Determining Metering Rate
To insure accuracy a METERING RATE must be determined for each color. It is only necessary to determine Metering Rate once for each color. Record Metering Rate for each color for future reference.
- Switch to CYCLE.
- Turn CALIBRATION knob (upper right corner) to “CALIBRATE”.
This will force one cycle of 100 counts to be dispensed.
OR: Set counter to 100 and switch from OFF to CYCLE.
Plug in SIGNAL cord to force cycle of 100 counts.
- Run several cycles and record GRAM WEIGHT metered each cycle.
The average of these weights is the METERING RATE in grams/100ct.
Example: Each CALIBRATION cycle produces 55 grams output.
Your METERING RATE is 55 grams/100ct.
MPA Liquid Color Pump – Formulas for setting the counter
INJECTION MOLDING (Cycle Mode):
- Determine the WEIGHT of the entire shot IN GRAMS.
- Determine the LBS. of COLOR per 100 LBS. of natural required, (or KILOS of COLOR per 100 KILOS of natural).
- Determine the METERING RATE for each color in grams/100 counts.
- Set the digital counter using the following formula:(Shot wt) x (lbs/100) / (grams/100ct) = Setting
EXTRUSION (Continuous Mode):
- Determine the extruder output in pounds per hour.
- Determine the LBS. of COLOR per 100 LBS. of natural required, (or KILOS of COLOR per 100 KILOS of natural).
- Determine the METERING RATE in grams/100 counts.
- Set the digital counter using the following formula:(lbs/hr) x (lbs/100) / (grams/100ct) x .71 = Setting
Alternate Formula Method
This method does not require calibration, but instead relies on an accurate knowledge of the weight of the liquid (lbs/gal) and accurate tube sizes.
INJECTION MOLDING (Cycle Mode):
- Determine the WEIGHT of the entire shot in GRAMS.
- Determine the PERCENT color let-down desired.
- Determine the weight of the liquid color in POUNDS per GALLON. or GRAMS per LITER (G/L).
- Set the digital counter using the following formula:(Shot Weight) x (% let-down) x (‘C’ factor) / (lbs/gal) = Setting
or (Shot Weight) x (% let-down) x (‘C’ factor) x 120 / (G/L) = Setting
EXTRUSION (Continuous Mode):
- Determine the extruder output in pounds per hour.
- Determine the percent color let-down desired.
- Determine the weight of the liquid color in pounds per gallon or GRAMS per LITER (G/L).
- Set the digital counter using the following formula:(lbs/hr) x (% let-down) x (‘E’ factor) / (lbs/gal) = Setting (Use top Calculator)
or (lbs/hr) x (% let-down) x (‘E’ factor) x 120 / (G/L) = Setting (Use bottom Calculator)
Extrusion Following Controllers
Formulas for Setting the Counter
- Determine the MAXIMUM extruder output in pounds per hour, (at 100% of full rated RPM), (max lbs/hr).
- Determine the POUNDS per 100 of color required (lbs/100).
- Determine the color METERING RATE; GRAMS / MIN @ display of 40; (gr/min@40), see below: Metering Rate.
- Set the digital counter using the following formula:(max lbs/hr) x (lbs/100) x 3 / (gr/min@40) = Setting
Metering Rate – Extrusion Following Models
METERING RATE equals the GRAMS of material metered in ONE MINUTE when the display is “40”.
To determine METERING RATE for a given material:
- Switch the controller to the MANUAL SPEED position.
Set the counter to “040”.
The display should also read 40. If necessary, adjust the counter up or down until the DISPLAY reads 40.
- Carefully collect and weigh the output over 1 minute (60 seconds).
This weight in grams will equal the METERING RATE for this material
(gr/min@40)
Example: Your controller is running and the display shows 40. Over a 60 second period you meter 32 grams of material. Your METERING RATE for this material is 32 (grams/min@40).
Alternate Formula Method
Extrusion Following 3 and 6 Roller Pump
This method does not require calibration, but instead relies on an accurate knowledge of the weight of the liquid (lbs./gal.) and accurate tube sizes.
- Determine the MAXIMUM extruder output in pounds per hour, (at 100% of full rated RPM), (max lbs/hr).
- Determine the POUNDS per 100 of color required (lbs/100).
- Determine the weight of the liquid color in pounds per gallon.
- Set the digital counter using the following formula:(lbs/hr) x (% let-down) x (‘F’ factor) / (lbs/gal) = Setting