MOULDED FOR EFFICIENT COOLING: AUTOMATED FLUID MANAGEMENT
With the automated fluid management system FLUIDLYNX COOLANT, Dutch mould-maker Promatrix has been saving valuable time and resources. Now, the machines run 24/7 – and real-time monitoring data lead the way towards a more sustainable and digital future.
When Promatrix, the Netherlands’ most innovative mould manufacturer, relocated to their new premises in picturesque Bodegraven (NL) in 2023, they saw an opportunity to trial the automated fluid management solution, FLUIDLYNX COOLANT. They started with six machine tools at first – and quickly expanded to twelve. “Before fully committing to an innovative new system like FLUIDLYNX, we wanted to see if it delivered on its promises,” says Bram de Koning, Founder and Managing Director of Promatrix. And it did: “It worked perfectly from day one – exactly as they said it would.” By ‘they‘, he means the MOTOREX team as well as Tom Pelk from Oude Reimer, MOTOREX supplier and long-standing partner in the Netherlands. “Tom and I have known each other for 30 years now,” says Bram de Koning. “So, when he told me about automatic fluid management, I knew it was worth exploring.”
ROUND-THE-CLOCK COOLING SINCE 2023
“In my many years in the metalworking industry, maintaining fluids has always been a major headache,” says Bram de Koning. Traditional systems require frequent manual coolant changes as well as manual monitoring of parameters like concentration or pH value – and then dosing plus refilling the emulsion accordingly. All of this consumes valuable staff hours and results in costly downtime. And now? “With FLUIDLYNX, we basically do nothing,” he raves. “We don‘t even think about the metalworking fluids anymore – they are just there, like electricity.” Downtime? A thing of the past: FLUIDLYNX has been running non-stop from the start, still using the same coolant from 2023.
REAL-TIME MONITORING VIA ONLINE DASHBOARD
For Bram de Koning, the appeal of FLUIDLYNX lies in its simplicity: “It’s a clever system because it’s very straightforward,” he explains. The smart system reduces the coolant footprint in the most literal sense: it saves significant space.” In the old Promatrix facility, having the machines run around the clock required a separate 1000-litre coolant tank for each machine,” says Bram de Koning. FLUIDLYNX, however, eliminates the need for bulky tanks. It supplies the machines continuously with fresh emulsion – 24/7, even on weekends.
Speaking of space: Thanks to smart data management, the monitoring via the online dashboard is completely location-independent. The system detects fill levels as well as concentration, temperature, pH value and electrical conductivity of the metalworking fluid in real time. These can be controlled with an easy-to-use dashboard – from anywhere, anytime. “This means that we can address potential issues before they even arise,” notes Tom Pelk from Oude Reimer. Together with the local MOTOREX specialists, he makes sure the system runs smoothly – ideally before the client experiences any problems. “So far, we haven’t needed to intervene at all with Promatrix’s setup,” he adds.
AN IMPORTANT BUILDING BLOCK FOR A SUSTAINABLE DIGITAL FUTURE
By combining automation with real-time data access, FLUIDLYNX is helping to pave the way for a more sustainable and digital future. “We chose FLUIDLYNX because it offers 24/7 reliability,” says Bram de Koning. “Having all this data literally at our fingertips now opens new opportunities.” Knowing the exact condition of the emulsion at any given moment in time minimises waste and lowers overall consumption. To become even more sustainable, Promatrix is currently developing a chip press for each machine. The aim is to use even less emulsion by pumping it back immediately. “FLUIDLYNX is the perfect solution here as well,” he explains, “because it treats the emulsion, ensuring it remains in optimal condition before recycling it back into the system.” His advice for companies facing similar fluid management challenges? Simple: “Buy it. It’s real.”
“WE RUN 24/7. FINALLY, OUR FLUID MANAGEMENT CAN KEEP UP WITH THAT.”
Bram de Koning, Founder and Managing Director of Promatrix
160 staff-hours per year saved
Running 24/7 with zero downtime
24+ months without coolant changes
PROMATRIX: THE NETHERLANDS’ MOULD-MAKING PIONEER
Promatrix was founded in 1995 in Zegveld, Utrecht, as one of the first companies to develop aluminium moulds for plastic injection moulding. From small aluminium moulds to large-scale automotive components and prototypes: With decades of experience, Promatrix combines deep process and product knowledge to deliver efficient, safe, and rapid manufacturing solutions.