Electronic Multi-Circuit Distribution Systems Products(6)
RUMMEL›Rummel FlowBasic Multi-Circuit Distribution System
- Flow and temperature measured in every circuit, optional pressure
- Vortex piezoceramic sensor, 1.0–20 L/min
- Water up to 120 °C, max. 10 bar
RUMMEL›Rummel FlowBasicHot Multi-Circuit Distribution System
- Pressurized hot water up to 160 °C, max. 15 bar
- Vortex piezoceramic sensor, 1.0–18 L/min
- Suitable for open and closed circuits
RUMMEL›Rummel FlowCon Automatic Flow and Temperature Control System
- Automatic flow setting with an electronic proportional valve in every circuit
- Control that holds the supply-return temperature difference constant
- Automatic flow or automatic temperature control mode
RUMMEL›Rummel FlowHot Multi-Circuit Distribution System
- Hot water up to 180 °C, max. 15 bar
- Mechatronic measurement, wide range of 0.3–25 L/min
- Also monitors low flow in small core circuits
RUMMEL›Rummel FlowOil Multi-Circuit Distribution System
- With heat transfer oil up to 200 °C, max. 15 bar
- Mechatronic measurement, 0.3–25 L/min
- Suitable for open and closed circuits
RUMMEL›Rummel Control Unit and Operator Panel
- Control and display solution dedicated to multi-circuit distribution systems
- Panel from 4.3" single-touch to 12.1" multi-touch; 7" standard
- Control and I/O systems adapted to the application
What is an electronic multi-circuit distribution system?
An electronic multi-circuit distribution system is a system that distributes the mold temperature control medium in parallel to several separate mold circuits and measures, displays and records flow and temperature by sensor in every circuit. What sets it apart from a mechanical flow regulator is that the data do not depend on the operator's eye: limit values are defined per circuit, the system raises an alarm on deviation, and this alarm can be passed to the injection molding machine or to the production tracking system.
Rummel's family is built on a single manifold and measuring logic; the models differ by temperature class, type of medium and whether the circuit is set manually or automatically. For the temperature control unit side, see the mold temperature control systems page.
Why electronic monitoring in mold temperature control?
The temperature control circuits of a mold do not fail at the same time. One circuit narrows with scale, a hose gets crushed in another, a coupling partly closes in a third. At the outlet of the temperature control unit everything looks normal; the problem is inside the mold. Without per-circuit measurement, this situation is noticed in this order: first the cycle time grows, then the part warps in one zone, and finally scrap increases.
Electronic multi-circuit distribution reverses this order:
- The alarm comes before scrap. When the flow drops below the lower limit, the system warns; action is taken before the part goes wrong.
- The location of the problem is exact. Because the circuits are separate, it is visible which circuit, and therefore which zone of the mold, is affected.
- A record remains. Flow and temperature history are stored; since when a circuit has been deteriorating and which batches it affected can be traced back.
- Mold parameters are stored. When the same mold is mounted again, the limit values are recalled from the record, not from memory.
Parallel distribution without hose bridges also reduces pressure loss, increases the flow per circuit and improves heat transfer in the mold.
Measuring principles
The family uses two different flow measuring principles:
- Vortex piezoceramic sensor — FlowBasic, FlowBasicHot and FlowCon. It contains no moving parts; the measuring range is 1.0–20 L/min (1.0–18 L/min on FlowBasicHot).
- Mechatronic measurement — FlowHot and FlowOil. The measuring range is 0.3–25 L/min; it is used in 180 °C hot water and 200 °C heat transfer oil applications.
Comparison
| Product | Max. temperature | Measurement | Circuit control |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlowBasic | 120 °C, water | Vortex, 1.0–20 L/min | Manual ball valve |
| FlowBasicHot | 160 °C, water | Vortex, 1.0–18 L/min | Manual ball valve |
| FlowCon | Control up to 100 °C (table 120 °C), water | Vortex, 1.0–20 L/min | Electronic proportional valve, automatic |
| FlowHot | 180 °C, hot water | Mechatronic, 0.3–25 L/min | Manual ball valve |
| FlowOil | 200 °C, heat transfer oil | Mechatronic, 0.3–25 L/min | Manual ball valve |
On all models the main distribution connection is 1" female thread and the mold circuit connection 1/2" female thread; the seal is FKM (Viton), and the parts in contact with the medium are brass and stainless steel.
Manual setting or automatic control?
On FlowBasic, FlowBasicHot, FlowHot and FlowOil each circuit is set with a hand-operated ball valve; the system measures, displays and warns. FlowCon, on the other hand, uses an electronic proportional valve in every circuit and adjusts the flow itself so as to keep the supply-return temperature difference constant. In molds where the heat load varies markedly from zone to zone, automatic control removes the overcooling or undercooling imbalance that comes with a manual setting.
Modular design and control unit
The manifolds are offered in extension stages of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12 stations and can be expanded to up to 100 circuits by cascade connection. Visualization, logging and communication run through the control unit and operator panel: screen options from 4.3" to 12.1", OPC UA, Profinet, Modbus, Ethernet and serial interfaces, and remote access with the Remote Access Platform.
Is a simpler solution enough?
If the number of circuits is small, if no logging and alarms are needed, or if you want to keep your existing regulators, the solutions with mechanical indicators and the retrofit kit are on the water flow regulators page. To choose the temperature control unit, see the water temperature control units and oil temperature control units pages, and for information on the brand, the Rummel page.