Injection Molding
Introduction:
Injection molding is the process of producing parts using meltable plastics material through the use of an injection-molding machine. Figure 1 displays a schematic illustration of the process of injection molding.
Figure 1: Schematic illustration of an injection-molding machine, part and mold.
Injection molding can be costly and difficult process so the engineer must consider part performance requirements, process and material constraints. An engineer that can balance these constraints can help companies produce product that is cost effective and quick to market. Making informed decisions early in the design process can be realized through cost savings. An engineer has many tools and processes to aid themselves in developing a proper design. Qualitative knowledge and rules of thumb are employed at the initial stages of design. After a CAD model has been produced an engineer can apply
CAE type software to explore mechanical performance and reveal processing issues with the design.
Unfortunately CAE simulations require vast knowledge of finite element analysis, process and material information. Only specialized engineers can produce and interpret this information since the models are complex. Because of this these analysis are usually considered well into the design process to help the engineer only make critical changes the simulations suggest.
I will be researching the process of applying rules of thumb and using simulations to aid an engineer’s task. More particularly providing engineers with knowledge and process models that can aid in affectively and rapidly guiding part design development. An engineer has much to gain from performing analytical and experimental analysis and reviewing the part design.
Previous research papers covered, “CAD/CAE Prototyping And
Its Impact On Product Development” and “Rapid Tooling.” These papers were intended to be building blocks in developing skills and
knowledge in specifically plastic part design. After
Injection molding is the process of producing parts using meltable plastics material through the use of an injection-molding machine. Figure 1 displays a schematic illustration of the process of injection molding.
Figure 1: Schematic illustration of an injection-molding machine, part and mold.
Injection molding can be costly and difficult process so the engineer must consider part performance requirements, process and material constraints. An engineer that can balance these constraints can help companies produce product that is cost effective and quick to market. Making informed decisions early in the design process can be realized through cost savings. An engineer has many tools and processes to aid themselves in developing a proper design. Qualitative knowledge and rules of thumb are employed at the initial stages of design. After a CAD model has been produced an engineer can apply
CAE type software to explore mechanical performance and reveal processing issues with the design.
Unfortunately CAE simulations require vast knowledge of finite element analysis, process and material information. Only specialized engineers can produce and interpret this information since the models are complex. Because of this these analysis are usually considered well into the design process to help the engineer only make critical changes the simulations suggest.
I will be researching the process of applying rules of thumb and using simulations to aid an engineer’s task. More particularly providing engineers with knowledge and process models that can aid in affectively and rapidly guiding part design development. An engineer has much to gain from performing analytical and experimental analysis and reviewing the part design.
Previous research papers covered, “CAD/CAE Prototyping And
Its Impact On Product Development” and “Rapid Tooling.” These papers were intended to be building blocks in developing skills and
knowledge in specifically plastic part design. After
References: Dec., 1989 2 Publishers, New York, NY (1994) 3 Material Selection” SPE ANTEC Proceedings (1994), pp. 30923096 4 Nostrand Reinhold, New York (1986) 5 Thermoplastic Compenents, McGraw Hill, New York, NY (1994) 6 Needed Answers?,” SPE ANTEC Proceedings, Volume 37 (1991), pg