What is a hot runner temperature controller?
A hot runner controller is a specialized temperature controller that maintains dedicated injection molding components at the design temperature to ensure continuous flow of the mold material. This helps in producing the most consistent products. As one of the essential accessories of the hot runner system, the hot runner controller is interdependent with the hot runner system but relatively independent. Its accuracy and stability significantly impact the hot runner system, while the hot runner system also influences the hot runner controller's accuracy, stability, and service life.
Applications
- Appliances
- Automotive
- Medical devices
- Packaging
- Electronics
Types of Hot Runner Controllers Widely Used in the Market
- HMI-based hot runner controllers
- Standard plug-in hot runner controllers
- One card control two zones controllers
Components of a Hot Runner Controller
- Control module
- Mainframe
- Connectors and cables
How Does a Hot Runner Controller Work?
- Limit Control: Establishes set points that, when reached, send a signal from the hot runner controller to stop or start a process variable.
- Linear Control: Matches a variable input signal with a correspondingly variable control signal.
- PID Control: Monitors the error between the desired value and the actual value.
- Fuzzy Logic: A hot runner temperature control technique where variables can have imprecise values (e.g., partial truth) rather than binary states (completely true or completely false).
- Advanced or Non-linear Controls: Such as neural networking, adaptive gain, or emerging algorithms.
Hot runner systems provide superior injection molding results. The brains of these systems are the temperature controllers, which allow the system to operate optimally with minimal waste and improved quality.