17 - Process Monitoring and Process Control: An Overview

Abstract

This chapter provides a general background on how process monitoring and control technologies and strategies are applied to two major plastics processes: injection molding and extrusion. While the term “process control” could apply to anything that provides some aspect of machine control, discussion is limited to devices and methods that are applicable to some of the unique aspects of plastics processing. It is not the intention to discuss the technical details of data acquisition (DAQ). Some historical perspective is provided, along with recent developments and current research, which should provide an indication of the direction of future developments in process monitoring and control in the plastics industry. While new techniques continue to be studied and tested, there is a general acceptance that to survive and flourish in the plastics industry, manufacturers need to understand the process to develop and execute an effective monitoring and control strategy.