NPE2018: Frigel enhances Microgel RCP Chiller with digital controls

Frigel (East Dundee, IL) has extended its digital control technology to the Microgel RCP Chiller, giving processors in demanding polyethylene terephthalate (PET) preform and large-part blowmolding operations the ability to more effectively optimize productivity, profitability and quality. The company invites attendees of NPE2018 to see the Microgel RCP Chiller at booth S14085, located in the show’s first-ever Bottle Zone. 

Designed to deliver high-pressure and high-flow cooling water for individual processing machines, the Microgel RCP Chiller eliminates the need for central chiller systems in PET preform, large-part blowmolding and high-speed multi-cavity injection molding applications. The addition of digital controls gives users the ability to capture process-cooling energy consumption data and more easily adjust the unit to achieve optimal efficiency and cost savings. 

The enhancement to the Microgel RCP Chiller is another example of Frigel’s commitment to helping processors leverage process-cooling innovations to gain a clear-cut advantage, said Frigel North America Marketing Manager Al Fosco.

“The Microgel RCP Chiller is the only machine-side chiller that provides powerful cooling with high coolant pressure and flow throughout the mold, which is essential in PET preform and large-part blowmolding applications,” said Frigel North America Marketing Manager Al Fosco. “The addition of our digital controls meets another essential need by allowing processors to more readily access process cooling data, including energy data, over extended periods. As a result, processors are better able to cost-effectively and efficiently improve cycle times and consistently produce quality products in these demanding cooling applications.”

The Microgel RCP Chiller is among numerous Frigel innovations on display at NPE2018. Frigel’s presence at NPE extends beyond its booth with 32 Frigel units operating in 14 booths of leading plastics machinery manufacturers, which is unprecedented for any process-cooling equipment company. 

Frigel also announced the availability of HB-Therm Temperature Control Units (TCUs) in North America that use water—not synthetic oil—as a heat transfer fluid to cool plastic molds at operating temperatures of 200° to 230° C (392° to 446° F). The water HB-Therm TCUs deliver precise cooling while eliminating environmental concerns associated with oil TCUs, which are often used to achieve high operating temperatures. Additionally, water as a heat transfer fluid is an inherently safer option than synthetic oil.

Frigel will display the HB-Therm TCUs in booth W193.

Frigel North America has served as the exclusive distributor of HB-Therm TCUs in the United States and Canada for nearly a decade. HB-Therm AG manufactures the full line of TCUs at its operation in Gallen, Switzerland. The Swiss TCUs have proven to provide highly accurate temperature control in applications where precise cooling is essential. Examples include medical applications that require validation of process cooling temperatures and small, injection-molded precision parts. 

“With these high-temperature water TCUs, processors can maintain precise cooling at high temperatures without the environmental concerns normally associated with the use of oil as a heat transfer fluid,” Fosco said. “Water is also a more safe option than oil."

The high-temperature water HB-Therm TCUs complement the existing line of HB-Therm water TCUs rated to deliver and maintain process-cooling water from 100° to 180° C (212° to 355° F).