Chillers in the Injection Molding Process

March 13, 2024

Chillers are typically connected to the injection molding machine and the mold itself through a network of hoses or pipes. They regulate the temperature of the coolant to ensure that it remains within the specified range, which is critical for achieving the desired quality and consistency of the molded parts. They come in various sizes and configurations, depending on your specific requirements. Some features may include temperature controls, flow rate adjustments, and monitoring systems to optimize performance and efficiency.

Chillers play a crucial role for several reasons:

1. Temperature Control: Injection molding requires precise temperature control to ensure the quality and consistency of the molded parts. Chillers help maintain the temperature of the mold at the desired level, preventing overheating or undercooling, which can lead to defects in the final product.
2. Cooling Time Reduction: Proper cooling is essential for the solidification of the molten plastic inside the mold. Chillers help reduce the cooling time by efficiently removing heat from the mold, allowing for faster production cycles and increased productivity.
3. Prevention of Warping and Shrinkage: Rapid and uniform cooling facilitated by chillers helps prevent warping and shrinkage of the molded parts. This ensures that the final products meet dimensional requirements and have consistent quality.
4. Consistency and Reproducibility: Maintaining consistent temperature conditions throughout the injection molding process is crucial for producing parts with uniform properties and dimensions.
5. Extended Tool Life: Heat can accelerate wear and tear on injection molds, leading to shorter tool life and increased maintenance costs. By keeping the molds cool, chillers help prolong the life of the molds, reducing downtime and replacement expenses.

The Right Type
Most refrigeration is designed for static loads, like in a meat cooler. In plastics processing, heat is added to and removed from the mold during every cycle. Select a chiller designed for active heat loads.

The Right Size
Although an undersized chiller will cost less to buy, the chiller will be running at full capacity, resulting in higher operating costs. And even then, you may have trouble consistently keeping the mold cold. Read more in our blog: How to Size a Chiller.

Overall, chillers play a vital role in the injection molding process by facilitating proper cooling of the mold, which helps prevent defects, ensures dimensional accuracy, and enhances the overall production efficiency.