The eGate is an all-electric valve gate control system for hot runner injection molds, replacing pneumatic and hydraulic pin actuation with servo-electric precision. Each valve pin's position, velocity, acceleration, and stroke are independently programmable — with positioning repeatability of ±0.01 mm. The system scales from 4-zone base configurations to 64-zone multi-manifold installations, all managed through the eGate Shop software with drag-and-drop sequencing and recipe storage.

What control modes are available for pin movement?

Five configurable modes cover the full range of molding strategies. Full Speed Open/Close provides simple binary actuation. Flow Front Speed Stabilization runs the pin at reduced speed for a set initial distance before accelerating — minimizing flow lines on visible surfaces. Balance Control holds the pin at an intermediate position until transfer, then opens fully for packing. Pack Control moves to an intermediate position at transfer for differential cavity packing. Complex Movements combine multiple stages in a single cycle for demanding optical or multi-shot applications.

How does eGate 2.0 address large-part sequential molding?

The eGate 2.0 variant targets large sequentially valve-gated parts with nozzle bore sizes from 12 to 25 mm and orifice diameters up to 8 mm. It uses EtherCAT for real-time deterministic communication between zones and individually water-cooled motors with thermal switch protection — essential for sustained operation on large tools with long cycle times. The electric actuator bolts directly to the manifold, minimizing stack height and enabling compatibility with magnetic clamping systems.

What is eGate sync and where does it fit?

eGate sync is the compact variant for tools with up to 12 zones. The junction box measures just 229 × 106 × 55 mm and draws approximately 7 A total — up to seven times less energy than an equivalent hydraulic power unit. All programming is via a wireless 10-inch tablet with a pre-installed app; recipes are stored on the junction box itself. The pin closed position can be set while the system remains inside the molding machine, simplifying setup changes between production runs.