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moldmakingtechnology.com 35 molding. It involves raising the mold temperature during the filling phase then rapidly cooling the mold at the end of fill- ing. The heating and cooling can be achieve-filled using steam, induction, cartridge heaters or conformal cooling channels. All are complex and necessitate coordination among the mold builder, machine supplier and heating/cooling sources. One method that uses water for the cooling process is ball- filled-mold technology. In contrast to a standard mold with conventional tempering channels, a ball- filled-mold system replaces the typical cooling channels with a large recessed area directly under the mold cavity that is packed with hardened steel balls. (The balls also support the mold base and prevent flexing or distortion due to cavity pressures.) Pressurized hot and cold water alternately flood the same channel area, serving as the temperature control medium. This process enables a rapid, cyclical variothermic heating and cooling of the mold cavity. The cooling and heating are much more control- lable and effective due to the shorter, uniform distance to the part or mold cavity. The design reduces the amount of steel between the channel and the part, enabling high heat transferability, constant temperature along the cavity and quick temperature changes. To ensure that a ball-filled-mold sys- tem works properly, temperatures must be quickly switched as precisely as pos- FOR MORE INFORMATION Wittmann Battenfeld 860-496-9603, x266 brent.strawbridge@wittmann-group.com wittmann-group.com CONTRIBUTOR Brent Strawbridge is a national account manager for Wittmann Battenfeld. sible. Specially developed temperature controllers with two separate water circuits have been developed for this application and are highly recommended to ensure that the process works correctly. Foaming, along with this use of variotherm mold temper- ing (rapid mold heating and cooling), such as can be achieved with ball-filled-mold technology, makes it possible to meet the most stringent requirements concerning the weight, warpage, To ensure that a ball-filled- mold system works properly, temperatures must be quickly switched as precisely as possible. walter-tools.com/us Why not take your technology to the next level? It's easy with solutions that are leaps ahead of the standard. That's because each of our innovations represents our collective experience and engineering expertise - just what's needed to boost your productivity and your cutting edge. Sharpening your cutting edge. Visit us at IMTS Booth W-1700