With the spread of AI, the construction and expansion of data centers are accelerating rapidly worldwide. Within these data centers, many resin components are used, including connectors for servers and communication equipment, as well as cooling fan parts, creating a need for stable supply and increased production capacity.
In particular, optical cable connector components are becoming smaller and more precise, while also needing to be mass-produced. In the production of parts by injection molding, equipment that can increase production per hour by shortening cycle time is important, as it allows for precision molding with fewer cavities using small, precision molding machines.
In these settings, swing-type (rotating) extraction machines, which enable high-speed extraction for small molding machines, are proving invaluable. This article will explain...In light of the increased production needs for connector components driven by the demand for AI data centers, this article explains the reasons and features of choosing a swing-type extraction machine.
▼Key points of this article
- The construction and expansion of data centers driven by the proliferation of AI is leading to a global increase in demand for resin connector components used in servers and communication equipment.
- In particular, the demand for connectors in multi-core optical cables has surged as components used to connect GPUs and other devices used in large quantities in data centers, leading to simultaneous miniaturization and multi-core development.
- In precision connector molding, molds with a small number of cavities are used, so the key to increasing production lies in reducing the "mold open time" = product removal time.
- Swing-type (rotating) extractors can shorten mold opening time by extracting materials over the shortest distance through a rotating motion.
- Sailor Pen's Robotics Division's "SR Series" supports the mass production of small, precision parts with its lightweight carbon arms and high-output motors for high-speed extraction.
The increasing demand for AI data centers is driving increased production of connector components.
The construction and expansion of data centers, driven by the proliferation of AI, is increasing the demand for components used in servers and communication equipment. First, we will explain how this expansion in data center demand is impacting the production of connector components in particular.
The proliferation of AI is leading to an increase in data center construction.
The use of AI services has increased dramatically in recent years, and consequently, the construction and expansion of data centers are progressing all over the world. Even around our business unit (Ome City, Tokyo), which is a little outside the city center, large data centers under construction are noticeable, thanks to the convenience of land and electricity.
Data centers house numerous servers and network-related equipment, along with cooling and power supply systems to ensure their stable operation. Because these systems utilize many components, the demand for related parts is also expanding.
Reference source:Information and Communications White Paper, 7 Edition (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications)
Inside the server, numerous plastic connectors are used to connect power and signals, and many plastic components are also used in peripheral equipment such as cooling fans.
Increased demand for fiber optic cable connectors
In particular, connectors for multi-core optical cables are components used to connect GPUs and other devices that are used in large numbers (tens of thousands) in data centers for generational AI calculations, and demand for them is exploding.
While components themselves are becoming smaller to reduce the space they occupy, there is a trend towards increasing the number of connectors to improve workability.
Key points required for injection molding of connector components
Connector components are manufactured using plastic injection molding. What are the key points of this injection molding process? There are mainly two:
- Responding to small size, high precision, and mass production needs
- Shortening cycle time
Responding to small size, high precision, and mass production needs
Connectors that connect optical cables with a thickness of about 1/100th of a millimeter include:Submicron precisionThis is required. Furthermore, as mentioned above, demand is increasing explosively, and the ability to respond to mass production is also required.
One advantage of injection molding is that it allows for the mass production of identical items using molds,It is important to increase production efficiency while maintaining product quality..
Shortening cycle time
For connector parts requiring precise molding, molds with a relatively small number of cavities are often used rather than multi-cavity molds. In order to ensure sufficient production volume, it is necessary to shorten the time per cycle.
However, in order to maintain accuracy, molding conditions such as holding time cannot always be changed, and the time that can be shortened is the "time the mold is open," that is, the time it takes to remove the product.By adopting a high-speed extraction machine that can reliably extract products in a short amount of time, production efficiency can be improved.
Reasons why a swing-type dispenser is chosen
In injection molding of connector components, there is a need to stably produce small, high-precision products with short cycle times. To achieve this, an extraction machine is required that minimizes the time the mold is open and allows for the rapid and reliable removal of the molded product.
A swing-type extraction machine, developed for small molding machines, plays a vital role in these production environments.
High-speed extraction shortens cycle time.
Swing-type extractors are designed to enable high-speed extraction in order to accommodate production with short cycle times.
For example, the arm uses lightweight carbon material, creating a structure that allows for high-speed operation while suppressing inertia. Furthermore, when combined with a high-output motor, acceleration and deceleration can be performed quickly. This reduces the time the mold is open, leading to improved productivity.
Sailor Pen Co., Ltd.'s robotics division's swing-type dispenser
The production of connector components for AI data centers requires stable extraction with short cycle times.Sailor Pen's robotics division's swing-type dispenserSR seriesThis product is designed to handle high-speed mass production of these small molded parts.
Features of the SR series
The SR series is designed with high speed, high rigidity, and durability in mind, specifically for high-speed operation in small molding machines.The structure is simple, and consideration has been given to everyday usability and maintenance.
Furthermore, the SR series is equipped with a controller featuring a large touch panel. The clear and easy-to-use screen allows for smooth adjustment of settings and monitoring of operating status.
| Features | Outline |
|---|---|
| High-speed extraction | The combination of a lightweight arm and a high-output motor enables quick retrieval. |
| High rigidity | A structure that supports stable operation during high-speed driving. |
| Durability | Designed to meet the demands of mass production environments requiring repeated operation. |
| Operability | A controller equipped with a large touch panel. |
| Maintainability | Each part is easily accessible, making maintenance work simple. |
These features support stable production even in molding environments where high-cycle operation is required. Products that can be extracted include optical media discs such as CDs and DVDs, and small electronic components.
Reasons why it is suitable for optical cable connector production
In the molding of optical cable connector components, shortening the cycle time is crucial to ensure production volume while maintaining accuracy within a limited number of cavities.The SR series is characterized by its ability to shorten the time the mold is open through high-speed extraction, enabling stable continuous operation..
For detailed specifications and features of each model in the SR series, please refer to the swing-type dispenser "SR seriesPlease see the product page for "[product name]".
Summary
With the increasing construction of AI data centers, the demand for connector components used in servers and communication equipment is rising. Connector components must be small, highly precise, and yet produced in large quantities, so injection molding equipment that can shorten cycle times and ensure stable removal is crucial.
When increasing production of connector components, the selection of extraction machines, as well as molding machines and molds, significantly impacts productivity.Sailor Pen's Robotics Division has developed a swing-type dispenser,SR seriesWe don't just provide the product itself; we also handle the design and manufacture of chucks tailored to the molded product.
If you're looking to further reduce cycle time or strengthen your mass production line for small, precision parts, please feel free to contact us.Please contact us.
