TSU mechanical engineering students are designing and building a control system for the cooling of molds used in the plastic injection molding process. State-of-the-art cooling control is achieved by regulating the temperature of cooling water as it enters the mold. All cooling channels in the mold receive water at the same supply temperature. Recognizing that each channel has its own unique cooling needs, TSU students are designing an innovative system that will provide multiple channel control, which will allow different cooling rates for each cooling channel in the mold. In addition to multiple channel control, the project will implement a unique control strategy: control will be done on cooling rates rather than on coolant temperature. Controlling cooling rates rather than coolant temperature has the potential of providing more robust control of the injection molding process.

Project sponsor: Indiana 21st Century Technology Fund

Project advisor: Dr. Ramiro Bravo