New Hot-Runner Controls Come Fully Loaded.

Two new hot-runner temperature controllers offer sophisticated features at modest cost.

* Mold-Masters Ltd., Georgetown, Ont., introduced the Temp-Master controller for smaller systems. It has two, six or nine zones for a price from roughly $750 to $5000. It offers the same features as the company's more expensive SM-20 controller for larger systems. These include "universal" prewired enclosures, two user-adjustable ramp settings, PIDD control algorithm, easy calibration, programmable standby temperature, programmable high/low deviation alarms, and front-panel actuation of boost, standby, and closed-loop modes. Also, this is the firm's first low-cost product with digital communications.

* Orycon Control Technology Inc., Ocean, N.J., has come out with the 980 Series fuzzy-logic controller. One new feature is an RS232 interface for remote setting and monitoring from a PC. Each self-tuning module can identify whether it is connected to a highly dynamic cavity zone or a slow-changing manifold zone, and then adjusts its PID parameters accordingly. It also adjusts itself automatically to line-voltage fluctuations.

The 900 Series is said to be easily calibrated. It offers an expanded range of 15 diagnostic messages. Also new is the ability to use one zone to set all others simultaneously to the same temperature or to change all zones by the same increment. Price is $3510 for six zones and $5924 for 12.