Lime Scale
The formation of lime scale on metal surfaces which use water to control temperature is a serious issue. Not only does the lime scale reduce the bore diameter but it also insulates too. Many industrial processes suffer this problem including injection moulding. Regloplas is a well known world leader in the design and manufacture of mould heaters, however not everyone knows that many years ago they also turned their expertise to removing lime scale from water ways in order to maximise the effects of their products and to address a specific customer problem.
From time to time at Motan we are presented with an ideal opportunity to prove some of our products on the front line and record our findings bit by bit as we go along. In this case, we tested the Regloplas descaling unit at an injection moulding company which had a long history of struggling with lime scale.
Application
| |
Detail |
Before |
After |
| Machine Type |
Sandretto |
|
|
| Part Description |
Letter Tray |
|
|
| Shot Weight |
171g |
|
|
| Dimensions |
600 x 600 x 450 |
|
|
| Cycle Time |
- |
28.8 secs |
23.0 secs |
| Flow Rate |
Moving Half |
0.5 l/min |
8.4 l/min |
| Material |
Hi Impact PS |
|
|
| Temperature |
50˚C |
|
|
Problem
- Cycle times are much slower than they should be.
- Cooling channels are thought to be restricted and therefore not allowing the heat to be dissipated from the tool.
- The channels in the side cheeks also appear almost blocked.
Conclusion
- Cycle time reduced by 20%
- Production yield increased by 24.8%
- Heat up time reduced by 50%
It was thought that the cycle time could be reduced further, however it was found that the operator could no longer keep up with finishing and packing the product !
This is one of Regloplas's most straight forward products, produced by the Swiss manufacturer virtually unchanged for the past 20+ years.
 |
When asked, Mr Christian Ebneter (Regloplas, Switzerland) commented.
"This product was designed to be simple and effective, although we have added a heating element which greatly speeds up the lime removal, it shows that a little thought and technology goes a long way. Naturally we only use environmentally friendly compounds to remove the lime"
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Product Uses
- Injection moulding tools
- Moulding machine shell & tube exchangers (hydraulic oil)
- Mould heater coolers
- Extrusion barrels & tools
- Any water circuit.
Further Information
If you would like to see the full written report in pdf format simply click the link below to request a copy. There is also a link to the Regloplas descaling unit page.
Links
- Please send me a copy of the full report - Click Here
- Please show me the product page for the descaling unit - Click Here
- Please e-mail me the CoSHH Safety Data Sheet for the descaling agent - Click Here
