Plastics Industry Sensors
Thermocouples for Plastic Molding and Extrusion
These are general purpose thermocouples whose primary usage is on the barrels, nozzles and molds of plastic injection and plastic extrusion machinery. They are available in a wide variety of lengths, configurations and calibrations to meet virtually any need in the plastics manufacturing industries. Resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) are also available.
Armor Style Varidepth®
Adjusts to various depths by adjusting the cap up or down along the armor, eliminating the need to stock several fixed immersion depth sensors. 750° F Max.
Spring Style Varidepth®
Adjusts to various depths by adjusting the cap up or down along a 6" or 12" spring, eliminating the need to stock several fixed immersion depth sensors. 750° F Max.
Fixed Immersion
Immersion depth is fixed for your application with a spring loaded bayonet cap for quick insertion and detachment. Custom lengths available to meet your specifications. 900° F Max.
Adjustable Immersion
A compression fitting or compression mounted bayonet spring assembly allows user to determine the final immersion depth. 900°F Max.
Rigid (Fixed or Adjustable)
Immersion depth fixed to your specifications or adjustable with a compression fitting during installation. Rigid tube with no lead wire.
900° F Max.
General Purpose
Designed to be a simple plain sheath style thermocouple with no permanently attached fittings. Several OD's available including 4mm.
900° F Max.
Ring and Lug Type
Measures the surface temperature such as a barrel or mold. These are placed over a threaded stud and secured with a nut. 900° F Max.
Non-Immersion
The non-immersion nozzle melt single element thermocouple is available with 1/4-28 thread, stainless steel, rotatable fitting. The probe is 1/8" OD, closed end, grounded.
Nozzle Melt
Designed for injection molders, these seal against the high pressures encountered in the nozzle. Senses the actual temperature of the plastic just before it is injected in to the mold. 750° F Max.
Melt Bolt
Melt Bolt thermocouples are used on extruders and injection molding machines. The immersion tip provides direct melt temperature measurement. Available in rigid length mineral insulated or flexible armor with lead wire.
Retractable Melt Bolt
Measures melt stream temperature under working conditions. It can be installed wherever standard melt bolt thermocouples are used. Bolt lengths of 3", 5" and 7" are available. Adjustable by turning the rotating adjustment screw.
Armor Style Varidepth®
Description
The Varidepth thermocouple adjusts to many depths along the armor, eliminating the need to stock a variety of fixed immersion sensors. Compression of the flexible tube provides locking force that keeps the probe tip tight against the well bottom.
Varidepth thermocouples are available in Types J, K, T and E. Grounded Type K thermocouples have a welded tips; Types J, T and E thermocouples have silver soldered tipped probes for faster response.
Features
- Locking cap adjusts to any position
- Holds probe tip firmly against well bottom
- T/C at tip for maximum heat transfer
- Types J, K, and E up to 750°F over probe and tube
- Type T up to 500°F over probe and tube
Options
- Single 20 or 24 gauge element; dual 24 gauge element
- Cap for 12mm adapter
- Cap for 15mm adapter
- Termination available in stripped ends, lugs or plug/jack connectors
Spring Style Varidepth®
Description
The Varidepth thermocouple adjusts to many depths eliminating the need to stock a variety of fixed immersion sensors. Compression of the flexible tube provides locking force that keeps the probe tip tight against the well bottom.
Varidepth thermocouples are available in Types J, K, T and E. Grounded Type K thermocouples have a welded tips; Types J, T and E thermocouples have silver soldered tipped probes for faster response.
Features
- Locking cap adjusts to any position
- Holds probe tip firmly against well bottom
- T/C at tip for maximum heat transfer
- Types J, K, and E up to 750°F over probe and tube
- Type T up to 500°F over probe and tube
Options
- Single 20 or 24 gauge element; dual 24 gauge element
- Cap for 12mm adapter
- Cap for 15mm adapter
- Termination available in stripped ends, lugs or plug/jack connectors
Fixed Immersion Thermocouple
Description
Bayonet thermocouples have a compressible spring and locking cap for quick insertion and detachment. They are available with no protection tube ( insulation only), armor clad flexible tube, or stainless steel overbraid. All are light weight for easy connection to an instrument or a distant junction box.
Closed end tubes are silver soldered for Types J, T and E; and welded for Type K. Bayonet thermocouples are generally rated for service to 900°F under dry conditions; temperature rating does not apply to cold end terminations.
Features
- Locking cap/spring for quick and easy attachment/detachment
- Locking cap holds probe tip firmly against well bottom
- Thermocouple at tip for maximum heat transfer
- Maximum 900°F over probe and tube
Options
- Straight, 90°F angle or 45°F angle probe
- Fiberglass insulation with or without SS overbraid and/or armor clad tube on flexible length
Adjustable Immersion Thermocouple
Description
A compression fitting, or a compression mounted bayonet spring assembly allows user to determine final immersion depth. Minimum recommended bayonet spring compression is 1/4".
The bayonet spring assembly is available only with 1/8" o.d. probe; compression fitting is available with either 1/8" o.d. or 3/16" o.d. probe.
