Simulation of polymer melt during injection molding: Influence of undercooling rates

• Main Author: Mohamad Basri, Mohamad Abid
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Teknologi Petronas 2011
• Subjects: TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
• Online Access: http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/8582/1/2011%20-%20Simulation%20of%20polymer%20melt%20during%20injection%20molding-%20Influence%20of%20undercooling%20rate.pdf; http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/8582/

The influence of undercooling rates on the behaviour of polymer melts during injection molding process was studied using simulation from computer. The study involves the usage of injection molding simulation software, SimpoeWorks. The polymer product under investigation is insulated piercing connector (!PC). !PC is used for branches of service entry cable of low voltage electricity distribution line. Material used in producing this product is Polyamide (Nylon) 6 with 30% glass fibre reinforcement (Akulon® K224-G6). There are two plug-in modules that was used in SimpoeWorks; FILL module for filling phase simulation and COOL module for cooling phase simulation. For filling simulation, polymer melt movement inside the mold cavity was observed. In cooling simulation, the effect of different cooling times with the product dimension was studied. Calculation of the percentage of shrinkage was also done between product drawing and actual injection molding product. The purpose of polymer flow simulation is to predict the behaviour of polymer melt inside mold cavity and avoid defects on the molded product prior to actual injection molding process. Polymer flow simulation can saves time and effort for development of new polymer product. It can also reduce the manufacturing cost of a polymer product by replacing trial and error method. iv