Induction heating through radiofrequency

On June 18, the Rotofast project, a collective research project under the EU VII Framework Program, is due to come to Italy, specifically to the headquarters of Persico in Nembro, near Bergamo. The aim of this project, which has involved 11 partners, including Italian companies Persico, Termomacchine and Confindustria Bergamo, was to develop efficient heating and cooling technology for rotational moulding plants able to dramatically reduce cycle time, production costs, and energy consumption.
To this end, an induction heating system and an internal cooling system were developed. The first uses a medium frequency power supply and helical induction coils to generate heat within the mould. It also integrates a thermal insulating layer between the coil and the mould to facilitate the transfer of heat, while avoiding its dispersion. The second integrates an internal cooling system in addition to the external one. This system removes heat from the internal mould atmosphere, thereby reducing the cooling time. This also helps to reduce the pressure on the polymer when the latter reaches melting point. All this results in improved mechanical properties of the final product and a shorter cycle time.
During the special event organised to mark the Italian stage of the project's tour - this event is entitled "An example of innovation in induction through radio frequency: the Rotofast technology" - the partners will present the main results obtained in scientific and empirical tests involving mould flow simulation and the validation of the same by end users. The programme includes presentations by the following speakers: Pierino Persico (Persico), Guido Venturini (Confindustria Bergamo), Giorgio Costantino (Rotofast Project Officer), Lorenzo Bergamo (Persico), Romain Boizumault (Itav), Mark Kearns (Queen's University), Sebastian Daute (Kunststoff Institut), Martin Spencer (Trent Mouldings), Tim Marsden (British Plastics Federation) and Marco Vanzi (Confindustria Bergamo). A visit to the Persico facilities is also scheduled.