Hammarplast
Helping to provide the right degree of temperature control at a Hammarplast Consumer factory enables huge energy savings and optimises production.
Hammarplast Consumer is a Swedish manufacturer of plastic consumer goods for storage, household and garden use. Producing these goods requires a carefully controlled chilled-water system, as the moulds have to be cooled at very precise temperatures, and the machines themselves also require cooling. When Hammarplast Consumer was experiencing shortages of cooling power at some machines and moulds, they contacted plastic and industrial consultant KREOL of Sweden AB. KREOL quickly became aware that the key to solving the problem was hydronic balancing and control. Familiar with IMI Hydronic Engineering' reputation for hydronic balancing know-how, KREOL knew just who to contact.
The challenge
The challenge at Hammarplast Consumer was to improve the efficiency and reliability of the factory’s moulding machines, while also achieving more consistent product quality via improved control of mould cooling. As both these objectives were linked to more precisely controlled cooling power, the objective was to achieve better regulation of the flow of chilled water to the machines and moulds.
The solution
IMI Hydronic Engineering started by closely reviewing the system, which had no balancing devices installed at that point. After measurements were taken onsite, detailed recommendations were handed to KREOL.
The solution involved several balancing valves at each machine to reliably cool down both the plastic mold and the machine’s hydraulic motor and gearbox.
KREOL then performed the hydronic calculations for each machine and balanced them with IMI Hydronic Engineering on hand to assist, while also using a heat camera to secure the moulding process. Finally, to ensure the full optimisation envisioned in the design phase, system performance was checked and validated, and the pump head and total flow were reduced to meet actual system needs.