Available from version: UF.510.1
Reference: monday.com report
Overview #
Starting with version UF.510.1, a new Synchronized Heating feature is available for barrel and internal hotrunner heating. The goal is to bring all heating zones into the defined tolerance range simultaneously using a configurable synchronization period and temperature margin.
Summary and Conclusion #
The Synchronized Heating feature was successfully tested and verified. While the approach significantly increases the total heat-up time compared to standard heatup, it ensures that all zones reach target temperatures within a narrow tolerance window.
From an energy efficiency standpoint, the extended heat-up duration makes it difficult to justify this method as an energy-saving measure.
However, from a process engineering perspective, synchronized heating offers clear advantages:
- Reduces risk of local overheating
- Minimizes potential for plastic degradation or carbonization
- Ensures a more uniform thermal profile across the entire heating system
This makes the feature particularly valuable for sensitive materials and high-precision applications.
Detail Description #
Barrel HMI
Recommended Settings #
- Synchronized Heating Period: 2 seconds
- Synchronized Heating Tolerance: ±5 °C
These settings offer a practical balance between heating time and thermal uniformity.
Performance Comparison: Normal vs. Synchronized Heating #
| Test Case | Heating Time to Reach Tolerance | Synchronization Period | Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal Heating | 1,530 seconds | – | – |
| Synchronized Heating #1 | 4,800 seconds | 2 sec | ±5 °C |
| Synchronized Heating #2 | 5,700 seconds | 0.1 sec | ±5 °C |
| Synchronized Heating #3 | 5,400 seconds | 0.5 sec | ±5 °C |
| Synchronized Heating #4 | 5,700 seconds | 1 sec | ±5 °C |
Note: CSV traces are available for download: (monday.com report)
Standard Heating – Nozzle temperature heat up much faster
Synchronized Heating #1
Synchronized Heating #2
The extended nozzle zone has not yet been tuned. Autotuning will be performed and the tests repeated.
HMI Integration #
- New Setting: Activate Synchronous Heating for barrel and hotrunner zones
- Applicable for: IP-A, IP-B, and IP-C – and Hotrunner
Additional Heating Options #
Soft Start #
Limits initial heating power until a defined temperature or time threshold is reached.
- Maximum Power: Set limit as % of total power
- Time: Duration of reduced power
- Temperature: Threshold to switch to normal PID-controlled heating
Available for:
- Barrel Heating
- Mould Heating
Screw Protection #
Protects the screw from premature movement or material degradation.
- Protection Time: Delay after reaching temperature to ensure complete thermal saturation
- Switch-Off Delay: Countdown begins after heating is turned off; if time expires, purging is recommended to avoid material degradation
