Mold Temperature Controller (Water Type)

Overview

The CXM Series Water-Type Mold Temperature Controller (MTC) is a high-precision thermal regulation system engineered for plastic molding industries including injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, and die casting. Using water as the heat transfer medium, the CXM series delivers superior heat transfer efficiency compared to oil-type systems — enabling rapid mold warm-up, precise temperature stability, and a clean, oil-free operating environment ideal for medical, food packaging, and optical applications.

Available in six power configurations from CXM-6S to CXM-36S with heating capacities of 6 kW to 36 kW, the CXM series covers a wide range of mold sizes and production requirements. Standard models offer temperature control from room temperature to 98°C or 120°C, while Chenxing's proprietary super-boiling water technology extends the upper limit to 180°C — pushing the boundaries of what water-type MTCs can achieve.

At the core of the CXM series is a closed-loop PID control system that maintains mold temperature within ±1°C, virtually eliminating thermal fluctuations that cause warpage, sink marks, and dimensional instability in finished parts. Stainless steel 304 seamless piping, a touch-screen control interface, and multiple automatic safety protections ensure reliable, low-maintenance operation across multi-shift production environments.

Technical Parameters

Note on Temperature Ranges: Models CXM-6S, CXM-12S, and CXM-24S are configured for RT–98°C standard operation. Models CXM-9S, CXM-18S, and CXM-36S are configured for RT–120°C extended-range operation. All models can be customized with Chenxing's super-boiling water technology to reach up to 180°C upon request.

System Configuration

Core Features

1. Water as Heat Transfer Medium — High Efficiency, Low Contamination

Compared with oil-type mold temperature controllers, water offers fundamentally superior thermal conductivity, enabling faster mold heat-up and more responsive temperature corrections. Water is non-toxic, non-flammable, and poses zero risk of oil contamination on molded parts — a critical advantage for medical devices, food-contact packaging, and optical lenses where surface cleanliness is non-negotiable.

2. Super-Boiling Water Technology — Up to 180°C

While standard water-type MTCs are limited to approximately 99°C at atmospheric pressure, Chenxing's proprietary super-boiling water temperature control system pressurizes the closed-loop circuit to elevate water's boiling point to 180°C. This breakthrough extends water-type MTC applicability to engineering plastics and high-temperature resins previously requiring oil-type systems, while retaining water's advantages in heat transfer speed and cleanliness.

3. PID Precision Control — ±1°C Stability

The CXM series employs a full PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) control algorithm with auto-tuning capability. The controller continuously samples mold temperature feedback and adjusts heater output in real time, holding temperature within ±1°C of the setpoint. This precision directly translates to reduced warpage, consistent part dimensions, and lower scrap rates in tight-tolerance molding.

4. All Stainless Steel 304 Seamless Pipe Circuit

Every water-contact surface in the CXM series — from the storage tank to the heating cylinder, circulating piping, and return line — is fabricated from 304-grade stainless steel seamless pipe. This eliminates the corrosion and rust contamination issues common in carbon-steel systems, ensures long-term pressure integrity, and maintains water quality over years of service.

5. Imported / Domestic Top-Brand Hot Water Pump

The circulating pump is sourced from internationally recognized or leading domestic manufacturers, selected for proven reliability in hot water applications. The mechanical seal is rated for continuous high-temperature duty, and pump sizing is matched to each model's heating capacity to ensure consistent flow rates even at maximum operating temperature.

6. Touch-Type Control Panel — Simple and Intuitive

The control interface uses a capacitive touch panel with clear digital readouts for set temperature, actual temperature, pump status, and alarm indicators. All operational parameters can be accessed and adjusted without navigating complex menu hierarchies. The panel also displays diagnostic fault codes for quick troubleshooting.

7. Multi-Layer Automatic Safety Protection

The CXM series integrates redundant safety protections: over-temperature cut-off (hardware-level, independent of PID), low-water-level alarm with automatic pump stop, pressure relief via system design, and electrical overload protection. These systems work in concert to prevent heater burnout, pump cavitation, and mold damage in unattended or overnight operation.

