Atemperador, termorregulador, TCU, mould temperature controller. If you buy equipment in several countries or read catalogues in other languages, you will have seen all these names. The good news: they almost always refer to the same unit. The bad news: some similar terms mean something else, and mixing them up leads to ordering the wrong equipment. This guide explains what an industrial temperature control unit is, what it is called in each market and how to choose one.
What exactly it is
It is a unit that heats and cools a fluid (water or thermal oil) and circulates it through a mould, a roller, a jacketed reactor or another consumer to keep it at a setpoint temperature. It has three basic parts: a pump, a heater and a cooling system, usually a heat exchanger or direct injection of mains water, all governed by a controller.
The key point is that it works in both directions. It heats the mould at start-up and then removes the heat brought in by the molten plastic, so that the temperature stays stable cycle after cycle.
What it is called in each country
| Market | Usual term | Other terms |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | Atemperador | Termorregulador |
| Mexico and Latin America | Termorregulador | Controlador de temperatura de molde |
| English | TCU (temperature control unit) | Mould temperature controller, mold temperature controller (USA) |
| German | Temperiergerät | Werkzeugtemperiergerät |
| French | Thermorégulateur | Régulateur de température de moule |
| Italian | Termoregolatore | Centralina di termoregolazione |
| Polish | Termostat do form | Termoregulator |
In short: atemperador, termorregulador, TCU and mould temperature controller are the same type of equipment. The choice of name depends on the country and sometimes on each company’s habits.
Terms that are not the same
- Chiller. It only produces cold, usually water below ambient temperature. It does not heat. It can supply the temperature control unit, but it does not replace it. See our industrial chillers.
- Temperature controller (on its own). In electronics it is just the controller, the device that reads the sensor and gives the command. It does not move any fluid. When requesting a quote, specify that you need the complete unit.
- Hot runner controller. It controls the heaters of the hot runner channels in the mould. It is a different, electrical device with no fluid.
- Thermostat. A switch that acts at a given temperature. It is part of many units, but it is not the unit.
Types: water, pressurised water and oil
The type is decided by the operating temperature. These are the ranges in our product line:
| Type | Approximate range | When it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Water with open tank | Up to 90°C | Most general-purpose thermoplastics |
| Pressurized water | Up to 180 °C | Engineering plastics with a hot mould, better heat transfer than oil |
| Thermal oil | Up to 300°C | Die casting, high-temperature polymers, processes above 180 °C |
Water transfers heat better than oil, so if the temperature allows it, it is usually the first choice. You will find the details in water or thermal oil, in pressurised water and in our guide water or oil temperature control unit.
How to choose an industrial temperature control unit
Once the name is clear, the selection depends on five figures:
- Operating temperature, which determines the fluid and the type.
- Heating power, which sets how long the mould takes to reach temperature.
- Cooling capacity, to remove the heat from the process.
- Pump flow rate and pressure, according to the mould channels and the hoses.
- Number of circuits and connectivity with the injection moulding machine or the plant system.
Approximate heating example. A 500 kg steel mould (specific heat ≈ 0.46 kJ/kg·K) that has to go from 20 to 80 °C in 30 minutes needs:
- Energy: 500 × 0.46 × 60 = 13,800 kJ.
- Power: 13,800 / 1800 s ≈ 7.7 kW.
- Allowing for losses through the hoses and the mould surface, it is sensible to start from about 9–10 kW.
This is a starting calculation: real losses depend on insulation, hose size and ambient conditions.
What to include when requesting a quote
The name you use does not matter if the request contains the right data. Include at least:
- Process and material: PA66 injection moulding, aluminium die casting, chemical reactor…
- Setpoint temperature and, if you know it, the maximum operating temperature.
- Mould weight or consumer volume, and the desired heating time.
- Number of circuits and connection diameter.
- Mains voltage and available cooling water, with its temperature and pressure.
- Whether you need communication with the injection moulding machine or the plant system.
With this information, any manufacturer can propose a comparable unit, whether you call it atemperador, termorregulador or TCU.
Typical mistakes
- Asking for a “temperature controller” and receiving only an electronic controller.
- Buying a chiller expecting it to heat the mould as well.
- Choosing oil out of habit when pressurised water covers the temperature.
- Sizing only by power and forgetting the flow the mould needs.
If you already have a unit and something is not working, see our guide to common temperature control unit problems.
Frequently asked questions
Are atemperador and termorregulador the same?
Yes. Atemperador is the usual term in Spain and termorregulador in Mexico and much of Latin America.
What does TCU mean?
Temperature control unit, the English term for the same equipment. In the United States, mold temperature controller is also used.
Is a chiller a temperature control unit?
No. A chiller only cools; a temperature control unit heats and cools to hold a setpoint.
When is oil needed?
When the operating temperature exceeds what pressurised water allows, which in our range is 180 °C.
Looking for a temperature control unit?
Call it what you like: what we need is the temperature, the process and the size of the mould. See our industrial temperature control units, try the equipment selector or talk to a technician.