Technotrans: Networked thermal management for optical injection-moulded parts

(Image: Technotrans)

At Fakuma 2026, Technotrans SE will present a networked production cell for manufacturing transparent polycarbonate playing-card boxes. According to the company, the application is based on an all-electric injection-moulding machine from Sumitomo (SHI) Demag. The cooling and temperature-control components communicate with the machine controller via OPC UA.

Two “eco.line” temperature-control units provide conventional mould temperature control. They are equipped with variable-speed centrifugal pumps and the “ecoAnalyser” pump-efficiency module. The module adjusts the pumps’ power consumption to the specific process requirements. The units also process data from the “orcinus” multi-circuit water distributor integrated into the injection-moulding machine. This hydraulically balances the temperature-control circuits and also transmits its process parameters via OPC UA.

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To reduce internal stresses, Technotrans combines conventional temperature control with the “vario Gekko” variothermal system developed jointly with Contura and CycleTemp. According to Technotrans, the compact unit requires no external valve stations. Separate return lines direct the water used as a heat-transfer medium back into the appropriate heating or cooling circuit. Large water reservoirs are designed to enable rapid heating and cooling. The company puts the potential energy savings at up to 40 percent.

The precise temperature control is intended to reduce birefringence and cloudiness in particular in optically demanding polycarbonate components. At the trade-fair stand, the internal stress state of the manufactured boxes will be visualised using a polarising filter.

For process cooling in the production cell, Technotrans uses a “teco cw” chilled-water temperature-control unit. In a second application, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag uses a 48-cavity mould to produce beverage closures. Mould and machine cooling is provided by the air-cooled “weco 85” chiller with a high-pressure pump. Both cooling systems use propane (R290) as a natural refrigerant.

Additional partners are involved in the production cell. Contura and CycleTemp supply components for variothermal mould temperature control and the thermally engineered mould inserts. Matsui contributes a material dryer, while TST supplies the quick-release couplings for the water and cooling circuits. Optogon processes the manufactured boxes using an ultrashort-pulse laser.

Fakuma 2026
Friedrichshafen, Germany
12–16 October 2026
Hall B1, Stand 1104

More information: www.technotrans.de

Technotrans SE, Sassenberg, Germany

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