TECHNOLOGY IN ACTION  ADVERTORIALS Where would I find a flow computer?


Not at home! - Domestic gas sup- ply is delivered through a 6-15mm diameter pipe at just over atmos- pheric pressure (1Bar+). Imagine a pipe of 100-2,000mm diameter at pressures of up to 180Bar, the rate of flow can be very rapid. When pressure is exerted on a gas or liquid its volume changes, by how much depends on what the gas or liquid


is. Flow computers take the rates of flow from a number of measurement devices to calculate the actual volume of gas or liquid flowing, ultimately resulting in a bill which can run to many millions of £/$ per hour.


Flow measurements are usually taken either at the point of production or point of use, although there may be others in between such as: • Oil rigs and gas platforms. Extraction of hydrocarbons from underground and can be offshore or onshore. Measurements of both quantity and quality are taken since these are crude products which usually contain many impurities, such as sea water or sand, which need to be filtered out. • Storage sites. With all consumable products, there are peaks and troughs in demand, but it is difficult and expensive to adjust production to match these. Storage sites are used to buffer production and demand. These can be above ground tanks, or unde ground caverns, converted for storage. • International transfer. Where pipes cross country borders, such as the Langeled gas pipeline from Norway to the UK, measurements are required to ensure the correct quantity is recorded. This particularly true when the two countries use different base conditions of pressure and temperature, or different metric and imperial units, or different standards of calculation. • Truck and Ship loading/unloading. Ships are often used to move product from one country to another. Trucks can be used to deliver product to off-grid locations, this is


especially true for refined products like petrol or diesel. • Factories and industrial processes. Very high energy demand processes, such as steel and cement works and brick kilns are required by EU legislation to have accu ate measurements of usage, which can also be used to calculate emissions, (see point 10). The flow of coolant systems that are critical to the safety of such processes can be monitored using flow computers. • Standby electricity generation stations. These are placed at strategic locations, ready to deliver electricity at short notice by using, for example, a modified 747 jet engine running on gas. These sites can be started and shutdown very quickly, usually within 15-20 minutes. This is compared to a coal fired power station which requires about 4 weeks and nuclear power station 4 months. These are especially useful on days when wind and solar are not able to output enough to meet demand. • Key points in the distribution network, this helps to manage the system but can also be used to detect leaks or theft. • Biogas injection sites. Waste organic matter is “brewed” to release methane which is mixed with propane to increase the calorific value above the minimum level before injecting into the national grid. • Hydrogen generation. Mostly standalone but could be used much like a Biogas Injection site, or in a closed system, to store wind and solar energy. • Exhaust emissions and efficiency measurements using standards such as BS8609:2014. By accurately measuring what fuel goes in and energy/work produced, a measure of efficiency can be made which can be used to predict maintenance requirements and pollution released from the process.


• Steam as a byproduct of electricity generation and other processes can be sold to other nearby factories a means of saving energy used for heating water. Steam is used during steel production for both heating and cooling, as well as mechanical power.


Ex~i Flow Measurement Ltd  mail@exiflowmeasurement.co.uk  www.exiflowmeasurement.com


Pushing the Limits of Precision: Gunther Hot Runner Innovation with 32 valve gates in just 70 x 35 mm


Gunther UK are proud to introduce a significant development in hot runner technology. In partnership with advanced tooling experts, the team has success- fully implemented an exceptionally compact valve gate system that delivers 32 gates within a footprint of only 70 mm x 35 mm – setting a new benchmark for high-density injection moulding particularly suited to the manufacture of parts like medical well plates for example.


Electric Valve Gate System with Servo-Controlled Precision


At the heart of this innovation lies an electrically driven valve gate system. The precision servo actu- ator enables fine adjustment of the needle position with ease and consistency. A custom-engineered sliding plate with recirculating rollers provides targeted and robust force transmission, ensuring reliable closure of the valve pin precisely at each injection point. The synergy of these elements enhances both process stability and repeatability in large-volume production. Engineered with flexibility in mind, the modular system can be scaled up to accommodate as many as 96 injection points, again on a very small footprint. This makes it an ideal choice for a wide variety of moulding applications, particularly where space is at a premium.


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Optimised for Temperature and Flow Consistency As always with Gunther, thermal control has been a critical focus of the development. Dedicated heating zones ensure uniform temperature across melt-flow areas, while the manifold’s optimised channel layout delivers balanced melt distribution – even in complex, multi-cavity configurations.


The high precision needle guide, also known as a PM insert, made from wear-resistant material, supports consistent gate quality, long-term durability and ease of maintenance.This is complemented by a temperature control concept co-developed with the tooling partner, achieving seamless integration between mould and hot runner components.


Redefining Precision for the UK Plastics Industry Gunther UK’s latest advancement reaffirms its commit- ment to precision and innovation in injection moulding. By addressing the growing demand for compact, multi-cavity systems, this new hot runner solution is well-positioned to meet the exacting standards of manu- facturers across the UK and Ireland.


Gunther UK Reiner Heedeniy  01474 879774


IRISH MANUFACTURING JULY/AUGUST 2025


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