Molding Parameters and Geometry
Plastics products are often over-designed and still may perform unsatisfactorily or even fail prematurely because product properties can be insufficiently predicted. An important factor responsible for this limited predictability is the inability to account for the consequences of geometry and of shaping plastics into products. This is a multidisciplinary problem with a complex interdependence of factors. Quantitative information hardly exists. Additional challenges are expected in exploring design opportunities for novel materials such as plastics from renewable resources and nano-structured materials. For life cycle optimization it is desirable to have control over product properties, to minimize material usage, to reduce the trial-and-error element in prototype testing, as well as to optimize product function.
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Focus
Work focuses on the combined influence of different geometries and molding variables on properties and behavior of injection molded products
Objectives
The objective is to develop a method that enables a design team to predict the combined effects of geometry and molding for any geometry and any polymeric material.
Conclusions
From thorough analysis of different mechanical test results and numerical molding simulations the shear rates and temperature gradients in the surface layers during molding emerged as important factors, in particular for resistance to high-speed deformation. A schematic was developed to enable explanation of the effects found.
Plans
The schematic will be developed further to enable quantitative predictions. A valuable contribution is expected from additional numerical simulations.
Contact