8. Modular and Compact Design

The CXM series features a clean, vertically integrated layout that minimizes floor space while keeping all service points — pump, heater, control panel, and piping connections — easily accessible. Lockable swivel casters allow the unit to be repositioned between molding cells as needed.

9. Direct Cooling with Fast Response

The direct cooling method injects cold water directly into the return circuit via a solenoid valve when the mold temperature exceeds the setpoint. This bypasses the thermal inertia of indirect heat exchangers, achieving sub-minute temperature correction — critical for thin-wall and high-cycle-time molding.

Applications

The CXM Series Water-Type Mold Temperature Controller is engineered for a broad spectrum of plastic and rubber processing industries:

For industry-specific application guidance, visit the Application Solutions page.

Production Process

The CXM water-type mold temperature controller operates on a closed-loop circulation principle:

[Water Tank] → [Pump Pressurization] → [Heating Cylinder] → [Mold Channel] → [Return Line] → [Cooling Unit] → [Water Tank]

Step-by-Step Operating Workflow:

1. Fill & Prime: The water tank is filled with clean, treated water. The circulating pump is primed to remove air from the piping circuit.

2. Set Temperature: The operator sets the desired mold temperature on the touch-screen PID controller. Auto-tuning mode can be activated for first-time mold setups.

3. Circulation & Heating: The pump draws water from the tank and pressurizes it through the 304 stainless steel heating cylinder. Electric heating elements raise the water temperature under PID-modulated power output.

4. Mold Temperature Stabilization: Heated water flows through the mold's internal channels, transferring heat to the mold steel. The mold reaches the set temperature and the PID controller enters steady-state regulation, pulsing heat as needed to maintain ±1°C stability.

5. Return & Cooling: After absorbing heat from the mold, the return water flows back to the system. If the return water temperature exceeds the setpoint, the direct-cooling solenoid valve opens, injecting cold water to bring the temperature down before it re-enters the tank.

6. Continuous Closed-Loop Operation: The cycle repeats indefinitely, with the PID controller dynamically balancing heating and cooling to hold the mold at a constant temperature throughout the production run.

FAQ

1. When should I choose a water-type MTC over an oil-type MTC?

Water-type mold temperature controllers are the preferred choice when the required mold temperature is within 180°C (with super-boiling technology), and when part surface cleanliness, cycle time, and thermal response speed are priorities. Water has roughly 4× higher specific heat capacity than thermal oil, meaning it can absorb and transfer more heat per unit volume — translating to faster mold warm-up and tighter temperature recovery after each molding cycle. Water systems are also inherently safer: non-flammable, non-toxic, and free from the carbonized residue problems that oil systems develop over time. If your application does not require temperatures above 180°C, a water-type MTC generally offers superior total cost of ownership due to lower media cost, simpler maintenance, and faster thermal response.

2. How does the super-boiling 180°C water MTC work, and what materials can it handle?

Chenxing's super-boiling water temperature controller operates on a pressurized closed-loop principle. By increasing the system's internal pressure above atmospheric, the boiling point of water is elevated — similar to how a pressure cooker functions. This allows the CXM series (when configured with the super-boiling option) to deliver water at up to 180°C without phase change to steam. This capability makes the water-type MTC suitable for engineering thermoplastics that typically require mold temperatures of 120–180°C, such as polycarbonate (PC), nylon (PA6/PA66), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and glass-fiber-reinforced grades. It bridges the gap between conventional water-type MTCs and oil-type systems, giving manufacturers access to water's cleanliness and efficiency advantages across a broader material spectrum.

3. How does PID control precision (±1°C) impact molded part quality?

Mold temperature is one of the three fundamental variables governing injection molding quality — alongside injection pressure and cooling time. A ±1°C PID control accuracy means the mold surface temperature variation during steady-state production is held within a 2°C band. This directly suppresses thermal shrinkage variation, which is the root cause of dimensional drift, warpage, and internal stress in finished parts. For thin-wall packaging where cycle times are measured in seconds, rapid and precise thermal recovery prevents cold-slug defects and ensures consistent filling. For optical lenses and medical components, temperature stability eliminates flow marks and birefringence caused by uneven cooling rates. In practical terms, ±1°C precision translates to a measurable reduction in dimensional tolerance drift and visual defect rates compared to ON/OFF or simple proportional controllers with 3–5°C dead bands.

