The typical mold cooling mediums are air, water and a water/ethylene glycol mixture. Air refers to heat radiating from the mold base steels. Water travels through passageways in the mold steels to carry away the heat. Water/ethylene glycol is used for extreme cooling requirements and also travels through passageways to carry away the heat.
How Cold Air Cools Mold Bases
This drawing represents the cross-sectional view of a mold base with the molded part and its runner system. The hot plastic resin will heat up the surrounding mold steels. Some of this heat will conduct into the machine platens and some of the heat will radiate into the air surrounding the mold base.
How Water Cools Mold Bases
This drawing represents the cross-sectional view of a mold base with the molded part and its runner system. Water channels have been drilled through the mold cavity and core steels. This enables circulating water to remove heat from the molded part by convection. The water temperature, flow, and pressure can be regulated.
How Water/Ethylene Glycol Mixture Cools Mold Bases
This drawing represents the cross-sectional view of a mold base with the molded part and its runner system. Water channels have been drilled through the mold cavity and core steels. This enables a circulating water / ethylene glycol mixture to remove heat from the molded part by convection. This mixture is used for extreme cooling requirements and requires a chilling unit.
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