More Info - Technovent

Technovent is a tool that works with the Supavent and Smartvent product ranges to bring your processes into the 21st Century.

Expected Results

Technovent was developed after extensive modelling of the moulding process and production trials. It solves the problem of effective mounting of thermocouple probes in moulds, and therefore gives much more accurate internal temperature measurements.

Technovent mounts the temperature sensor inside a Supavent or Smartvent, providing a secure and reliable mounting system while allowing maintenance to be carried out with ease. As the thermocouple probe is mounted inside the soft Supavent or Smartvent, it is less susceptible to damage from plastic attaching to the probe or pulling at the probe as it shrinks.

A number of moulders have experimented with internal pressurisation of their moulds, and it is not uncommon for pressurisation to provide good results during trials. This is deceptive, however. When the technology is moved to the production floor, moulders will often encounter problems: the pressure ports can become blocked with plastic; or they have to be packed with porous material to stop this happening. If the ports do become blocked, then the pressure does not arrive at the mould, and if port packing material is used, it can be blown inside the part when the pressure arrives. Using Technovent in conjunction with either Supavent or Smartvent will ensure that you do not encounter these problems.

The equipment developed by La Plastecnica will help advance the technical capability of the rotational moulding industry.

Venting Pressure Dynamics

Effective venting is critical to the success of rotational moulding. During the cooking cycle, small positive pressures in the mould can potentially reduce either the oven temperatures or the cycle time – or both.

The cooling stage is the most important part of the cycle when it comes to venting. Enabling sufficient air to enter the mould will prevent the formation of vacuums that are responsible for part-line blowholes and contribute towards part warpage.

Design Function

Technovent has been designed to enhance the Supavent and Smartvent ranges. Supavent and Smartvent can be difficult for the gloved hands of operators to remove from the mould, but, with Technovent acting as a handle, the safe removal of the vents will be far easier.

Combined with an appropriate length of thermocouple probe, Technovent also stiffens and strengthens the Supavent. The heavy powder pool has been known to deform Supavent in larger moulds, allowing small quantities of powder to escape, but Technovent will prevent this.

Finally, Technovent has also been designed to insulate Supavent and Smartvent, providing moulders with more cycles per vent.

Approved Mould Volumes and Materials

Technovent is designed to be used in conjunction with the existing 13mm (1/2”) Supavent and Smartvent systems. The size of mould that can be vented with a Technovent assembly depends on how the vent is used. Calculations suggest that a 13mm (1/2”) Supavent will be able to provide sufficient venting for a tank measuring up to 30 m3 (6,600 gal) if the vent is fed with compressed air at 0.2 bar.

We are happy to work with moulders to properly design their pressurisation systems for optimum results.

Use Within Existing Systems

Technovent can be used wherever Supavent and Smartvent are currently being used. In addition, Technovent will enable either Supavent or Smartvent to be used in situations where they have previously proven unsuitable. If Technovent is required to securely mount thermocouple attachments, the Technovent assembly will be a firmer fit than either Supavent or Smartvent alone.

Economic Benefits and Life Expectancy

Our venting products give you one less variable to worry about. If you are going to spend money on temperature measurement or pressurisation equipment, there is no point in wasting that money by compromising accurate results.

Alternative methods of mounting temperature sensors and controlling pressurisation of moulds have proven inconsistent.

If moulders simply insert temperature sensors inside vents, it is possible for the internal temperature measurements to be taken from a different location inside the mould every time. This gives inconsistent results.

Using an open copper tube to control pressurisation is also unreliable – it can easily get blocked. Technovent works with Supavent and Smartvent to maximise the potential of the equipment you have by monitoring internal temperatures and pressurising your moulds accurately and consistently. Although there is an initial outlay, there are no ongoing costs, and you will save money by eliminating costly mistakes.

Technovent is used in conjunction with Supavent and Smartvent. Under standard moulding conditions both Supavent and Smartvent will last more than 10 moulding cycles. The whole package (Supavent or Smartvent used with Technovent) will last for at least 10 cycles, and sometimes up to 250 if treated with respect. The stainless steel casting of Technovent, however, means that it will last as long as you do!

Further benefits may include reduced cycle times, lower processing temperatures and less reliance on operator expertise.

Fitting Instructions

See Fitting.