Control technology for plastics processing
Plastic processing poses particular challenges for control technology. Whether for high-precision temperature management of an injection mould with multiple mould cavities or a filmed calendar which needs to be kept within a precise temperature window – at ELOTECH we have the experience to bring you the dependable solutions you need in a fiercely competitive world:
ELOTECH supplies special controls for the areas of extrusion, hot runners or the actual tool (temperature management controls). Our controllers regulate to the required setpoint temperature very rapidly with minimum overshoot. Our algorithm optimally controls the temperature particularly of very small nozzles.
Sample applications for plastics processing
Key features for plastics processing
Our ELOTECH controllers have lots of special functions, which efficiently support production process requirements in plastics processing:
- Process-adapted control algorithms
Our ELOTECH controllers are able to regulate power up or down constantly. This means that the temperature delta can be individually regulated beyond the time axis and adapt to the material properties so that unwanted chemical reactions, e.g., in the extrudate, are avoided.
- Up to 96 control zones
In the case of smaller products or for example in micro-injection moulding, the tools often have multiple mould cavities, all of which need to be precisely temperature controlled simultaneously. This is particularly the case in hot-runner applications. Our controllers have up to 96 control zones, which can cover the requirements.
Further functions:
- VNC viewer functions and webserver for the perfect remote-control unit
- Output ratio generation – from control operation (standard), manual operation, output ratio adoption from zone
- Self-optimising of PID parameters
- Soft start
- Temperature reduction "Lower"
- Boost function (temperature increase)
- Ramp function – define rising and falling ramp curves
- Current and performance value display per phase
- System heat sink monitoring
- Heater current monitoring
- Sensor error detection
- Graphical display including PID graph
- Grouping of zones
- Monitoring function
- Automatic sensor/load detection from 1st half-year 2021
- Loading of parameter sets via USB interface
- Tool menu – selection of pre-set recipes
- Process graph and PID graph for a precise overview of the work process
- User management – 3-levels of user management with respectively definable limitations
- Log book function – time-sorted illustration of messages, warnings and alarms
- Data storage via USB stick (graph, parameters, logbook)
- Sensor thermocouple type J, optional: L, K
Special production processes
... and how we support you
Extrusion
- 2-point / 3-point / 3-point step temperature controllers with linear and non-linear characteristic curves
- 1-zone and multi-zone design
- Up to 16 control zones
Injection moulding/ hot runner
- Multi-zone temperature controller for up to 96 heating zones
- Temperature device control for complete control and regulation of temperature control units
Film production / processing
- Digital measured value preparation
- Multi-zone temperature controller with custom curves
- Prepared for contactless temperature measurement, e.g., in film production