Switzerland is often described as Europe’s water tower. The country not only boasts dramatic mountain landscapes; it also is notable for the remarkable quality of its drinking water. The Swiss Alps serve as a source of some of the purest drinking water in the world. Around 80 billion cubic metres of water flow out of the mountains every year. Around 75 per cent of this flow is directed to the public water supply.
The natural filtration system comprising layers of rock gives the water a remarkable purity. For example, Lake Lucerne is fed by numerous alpine lakes and mountain streams. Public fountains are ubiquitous in the country and they symbolise the importance of water as a valued resource. The generous supply of spring water means that public fountains can be found virtually everywhere, from mountain villages to large cities. Fresh spring water can be enjoyed even in the most remote alpine huts.
Caring for water is a tradition.
The exceptional water quality in Switzerland is not only thanks to the natural environment; it also reflects society’s commitment to preserving its environmental riches. Protecting the purity of the water in Switzerland is engrained in the population. The stewardship of this vital resource is part of their heritage.
Water quality is protected by a mix of traditional values, strict laws and sustainable practices. Lake Geneva is one of the largest lakes in Europe and is a model of sustainable water use and conservation. Visitors and locals alike enjoy the benefits of this tradition, which is as impressive as the landscape itself.
Water cooling for PET production.
With this background, it’s not surprising that the engineers at Otto Hofstetter AG are very alert to the use of water in their moulds. It must be kept in mind that water is only one part of the mould-cooling step of production, but it is crucial for the efficiency of the system and the quality of the preforms. The experience of almost 70 years of making injection moulds, and almost 50 years specifically in PET preform mould-making, has taught Otto Hofstetter AG’s specialists that although each individual component in the system is important, the interdependencies between them must always be taken into account.
Optimal water use is multi-layered.
Basically, the challenge of mould-cooling is how to dissipate the heat generated in PET production in the most energy-efficient way. The technical design possibilities in cooling water handling are varied. However, aiming for a theoretical maximum solution makes little sense, as this would have a significant negative impact on manufacturing costs and delivery times. Thanks to their many years of experience, the engineers in Uznach know how to carefully weigh all relevant factors in order to achieve the optimum result.
Innovations reinforce the effect.
Over the past few years, Otto Hofstetter AG has succeeded in continuously reducing the water consumption of its high-tech moulds, which means that the amount of water required has been reduced by more than 50 per cent, depending on the number of cavities in the mould. In addition, new technologies such as OH-Xcool® have been developed, which have increased the cooling capacity in the threaded insert of a PET mould while reducing the cycle time by up to 15 per cent, depending on the preform type. This new option is available to all operators of newer generation moulds from Otto Hofstetter AG.
Take care when moving moulds.
Customers all over the world give the moulds from Uznach high praise in terms of their longevity. This of course is largely due to the high-quality steel that is used and the exclusive coatings that are applied in Otto Hofstetter AG moulds.
Beyond all the built-in features to maintain the value of the moulds, the operator contributes to their resilience. By continuously checking the quality of the cooling water, costly damage caused by sludge and blockage of the cooling channels in the mould can be prevented. Care should also be taken when moving moulds from one location to another. Water residue in the mould can introduce bacteria and cause previously hidden problems at the new location.
When it comes to the cost-effectiveness of a system and the quality of the PET preform, expert support is provided by Otto Hofstetter AG to achieve the best result. So, quality goes beyond careful water management, even if the people from Uznach have a special affinity for what flows from the Swiss Alps.
