Protection Against Moulded Parts Falling Outside the Machine
ClearFlex Side Curtain is a product by Technic Solution, developed through conversations with customers and real needs reported directly from production floors. It is a custom-made side curtain for injection moulding machine installations where moulded parts may fall outside the mould area. Attached to the upper and lower tie bars using Velcro straps, it combines easy installation with high functionality.
ClearFlex Side Curtain protects the area where it is mounted – the curtain width, fixed to the tie bars, cannot exceed the distance between the platens when the mould is closed. During the injection cycle, as the mould opens and parts are ejected, a gap may appear on the moving platen side. Its size depends on the mould design and the opening stroke required to eject the parts. Although individual parts may escape through this gap, the vast majority are effectively captured within the curtain area. The cost of this solution is several times lower than roller curtain systems, and the absence of moving parts further reduces the risk of damage. If you need a curtain synchronised with the machine cycle, see TORO-System AV.” An additional element is the lower slide – a flexible apron whose length and width are specified individually by the customer, adapted to the particular machine and chute layout. Parts are guided directly into the machine chute.
Application of Side Curtains for Injection Moulding Machines
One of the most common production problems is the uncontrolled falling of moulded parts outside the machine. Parts that fall outside the designated take-off area cannot be used and automatically become waste — especially in food and medical production, where any part outside the controlled zone is unusable.
ClearFlex Side Curtain solves the problem of securing moulded parts against falling wherever parts may drop outside the mould cavity area after mould opening. It ensures that parts within the curtain mounting area go directly to the take-off zone – without contact with tie bars, the machine bed or other structural elements. The product is particularly effective at workstations where parts are not collected from the mould by a robot.
ClearFlex Side Curtain works especially well with small moulded parts and multi-cavity high-cavity-count moulds. The smaller the parts and the more cavities in the mould, the greater the risk that ejected parts will scatter in all directions around the mould area. The curtain effectively limits this effect, guiding parts directly to the take-off zone.
Product also known as: injection moulding machine side roller blind, protective apron for injection moulding machine, injection moulding machine side guard.
ClearFlex Side Curtain is particularly well suited for the following industries:
- Injection moulding for the medical and pharmaceutical sector
- Production of technical components for the automotive industry
- Plastic injection moulding for the food and packaging industry
- Production of electrical and electronic components
- High-volume production for the consumer goods industry
Advantages of ClearFlex Side Curtain
- Custom-made – tailored to every injection moulding machine and customer project.
- Velcro or magnet mounting – quick installation on tie bars without drilling or additional frames. Depending on the machine configuration, the curtain can be attached using Velcro straps or magnets.
- Lower slide / “apron” – a unique feature of ClearFlex Side Curtain. Unlike most curtains, ClearFlex Side Curtain is fitted with a flexible “apron” extending the curtain downward towards the chute – effectively reducing the risk of parts falling outside the designated zone in the curtain mounting area.
- Cost-effectiveness – significantly lower price than standard market solutions, with full custom execution and no additional frames or machine modifications.
- High effectiveness at a lower cost – a solution significantly cheaper than mechanical (roller) curtains, with high part-capture effectiveness and its own advantages. In many cases it can be an ideal alternative – especially when low improvement costs and the absence of moving parts requiring servicing are priorities.
- Transparent material – full visibility of the moulding area at all times.
- Easy servicing – quick removal and reinstallation during mould changes or machine cleaning.
- No mechanisms – the curtain contains no moving or mechanical elements that could break down or require replacement. Minimum maintenance, maximum reliability.
How the Lower Slide / “Apron” Works
The lower section is sewn to the customer’s requirements and can take various shapes – adapted to the specific application. Its purpose is to stop parts in the mould area and direct them straight to the take-off zone. The flexible “apron” with length and width specified by the customer ensures parts are guided directly into the chute, with no possibility of falling outside the zone covered by the curtain.
Depending on the configuration, the “apron” can be attached to the chute using magnets (for standard steel chutes) or a weight (for stainless steel or other non-magnetic surfaces) – or it can simply rest against the chute by gravity.
ClearFlex Side Curtain not only protects the injection mould zone but also actively controls the trajectory of falling parts, reducing waste and keeping the workstation clean.
Pricing and Lead Time
Standard lead time is 2–3 weeks from order confirmation and receipt of dimensions.
To receive a quote, simply provide the mould area dimensions, photos of the tie bars and the chute direction. On this basis we design the lower slide / “apron” geometry and provide a price and delivery date.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Does ClearFlex Side Curtain provide 100% protection against parts falling?
The curtain is mounted on the machine tie bars and maintains a fixed width – it cannot be wider than the distance between the platens when the mould is closed. As the mould opens and parts are ejected, a gap may appear on the moving platen side. The vast majority of parts are nevertheless effectively captured within the curtain mounting area. If full sealing is required at every mould opening, we recommend the TORO-System AV with a spring mechanism.
Is the Velcro mounting secure?
Yes, we use industrial Velcro with high holding strength. The mounting points are adapted to the machine geometry and working conditions. This ensures the curtain stays firmly on the tie bars throughout operation, while still being easy to remove during mould changes or maintenance.
Does the lower slide / “apron” fit every machine?
Yes. The shape, length and width of the “apron” are designed based on your machine dimensions and photos. In most cases no additional frames are required.
My chute is made of stainless steel – will magnets work?
Magnets are not suitable for stainless steel chutes. In such cases we use a weight to hold the “apron”, or it rests against the chute by gravity. We always select the right solution based on your configuration.
Is ClearFlex Side Curtain suitable for medical production?
Yes – provided materials approved for this type of production are used. On individual order we select the appropriate material and sew a curtain meeting the requirements of medical and pharmaceutical environments. Parts within the curtain mounting area go directly to the take-off zone without contact with tie bars or the machine bed. Note that as the mould opens, a gap may appear on the moving platen side – its size depends on the mould design and opening stroke.
Does ClearFlex Side Curtain slow down the production cycle?
No – quite the opposite. It prevents parts from falling in the protected area and reduces the need for manual intervention, allowing smooth production flow.
Want to be sure parts end up where they should?
ClearFlex Side Curtain was created because our customers reported exactly this problem – and together we found a solution. Fill in the form below – we will design your curtain and send a quote within 24 hours. No commitment, no drilling, no downtime.
