Hot Runner Controller Adopts Second Generation Control Algorithm

Husky Technologies has launched a second-generation control algorithm for its line of Altanium mold controllers. Husky says the Advanced Reasoning Technology (ART 2.0) software delivers greater speed, precision and repeatability, while boosting efficiency by achieving faster heat-up times.  

Among the upgrades, ART 2.0 incorporates auto-tuning and heat-up strategies, as well as consistently accurate and precise control, reportedly reducing variability in the molding process on a shot-by-shot and mold-by-mold basis. The company cited test results that it says show how ART 2.0 can deliver up to 42% faster heat-up times with 30% less energy use.

In a release, Aurelien Bastien, Husky’s President of Hot Runners, Controllers & Medical said the all-new tuning and control not only enhance performance but also increase productivity. ART 2.0 includes two complementary heating strategies that mark an upgrade over Husky’s original ART Classic control solution.

The primary heating strategy is called UniStart, and it offers uniform and homogeneous heating while promoting even thermal expansion of components in the hot runner. Husky says UniStart distinguishes itself by finding the proper balance between applying full power to the slowest heating zone and controlling overshoot to minimize heat-up and stabilization time.

Next is AltaStart, which entails a patent-pending advanced algorithm that staggers heating across the mold so that all zones reach process temperature simultaneously. Here, power is not applied to lower mass zones until the last possible moment, which helps to reduce material residence time and minimize degradation in areas like the nozzles that have less melt volume. AltaStart also reduces energy consumption by not bringing the fastest responding zones, such as the tips, up to temperature until the end when they’re needed.

ART 2.0 auto-tuning capabilities reportedly permit a high level of control with minimal to no user interaction. Compared to systems with limited tuning, Husky says the ART 2.0 system has more available tuning choices for greater control. It uses individually adjustable P, I and D values for selection during the auto-tuning routine, increasing the chances of arriving at an optimal result by limiting any gaps that a zone may fall into using the one-parameter method.

Based on benchmark testing, Husky says ART 2.0 also provides a significant return on investment (ROI) due to the system’s ability to reach set point and stabilize the process faster.

In terms of user friendliness, Husky says the Altanium mold controller, powered by ART 2.0, has proven to be highly intuitive on a standard setup procedure for qualifying new molds. A highly functional human-machine interface (HMI) delivers this enhanced usability, reducing complexity and minimizing button presses.