Injection Moulding Asia Country Focus
Malaysia to step up exports China-based injection moulding machine maker Yizumi Precision is represented by WY Machinery Trading in Malaysia. According to David Seow, Assistant Manager of WY Machinery, Yizumi has about 200 customers in the country and its best seller includes the energy-saving machine. Malaysia-based Zhian Her Machinery Enterprise manufactures screws/barrels, bag making machines, control systems as well as the KTC and KTF linear motion position sensors. Company spokesperson Jim Yeh said sales have been a bit weak due to the lower output of plastic bags. “People have started to become more prudent when using plastic packaging,” he explained. Improving energy savings is also one of the main features of the machines of Malaysia’s ESM Precise Manufacturing. Based in the Klang Valley, the maker has used its years of experience to develop an energy-saving injection moulding machine. “The energy-saving system of the ESM120 is specially developed for mould makers. It’s highly effective and can cut costs,” said Susie Lee, Sales Manager.
The prevailing Euro debt crisis and sluggish US and Chinese economies will continue to affect the plastics manufacturing industry in Malaysia. During the 45th anniversary celebration of the Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA), held in Kuala Lumpur in June, President Lim Kok Boon said that local makers can profit from exports as long as they can match high quality with low costs. Meanwhile, Chinese and Taiwanese machine makers were at the recent M’sia Plas to showcase their technology.
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he Malaysian plastics industry registered a total turnover of RM16.14 billion in 2011, representing a 2.1% increase compared to RM15.81 billion in 2010. This was achieved on the back of a higher export value which has, however, partially eroded due to the weaker domestic electrical and electronics industry and mild decline in the automotive sector. However, exports continue to expand in view of the stronger demand from the packaging sectors in Japan and Europe. Total exports of plastic finished products for 2011 increased by 6.2% to RM9.97 billion, accounting for 62% of the total plastic products manufactured. Exports to Europe and the US will certainly continue despite the economic slowdown. Even at below-average growth, developed countries will continue to account for the majority of demand as companies will be hard-pressed to search for low-cost alternatives. Meanwhile, Australia with its rising economy is also seen as a leading export destination for Malaysian plastic manufacturers. “The strategy is to focus on export markets. Twelve years ago, exports only accounted for 30% or less for most manufacturers, but now most of our members are allocating 60% and above for exports, owing to the efforts by our members to promote their businesses in the huge global market rather than depending on the smaller home market,” said Lim. He added that manufacturers can profit as well as compete with low-cost manufacturing hubs such as China and Vietnam. “Manufacturers can do well even in a weak economy provided they can produce cheap and high quality plastic materials that suit the rigid requirements of the developed countries.”
ESM120 has been upgraded to accommodate more ranges of moulds
The ESM120 features a larger mould stroke, mould capacity and tie-bar distance to accommodate more ranges of moulds. The software has a larger mould memory to maintain data and parameters, to facilitate easy mould changes for customers, said Lee. She also said the machine has a newly designed oil and electric circuit that can meet the requirements of precision production. She added that the machine has been sold through marketing offices in Vietnam, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand. Conserving resources and protecting the environment was also the highlight at the booth of MPM Plastic Machinery, a joint venture company between Malaysian firm Mekahsa Plastic Machinery and Singapore-based Chuan Durn Plastic Industries.
Mould and die show promotes machinery ow in its 23rd year, the recent Malaysian International Plastic Mould & Die Exhibition or M’sia Plas showcased machineries brought by makers from China, Taiwan and Malaysia.
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MPM’s EcoTech process can be used by the building industry
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Country Focus The firm displayed the EcoTech process that uses the EcoPlas natural fibre composite material. According to Sales Manager To Teck Hoo, EcoPlas can be used by the building industry for constructing benches and bridges. “It’s ideal as a soundproofing and heat insulation material for residential and commercial building partitions,” he added. Expanding their reach to other markets xpanding its market presence is the agenda for China-based injection moulding machine maker Ningbo Haitai Plastic Machinery with the company currently looking for a potential dealer in Malaysia. According to Sales Manager Kevin Shen, the company ships 70% of its production to more than 20 countries. In Malaysia, Haitai has sold 300 machines since 2010. The firm’s small-sized machines are servomotor-driven, thereby enabling energy savings of up to 80%, said Shen. Taiwanese injection moulding machine maker Lien Fa Injection Machinery was also at the show to introduce its latest HS series. According to Joe Chiang, Export Sales Manager, the machine features a closed-loop servohydraulic controller that enables injection speed from 250 to 1,000 mm/second.
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Lien Fa’s HS features a closedloop servohydraulic controller
“What’s interesting about this machine is that it delivers high output and quality. With a 6 to 8 second-mould cycle time, processors can increase production capacity and realise higher profit,” Chiang explained. The HS series is suited for moulding tableware,
beverage cups and CD cases. Established in 1990, Taiwan-based Cherng Horng Machinery manufactures blown film machines, flexographic printing machines, bag making machines and recycling machines. “We have an experienced R&D team and this has led to a number of patented machinery. Because of this we have launched blown film extrusion machines (mono and three-layer) for pallet stretch film and cling film, a fully automatic rewinding machine for stretch and cling film and slitting rewinding machine,” said Kuo Ming Hsiang, Managing Director. At the show, the company presented its mini HDPE film extrusion machine with an automated cutting and changing winder. “The design is simple but the performance is outstanding. Customers will find the machine user friendly and easy to maintain. It is just perfect for high volume production,” he said. The machine is designed for the rewinding of stretch film from a jumbo roll into smaller rolls, without the need of a skilled operator and with one operator able to handle up to three units, according to Kuo. Cherng Horng’s mini HDPE film extruder
Instron Singapore Pte Limited 3A International Business Park, ICON @ IBP #06-16, Singapore 609935 Tel: +65 65860838 | go.instron.com/plastics
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