Features
- Thermocouple at tip of probe for maximum heat transfer
- Maximum 900°F over probe and tube
Options
- Straight, 90° angle or 45° angle probe
- Fiberglass insulation with or without SS overbraid and/or armor clad tube on flexible length
- Adjustable bayonet lock cap or threaded compression fitting
Rigid Thermocouple
Description
Thermocouple wire is duplex insulated, temperature rated to 900°F except Type T which is limited to 700°F. These temperatures do not apply to cold end termination. Standard junction style is closed and grounded.
Type K has a welded tip; others are silver soldered tipped probes for faster response.
Features
- Thermocouple at tip of probe for maximum heat transfer
- Maximum 900°F over probe and tube, except type T is 700°F
Options
- Straight, 90° angle or 45° angle probe
- Adjustable bayonet lock cap or threaded compression fitting
- Miniature plastic weatherproof head also available for cold end termination
General Purpose Thermocouple
Description
The general purpose thermocouple is designed to be a simple tube style thermocouple with no permanently attached fittings and crimped at the back of the tube with Teflon, Fiberglass, or Stainless Steel overbraid lead wire.
900°F Max.
The tube for 1/8" (grounded only) and 3/16" OD are crimped at the back of the probe.
Features
- Thermocouple at tip of probe for maximum heat transfer
- Maximum 900°F over probe and tube, except type T is 700°F
Options
- 1/8", 4mm, 3/16", 1/4", and 3/8" OD tubing available
- Available in 304 SS and 316 SS tubing (4mm is 304 SS Only)
Ring and Lug Thermocouple
Description
These thermocouples measure surface temperature, such as a barrel or mold. The ring or lug is placed over a threaded stud and secured with a nut.
A ring or lug thermocouple is often connected in parallel with another thermocouple to control at average temperature between barrel surface and some point inside the barrel.
Both thermocouples must be the same type, and have the same resistance. This arrangement produces closer control for more uniform temperature of the plastic melt.
Features
- Available in copper or stainless steel
- Ring and Lugs to fit many stud sizes
Options
- Fiberglass insulated flexible lead with or without SS overbraid
Nozzle Melt Thermocouple
Description
The nozzle melt thermocouple is designed for injection molders. This stainless steel thermocouple fits on the nozzle of an injection molding machine and senses the actual temperature of the plastic just before it is injected into the mold. This allows accurate control of the nozzle. Direct contact is the most reliable way to measure the melt temperature.
The thermocouple seals against the high pressures encountered in the nozzle. The mounting rotates, simplifying installation and eliminating the twisting of the leads. Quick disconnect plugs may be ordered.
This thermocouple will withstand the abuse of long production runs. Start-up time is minimized with melt temperature conditions quickly established. Two Type J sensor styles are available: 24 gauge strand, fiberglass insulated with stainless steel overbraid; and solid, magnesium oxide insulated, stainless steel sheathed probe with transition to 20 gauge strand, fiberglass insulated wire. Since the MgO, SS sheathed probe can be formed over a mandrel as small as 1/4?, this style is normally sold straight.
Features
- Temperature rating of 750°F excluding cold end termination
- Probe can be formed over mandrel to any desired angle at installation
Options
- Fiberglass insulated flexible lead with or without armor clad tube
Non-Immersion Thermocouple
Description
The non-immersion nozzle melt single element thermocouple is available with 1/4-28 thread, stainless steel, rotatable fitting. The probe is 1/8", closed-end grounded. The leads are available with stainless steel overbraid sheath. The thermocouple measures the temperature in a threaded shallow drilled hole.
Features
- 1/4-28 Thread size
- Fast response
Options
- Fiberglass insulation of flexible lead with or without SS overbraid
Melt Bolt Thermocouple
Description
Melt bolt thermocouples are specifically designed for melt stream on extruders and injection molding machines. The immersed tip provides direct melt temperature measurement.
Two styles are available. MgO (Mineral Insulated) insulated wire in a full length, rigid stainless steel probe or fiberglass insulated wire in a rigid stainless steel probe with a flexible, armor clad protection tube.
Standard bolt lengths are 3", 4" and 6". Other lengths are available. Typically 2" of protection tube ("Y" Dimension) beyond the bold head is satisfactory.
Features
- 1/2-20 UNF-2A mounting thread
- Fast response
Options
- MgO (Mineral Insulated)
- Fiberglass insulated with armor clad flexible lead
- 3, 4, and 6" bolt lengths standard; other lengths available
Retractable Melt Bolt Thermocouple
Description
The retractable melt bolt thermocouple measures melt stream temperature under working conditions. It can be installed wherever standard melt bolt thermocouples are used. Bolt lengths of 3", 5" and 7" are available. A ceramic insulator in the bolt tip reduces conduction from the barrel.
The probe is fitted with a positive stop to prohibit removal unless the hex nut is disengaged from the bolt. The 1/8" diameter probe provides minimum barrier to melt flow. You can adjust the tip of the probe from 1/8" to 1" on standard models; other depth ranges are available under special order. The element leads are MgO insulated; the measuring junction is exposed for fast response and rated to 900°F. This thermocouple is available with either single or dual Type J elements. Replacement elements are available.
Features
- Adjustable from 1/8" to 1" depth immersion standard; other ranges available
- Fast response; rated to 900°F
Options
- Single or Dual Element
- 3", 5", or 7" bolt
- Support tube surrounding probe