DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW METHOD FOR MAKING A HEATING CYCLE TIME DECISION IN ROTOMOLDING
The Rotomolding process has grown in the world due to the characteristics of the types of parts and finishes that can be produced, however, a lack of information on how to complete the furnace heating cycles increases the cycle time and limits the economic viability of this process. In this context, the present study developed a new method for decision making of heating cycle time in Rotomolding. Thus, a carousel type Rotomolding machine with three arms with movements of rotation and translation movements controlled by frequency inverters, controlled by an Ethernet output point PLC system and integrated to the HMI screen with SQL database output, which generated time for machine cycle as OEE, it was adapted through modifications, such as: the installation of two static molds equipped with temperature sensors, in two different positions, which transmitted data via modbus communication to the machine PLC, and a K-paqTM equipment, which, through sensors and radio frequency communication, used the internal temperature of the production mold as a reference. After carrying out the experiments, it was verified that the adaptations carried out in the Rotational Molding Machine are efficient for the development of the research. The Rotomolding graphs showed that the process was stable and that there was a difference of 82.3 ° C between static molds 1 and 2. Static mold 1 showed a difference of 1.5 ° C in relation to the production mold, provided that this was the best among the molds tested in this research. Thus, it was found that the method developed in this research was reliable for decision on the heating cycle time in the Rotational Molding of HDPE parts.