Temperature Control Solutions for Rubber and Tire Production: From Mixing and Extrusion to Calendering and Vulcanization

1. Temperature Control Needs in Rubber and Tire Production

Temperature control is important throughout rubber and tire production, from rubber mixing and extrusion to calendering, tire building, and vulcanization.

In upstream processes such as internal mixing, the main task is to remove heat generated during equipment operation. In extrusion and calendering, temperature control focuses more on maintaining the required temperatures in different zones and rolls. High-temperature processes and applications requiring both heating and cooling may need high-temperature control units or integrated heating and cooling systems.

Therefore, temperature control equipment needs to be designed around the specific production equipment and process requirements rather than relying on a standard model for every application.

AQWK provides cooling, heating, and multi-circuit temperature control equipment for rubber processing, with applications covering internal mixing, extrusion, calendering, and other production processes.

1.1. Rubber Mixing: Stable Cooling for Upstream Production

During rubber mixing, internal mixers combine rubber with various additives. The mixing process generates a large amount of heat. For large rubber factories with continuous production, the cooling system must provide sufficient cooling capacity and support long hours of operation.

Modular Chillers and Rubber Mixing Equipment

AQWK provides industrial cooling systems for internal mixers and other mixing equipment. Modular chillers are suitable for applications with high cooling demands. Available configurations include approximately 25 HP, 50 HP, and 100 HP units. Multiple units can be connected in parallel according to the required cooling capacity, circulation flow rate, and site conditions.

For internal mixers requiring independent temperature control in three areas—the feeding area, rotors, and mixing chamber—AQWK provides a dedicated three-circuit temperature control system. The three independent circuits control these areas separately, helping maintain efficient and accurate temperature control for demanding rubber mixing processes.

Three-Circuit Temperature Control System for an Internal Mixer

1.2. Rubber Extrusion: Independent Temperature Control for Multiple Zones

Extrusion is an important process in rubber component manufacturing. During continuous extrusion, several areas of the equipment may require temperature control, and each area may have different temperature requirements.

A single temperature control circuit may not meet the needs of the entire machine. Multi-circuit temperature control allows different areas to be controlled independently according to the production process.

AQWK designs multi-circuit temperature control systems based on the structure of the extrusion equipment and the actual process requirements. The systems can be configured with different numbers of independent circuits for rubber extruders, cold-feed extruders, and other rubber processing equipment with multiple temperature-controlled zones.

AQWK has supplied 4-, 5-, 6-, 8-, and 10-circuit temperature control systems for rubber extrusion applications. Each circuit controls a specific area of the equipment, helping reduce temperature interactions between zones and maintain more stable production conditions.

Multi-Circuit Temperature Control Equipment for Rubber Extrusion

1.2.1. Case Study: Rubber Seal Strip Extrusion

For continuous rubber seal strip extrusion lines, AQWK provides multi-circuit temperature control systems to independently control different areas of the extrusion equipment.

Independent circuit control allows the system to meet the temperature requirements of different processing zones, supporting stable operation in continuous rubber extrusion production.

Rubber Seal Strip Extrusion Case

1.2.2. Case Study: Pin-Type Cold-Feed Extruder

AQWK also provides multi-circuit temperature control systems for rubber processing equipment such as pin-type cold-feed extruders. The systems regulate the temperature of different equipment zones through circulating heat-transfer fluid.

In one application, the equipment uses four independent temperature control circuits with a temperature control accuracy of ±0.1°C, providing temperature control for rubber extrusion production.

Pin-Type Cold-Feed Extruder Temperature Control Case

1.3. Calendering: Stable Temperature Control for Calender Rolls

Rolls are key components in rubber calendering. Their temperature requirements vary depending on the rubber compound and processing conditions.

For multi-roll calenders, maintaining stable temperatures across different rolls is important. Large temperature variations can make process adjustment more difficult. Stable circulation heating and cooling help maintain the required roll temperatures during production.

AQWK provides roll temperature control equipment for rubber calenders. System design takes into account the number of rolls, required temperature range, circulation flow rate, and equipment connections.

For multi-roll applications, multi-circuit temperature control systems manage different temperature zones independently, allowing each roll to operate according to its process requirements.

Calender Roll Temperature Control Case

1.4. Vulcanization: Stable Heating and Cooling Control

Vulcanization is a key process in tire production. Tires must be processed under specified temperature and time conditions, making stable heat-transfer fluid circulation and temperature control important for the associated equipment.

Different tire sizes, vulcanization machines, and process conditions require different temperature ranges, heating capacities, and circulation flow rates. For applications requiring higher heating temperatures, high-temperature oil temperature control units provide a wider operating temperature range. For equipment requiring both heating and cooling, integrated heating and cooling temperature control units can combine both functions in one system.

AQWK's high-temperature oil temperature control units cover different temperature levels, with selected configurations reaching approximately 200°C, 280°C, and 350°C, depending on the model and application requirements.

For vulcanization applications, the process pressure inside the vulcanizing press and the circulation pressure of the temperature control system are separate parameters. Equipment selection must be based on the actual circulation system and process conditions.

Temperature Control Equipment for High-Temperature Applications

1.5. Laboratory and Testing Applications: Precise Temperature Control

Rubber and tire manufacturers also use laboratory equipment, material testing systems, and product testing equipment.

Compared with large production machines, these applications often place greater emphasis on temperature stability, control accuracy, circulation flow rate, and equipment size. Some testing systems also require stable circulation pressure and flow.

AQWK provides compact temperature control equipment, high-precision temperature control units, and constant-temperature and constant-pressure systems for these applications. System configurations are selected according to the temperature, flow rate, pressure, and control requirements of the testing equipment.

For testing applications requiring both temperature and circulation pressure control, AQWK's constant-temperature and constant-pressure systems combine temperature control, variable-frequency drive, and pressure regulation to provide stable circulating fluid. Depending on the configuration, the product range includes water-cooled units, oil temperature control units, and integrated heating and cooling units. PLC control and RS485 communication are also supported.

Laboratory Temperature Control Unit and Touchscreen Control Panel

2. Temperature Control Systems for Rubber Processing Equipment

For rubber and tire manufacturers, temperature control systems are an integral part of the production process.

Internal mixers require sufficient cooling capacity for continuous operation. Extruders need temperature control across multiple zones. Calenders require stable roll temperatures, while high-temperature processes place greater demands on heating capacity and circulation systems.

With over 20 years of experience in industrial temperature control, AQWK provides cooling, heating, and multi-circuit temperature control equipment for rubber processing machinery. Each solution is designed around the actual process requirements of the equipment.

From individual machines to multi-circuit systems, AQWK provides both standard equipment and customized solutions. Temperature range, circulation flow rate, equipment load, and site connections are considered in the system design.

AQWK provides the following temperature control equipment for different rubber and tire production processes:

3. Conclusion

Rubber and tire production involves a variety of processing machines, each with different temperature control requirements. Stable cooling, heating, and fluid circulation are important for reliable equipment operation and consistent processing conditions.

AQWK provides industrial chillers, multi-circuit temperature control equipment, high-temperature oil temperature control units, integrated heating and cooling systems, and customized temperature control solutions for the rubber and tire industry. AQWK's equipment has been applied in rubber processing operations including mixing, extrusion, and calendering.

Based on the specific equipment and process requirements, AQWK can configure temperature control systems according to temperature range, flow rate, pressure, heat-transfer medium, and control requirements.

From individual machines to customized multi-circuit systems, AQWK provides practical temperature control solutions for rubber processing manufacturers.