Gammaflux: Wireless LAN as a cost saver

Gammaflux Europe GmbH (www.gammaflux.de) has for some time been offering its new option, "Wireless LAN", for all of its hot runner temperature controllers. It permits particularly low-cost remote monitoring of the temperature controllers and the operating condition of the hot runner system, as the complex wiring that was necessary hitherto can now be completely waived. Instead, each controller is equipped with a small aerial for the wireless transmission of data to the base station. This station then relays all data in real time for evaluation and visualization, e.g. to the production manager´s office or to his laptop. "Wireless LAN" uses the B/G standard with a rate of 54 Mbit/s, and for data transmission it is equipped with WEP, WPA and WPA2 codes, which must be activated for data protection and security against outside interference. Together with the data from the control systems of the injection moulding machines – transmitted either conventionally or likewise by WLAN – the data thus obtained permits a complete monitoring of production.

With the aid of Wireless LAN, the production manager can monitor from his office not only the injection moulding shop´s entire production but also the operating condition and status of each individual machine. Thanks to the constant overview this system affords him, the production manager can efficiently coordinate the work of the machine operators and service engineers for mould changing, production optimizing and/or troubleshooting operations. This remote monitoring facility is particularly useful during night shifts or weekends, when only a minimum of personnel is on duty. Wireless LAN does not operate in just one direction either: without having to leave his office, the production manager can make any required adjustments to the settings of each individual hot runner temperature controller. One of the ultimate aims behind Wireless LAN is to enable a large part of the production process to be optimized from the production manager´s office or laptop. The Fill & Cool System from Priamus, which since K 2007 can be integrated into the hot runner temperature controllers from Gammaflux, likewise serves this aim.

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The Wireless LAN option is available for all Gammaflux controllers equipped with PCs and can also be retrofitted without difficulty. The company-internal remote monitoring facility made possible by Wireless LAN can also be augmented, in conjunction with a telephone modem, by a low-cost external remote diagnosis and maintenance facility: in the event of a malfunction, a Gammaflux engineer can make an "on-line inspection" of the hot-runner controller, analyse its condition, interpret the stored data and then give precise instructions for the elimination of the fault or malfunction. Experience has shown, moreover, that in this way the Gammaflux engineers can make better and more efficient use of the analytical functions incorporated in the controllers. And if a Gammaflux engineer has to come in person and deal with the problem on the spot, the on-line inspection has already told him where the problem probably lies and what replacement parts will be necessary. Being thus well prepared, the Gammaflux engineer will need only a minimum of time for the job, and the cost to the customer will be considerably less.

The Gammaflux TTC family of hot runner temperature control systems provides state-of-the-art performance for injection moulding applications up to 640 zones. The LEC controllers are suitable for smaller hot runner systems with up to 24 zones. They are available for 2, 6 or 12 zones. All controllers are of modular design, which means that individual control cards are easy to remove, add or replace.

Gammaflux Europe GmbH, Wiesbaden, Germany

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