Thermocouples for Testing Equipment in the Plastics Industry

When standard solutions aren't enough. Custom Type K sheathed thermocouples for testing equipment in the plastics industry.

Thermocouples for Testing Equipment in the Plastics Industry

When standard solutions aren't enough. Custom Type K sheathed thermocouples for testing equipment in the plastics industry.

February 10, 2025|3Minutes|Sheathed Thermocouples
February 10, 2025|3Minutes|Sheathed Thermocouples

Initial Situation

Plastics production requires a wide range of technologically advanced testing machines and equipment. Our client—an internationally active medium-sized company—specializes in precisely this type of testing equipment for plastics and rubber. Type K sheathed thermocouples are a key component of this equipment, used to perform various tests and measurements.

  • Determination of the Melt Index
  • Viscosity Measurements
  • Determination of Thermal Conductivity
  • Elasticity Measurements

The customer's challenge: To perform these tests and measurements as effectively as possible, the customer needs custom-designed sheathed thermocouples rather than standard models. No sooner said than done.

Implementation

Type K sheathed thermocouples are custom-manufactured in Stapelfeld, Germany, to provide exactly the characteristics and variations that the customer needs for their testing equipment. Not off-the-shelf, but from the thermocouple experts.

  • Various probe lengths (from 10 mm to +30 mm)
  • Various connector types (e.g., miniature and standard versions)
  • Additional mechanical components attached to the thermocouple (e.g., medical cannulas, screws, contact plates)

In particular, mounting the machined additional components onto the thermocouple poses a challenge. Customized production ensures that each version precisely meets the specifications required for use in the customer’s testing equipment.

I particularly enjoyed this project—and especially the technical challenge of the installation. I appreciate the variety we were able to offer the customer. As a result, a wide range of sheathed thermocouples are used in the test systems.

Peter Schmüser

Result

For use in testing plastics and rubber, it was particularly important that the Type K sheathed thermocouples could be manufactured flexibly to suit each specific application. Since this cannot be achieved with standard models, the customer opted for a custom design. To date, X variants of the sheathed thermocouples have already been delivered to the customer and integrated into the testing equipment. Additional versions, including the installation of supplementary components, can be produced at any time in the future.

Why? Because our ideal temperature is exactly 360 degrees. For 100% flexibility, quality, and service. Not off-the-shelf—but from ThermoExpert°.