The Right Chiller for Your Injection Molding Production
Selecting the right chiller for your plastic injection molding department is crucial to ensure efficiency and quality in production. Here are some key points to consider:
- Chiller Size: The size of the chiller depends on the capacity of your injection molding machine. The calculation is based on the productivity in terms of Kg/h of the machines, the presence of hot runner systems in the molds, and the power to be dissipated by the hydraulic units of the presses.
- Flow Rate and Pressure of Chilled Water: Ensure that the chiller can provide the necessary flow rate and pressure of water for your process. It is important to maintain a narrow temperature delta on the mold line and around 5 degrees on the oil line.
- Water Quality: Using high-quality water is essential to prevent scaling and corrosion in the cooling circuits. Treat the water to remove impurities and ensure the system runs efficiently.
- Pipe Insulation: Ensure that the chilled water pipes are well insulated to prevent heat loss and maintain system efficiency.
- Energy Efficiency: To maximize energy efficiency, differentiate the temperatures as much as possible between the mold line and the hydraulic unit line, which can often be served by an alternative source to a chiller, such as a dry cooler. Consider integrating a chiller with free cooling and an adiabatic system on the oil line, depending on the desired set point.
- Maintenance and Support: Choose a chiller that is easy to maintain and has good technical support. This can reduce downtime and ensure continuous operation.