Enhanced Mould Control Husky launches second-generation control algorithm for Altanium mould controller

Hot runner expert Husky Technologies, announced the launch of a second-generation control algorithm for its line of Altanium mould controllers. The Advanced Reasoning Technology (ART 2.0) software delivers greater speed, accuracy, precision, and repeatability compared to today’s existing temperature control systems, the company states.

The recently launched ART 2.0 mould control algorithm software from Husky, incorporates advanced auto-tuning and heat-up strategies which deliver higher out-of-the-box performance. It consistently delivers high accuracy and control precision, significantly reducing variability in the moulding process. According to Husky, test results show that ART 2.0 delivers up to 42 percent faster heat-up times with 30 percent less energy use.

Aurelien Bastien, Husky’s President of Hot Runners, Controllers & Medical says: “The all-new tuning and control solution enhances performance while increasing productivity and significantly impacting a moulder’s bottom line.”

ART 2.0 includes two complementary heating solutions, which upgrade Husky’s original ART Classic control solution. The primary heating strategy is Unistart which offers uniform and homogeneous heating while promoting even thermal expansion of components in the hot runner. Unistart distinguishes itself by finding the right balance between applying full power to the slowest heating zone and controlling overshoot to minimize heat-up and stabilization time.

A complement to Unistart is Altastart, a patent pending advanced algorithm which staggers heating so that all zones reach process temperature simultaneously. Power is not applied to lower mass zones until the last possible moment, reducing material residence time and minimizing degradation in areas like the nozzles with less melt volume. Altastart also reduces energy consumption by bringing the fastest responding zones, such as the tips, to temperature last.

ART 2.0 also provides auto-tuning capabilities that ensure a high level of control with minimal to no user interaction. Unlike competitive systems with limited tuning outcomes, the ART 2.0 system has more available tuning choices to deliver high level 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 the benchmark testing, we start making good parts sooner than conventional control systems,” said Bastien. “We achieve a faster payback because we produce more parts in a shorter period of time.”

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