inmex GmbH
About us
inmex GmbH is a young, innovative company that specializes in increasing the energy and production efficiency of injection molding machines and extruders.
In this context, we have developed an integrated heating system for plasticizing cylinders and nozzles, which significantly improves temperature control and results in significant energy savings. Our resulting main products are energy-efficient plasticizing units and internally heated nozzles that can be retrofitted regardless of the manufacturer (plug and play). The plasticizing units enable application-dependent heating energy savings of up to 62%.
We look forward to introducing you to our products with informative visual material at our trade fair stand.
Products & services
Energy-efficient plasticizing units
The start-up inmex is presenting its energy-efficient plasticizing technology at KUTENO 2024. These are manufacturer-independently retrofittable plasticizing units for injection molding machines that have a heating system integrated into the barrel and can therefore save up to 62% of heating energy. The highlight: The system does not require conventional heater bands; instead, the heating elements are integrated into the barrel. This leads to optimal heat transfer, which not only increases energy efficiency but also the heating time enormously. The slimmer design enables complete insulation of the barrel, which is encapsulated on the outside to avoid damage caused by overmolding. In addition, the innovative system leads to a more homogeneous heat distribution in the barrel, which results in a more even melting process. The plug-and-play system therefore offers numerous advantages with very little conversion effort. The injection molder does not have to make any changes to his machine controls, temperature profile or settings. The screw and nozzle can continue to be used and the plasticizing unit has the machine-specific interfaces, i.e. identical plugs with identical configuration.
internally-heated nozzles
The new internally heated inmex nozzles for injection molding plasticizing units lead to more uniform temperature control and more effective heat input in the nozzle area; this was already shown in an article in the trade magazine “Plastverarbeiter” (3/2021) for a Ø25 mm nozzle adapter from the manufacturer Arburg. Instead of a classic heating band that surrounds the nozzle body from the outside, an elongated heating element is used, which is wrapped in a spiral groove in the nozzle surface. In this way, the heating is integrated into the nozzle and the heat transfer is greatly improved in a simple manner. Both internally heated nozzle tips and internally heated nozzle adapters are possible. Advantages: • Better temperature control • Faster reaction to disturbances • Protection against pollution • Can be retrofitted to any machine • Temperature detection close to the tool • Small outside diameter
rapid cooling system
The energy-efficient inmex heating system is supplemented by cooling coils embedded in the barrel, through which cooling water can flow if necessary. The cooling system can be easily supplied from the machine's water distributor and controlled via an additional control module. After the cooling process, we recommend blowing out the pipes with compressed air to avoid the risk of blockages caused by evaporating residual water. Rapid cooling simplifies material changes where the barrel temperature needs to be reduced. Despite thermal insulation, the inmex barrel module cools down four times faster than a non-insulated standard unit in air. In addition, rapid cooling allows for time savings when rinsing after PEEK processing and offers a sensible approach to avoiding black spots. The rapid cooling can be retrofitted regardless of the manufacturer and, together with the innovative barrel heating, offers the greatest possible flexibility for the user. At our booth you have the opportunity to test a plasticizing unit with rapid cooling. Heat the unit to your desired temperature and cool it down again. Try it out for yourself and experience this innovative technology at our trade fair stand! We look forward to seeing you.
spare parts for plastic granulation
Our pelletizing heads for electrically heated systems (hot cutting) can optionally be manufactured with a replaceable wear insert. This makes it easier to remove the die plate. Ideally, a replacement insert is available while the previously used one is being reground. Our colleagues at SWS are also happy to provide grinding services, not only for die plates, but also for cutting rotors in cold cutting, for example. In underwater pelletizing, the die plates are fitted with carbide inserts, whose service life is many times longer than the nitrided alternative. Furthermore, regenerating the carbide inserts is more cost-effective than regrinding and heat-treating a nitrided plate. Thanks to our extensive manufacturing expertise, we can provide all types of knives in various qualities. For unknown geometries, we can easily manufacture from a sample. Particularly customer-friendly: Upon request, we offer a framework agreement for a specific knife quota for a period of one year. Our components are also used in recycling. For example, we supply cutting crowns, counter knives and scraper combs for shredders, as well as laser filters, mill knives and retaining plates for screen changers.
wear-resistant screw-tip
Conventional screw-tips consist of a tip, a locking ring, and a thrust ring. During plasticizing, the mass flow pushes the locking ring forward against the vanes of the rotating tip. This contact causes wear on both components. To prevent wear, the contact surfaces are often hard-faced or carbide-tipped. The patent-pending inmex non-return valve takes a different approach. It uses a two-part locking ring, with both ring halves internally guided by a fit with the extended vanes of the tip. The front ring segment engages with claws between the vanes of the tip, allowing the ring to rotate during plasticizing. The outer diameter of the front segment is smaller than the screw diameter, preventing the barrel from being worn by the rotating ring. The second ring segment, positioned toward the screw, corresponds to the nominal diameter of the screw, ensuring that it seals with the thrust ring during injection as usual. During metering, the first ring half is actively rotated, but the second ring half is not. As a result, the wear surface is no longer located between the vanes and the locking ring, but between the two ring segments, and is now three to four times larger than the standard size. This significantly extends the service life of the locking rings in the event of abrasive wear. In addition, the locking rings are pre-centered by the internal guide and close reliably for longer during injection, even with progressive wear. Another advantage concerns the screw, which is supported at its tip by the internally guided locking ring. This prevents the screw's vanes from being pressed against the barrel, which also has a positive effect on the screw's service life.