COOLING

During the final stage of cooling, mould temperature directly affects product dimensions and stability. Therefore, moulds must have an even distribution of water lines to accurately control the process and part-to-part uniformity.

A hot mould will...
· Produce parts with less stress and higher gloss.
· Usually requires less clamp tonnage to mould the part.
· Has a longer cycle time.
Engineering resins require hot moulds that run anywhere from 180 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit. Specialty resins require hot moulds in excess of 300°F.

A cold mould will...

· Produce parts with a dull surface appearance and more moulded in stress
· Requires more clamp tonnage to mould the part
· Has a shorter cycle time
Commodity type resins use a cold mould that typically runs at about 70°F or less.