Welcome!

A flow meter is a device which you place in-line with the cooling to measure the mass flow of coolant. Many of these can be purchased as part of a machined block with additional components such as temperature and pressure gauges also attached. Typically quick-connect style fittings are attached to either side of the block so that it can be attached directly to the water lines.

If you have a cooling line suspected of having a blockage, you can attach the flow meter and measure the flow and line pressure (if available). This flow can then be compared to a different line for comparison. Always make sure you isolate the circuit to ensure the pump is providing adequate pressure to the line in question.

You can also use the flow meter to help balance flow in a parallel water-line setup. Since a higher percentage of the water will flow through the circuit(s) with the least resistance, an imbalance will result in non-uniform coolant distribution across the mold. You can measure the water flow through each circuit of the parallel configuration. This information can be used to adjust the layout to make the flow more even throughout the system.

-Andy

If you can make acceptable parts with one injection velocity, then you should continue using one injection velocity. Each time you introduce another injection velocity to your profile, you increase the overall complexity of the system. This creates an addition point in the process where variability can be introduced as well as more potential for process tampering.

The goal of a processor is to establish a process using a straightforward systematic approach to setting each process parameter. If one profile can do the job correctly, there is no need to add a second velocity since the additional complexity can not be easily justified.

-Andy