on renowned high-end variants.
High-quality parts and attractive price
The ECOPLUS MK2 combines innovative machine components which offfer many benefits to the user with well known, tried-and-tested modules. The metering pump, for example, is the company's latest in-house development: the recently introduced HX model. Hennecke has used its years of polyurethane processing experience to develop its own highly specialized pump, the first in the industry to be designed exclusively for polyurethane applications. The groundbreaking HX metering pump is significantly more pressure-resistant, quieter and more energy-efficient. In addition, integrated sensor technology provides the user with extensive information when required, as well as support such as predictive maintenance to ensure optimum availability.
For the mixhead, various sizes of the MT-E series are used, which was only introduced to the market last year. It offers the perfect balance of functional operability and the high-performance design features of the MT-A series. The MT-E mixhead is suitable for both open shot and docked processing of polyurethane materials and is available in three sizes. Of course, the latest Hennecke injector generation is also included with the FIXJET or FLEXJET models – another highlight in this price segment.
The ECOPLUS MK2 is controlled by the latest SIMATIC platform components. Here, too, without compromising on quality. The high-resolution, premium HMI with powerful CPU is home to a completely new and intuitive visualization system, which Hennecke calls FOAMATIC. It provides the operator with maximum performance and fast access for a wide range of applications. Thanks to optional remote HMI functionality, the FOAMATIC allows the user interface to be 'mirrored' on almost any network-compatible device with a display. This includes smartphones and tablets as well as large monitors for monitoring production. This not only makes control more convenient, but – depending on the production scenario – also much more efficient and safe.
The systems can be produced faster and more cost-effectively thanks to the standardization of components, the cross-product use of common parts and pre-defined equipment options. For customers, this means that the basic price for the entry-level ECOPLUS MK2 machine is noticeably reduced. In addition, customers benefit from a significantly faster production time. This halves the delivery time for an ECOPLUS MK2 from 16-20 weeks to around eight weeks.
Energy savings thanks to Blue Intelligence
Another advantage for users, explains Winiarz, is the long-term effect of the quality: On the one hand, Hennecke systems have a long service life, and on the other hand, they are significantly more energy-efficient thanks to the standard use of Hennecke Blue Intelligence technology. At Hennecke, Blue Intelligence encompasses all the measures serving to enhance the sustainability of production systems. In the case of the ECOPLUS MK2, this includes energy use when no shot is called, the automatically determined pump lead time, and efficient pumps that are more raw material-efficient due to improved temperature management. Depending on the individual production scenario, savings of up to 60% can be made.