4. What water quality is required, and how do I prevent scale buildup?

For optimal performance and longevity of the CXM series, use softened or demineralized water with total hardness below 50 ppm (as CaCO₃). Hard water containing calcium and magnesium ions will form scale deposits on the inner surface of the 304 stainless steel heating cylinder and piping over time, acting as a thermal insulator that reduces heating efficiency and can cause localized overheating. The 304 stainless steel construction is inherently more scale-resistant than carbon steel, but is not immune. Recommended maintenance includes: (a) installing a water softener or reverse osmosis pre-treatment on the feed line; (b) performing a quarterly internal descaling flush using a food-grade citric acid solution circulated at 60–70°C for 30 minutes; and (c) visually inspecting the heating cylinder interior during annual preventive maintenance. If the facility cannot provide treated water, shorten the descaling interval to monthly.

5. Can multiple CXM units be operated in parallel for large molds?

Yes, multiple CXM mold temperature controllers can be operated in parallel to serve large molds or multi-cavity tooling that exceeds the flow capacity of a single unit. When configuring a parallel setup: (a) all units should be set to the same target temperature and PID parameters to avoid thermal contention; (b) the circulating water manifolds should be designed with balanced flow paths — avoid simply teeing multiple pump outputs into a single mold inlet, as differing pump curves can cause backflow into the lower-pressure unit; (c) install one-way check valves on each unit's mold supply line to prevent cross-flow; and (d) ensure the combined pump flow of all parallel units does not exceed the mold's internal channel pressure rating. Chenxing provides manifold design consultation for multi-unit installations — contact our engineering team with your mold schematic for a tailored recommendation.

Why Choose Chenxing Machinery?

Chenxing Machinery is a specialized plastic processing machinery manufacturer with decades of engineering experience. Our comprehensive product portfolio covers the entire plastics processing value chain:

Size Reduction Equipment:

• SMF Series Disc Grinding Pulverizer — High-efficiency disc grinding for PE/PP/PVC powder production

• SMP Series Knives Pulverizer — Rotary knife milling for rigid and flexible plastics

• NSPC Series Crushing & Grinding Machine — Heavy-duty crusher for post-industrial and post-consumer waste

Extrusion Equipment:

• Conical Twin Screw Extruder — Optimized for PVC profile, pipe, and WPC processing

• High-Output Single Screw Extruder — Versatile single-screw design for PE, PP, and engineering resins

Pelletizing & Recycling Lines:

• SJ Series Water Strand Pelletizing Line — Complete compounding and pelletizing system

• Water-Ring Cutting Recycling & Granulating Line — Integrated waste plastic recycling solution

Profile & Pipe Extrusion Lines:

• PVC WPC Profile Extrusion Line — Turnkey profile production line for PVC and wood-plastic composites

• PPR/PPH High-Speed Pipe Production Line — High-speed pipe extrusion for plumbing and industrial applications

• PVC WPC Celuka Foam Board Sheet Extrusion Line — Foam board and sheet manufacturing system

Auxiliary Equipment:

• Chillers, Hopper Loaders, Vibrating Screens, Dust Collectors, Shredders — Complete line of supporting equipment

We bring full-line engineering expertise to every CXM mold temperature controller we ship, backed by in-house technical support and readily available spare parts.

Get in Touch

Ready to specify the right CXM mold temperature controller for your production line? Follow these steps:

1. Define Your Requirements — Identify your mold size, target temperature, and required flow rate. If unsure, share your mold drawings with our engineers.

2. Contact Our Team — Email ceo@cxsljx.com or call Nicole at +86 15951187228 with your specifications. We respond within one business day.

3. Receive a Tailored Proposal — We will recommend the optimal CXM model, including any customization (super-boiling, voltage adaptation, communication interfaces), along with a detailed quotation and lead time.

4. Install & Produce — Our technical team supports commissioning and operator training to ensure your CXM MTC integrates seamlessly into your production environment.