A temperature control unit or “TCU” is exactly what the name implies: a device that is used to regulate the temperature of an injection molding, blow molding, extrusion or other plastics process within a narrow range in order to ensure the quality and efficiency of that process.
Unlike a chiller that mechanically removes the heat, a TCU can raise the temperature with internal heaters and cool by directly exchanging with lower temperature water or through a heat exchanger. In high temperature applications (above 300°F), some may consider a thermal transfer fluid
Go into any plastics processing plant and you’ll see them: little metal boxes, usually on casters, plumbed to an injection molding, extrusion tooling or an extrusion cooling tank. Many of them are labeled Thermolator®.
