How many of us in the plastic injection molding world don't take the time to consider the basics of thermal dynamics? For this post we are focused on the energy source, and how the energy migrates from the source into the mass being heated. Just the basics of the heating sources used in a hot runner manifold, and Hot runner nozzle assembly for this post. Injection molding is a series of thermal dynamic events. Hot Runner Manifold systems are used to move molten plastic from one point (the injection molding machine) into specific points (within the cavity area called injection points). But first we must control the overall system temperature, so we have uniform temp of the molten resin. We use terms like: Watt to mass ratio, wattage distribution, direct energy transfer, indirect energy transfer, diffused energy (brass sleeve), reflection tube, heat sink, heat shedding, conduction, radiation, convection and steady thermal state. Here is the description of the image below: A) Contact point of heating element, and mass being heated (direct or in-direct energy transfer). Note: All energy moves from hot (heat source) to cold (mass being heated to desired temperature). No exception. B) Indirect heating: Brass sleeve used to distribute wattage (energy). You will notice when in a sleeve, we increase the contact point (A). *Depending on the heater shape, you can increase, or decrease the contact surface, or points. C) A planned gap between the heating element (indirect, with brass sleeve) and the mass being heated. Normally a fit something like H7/g6 (sliding fit) and this is one example. Note: As the heater sleeve heats quickly, thermal expansion increases the gap. At lest until the mass temperature catches up to the sleeve temperature. D) Reflection tube: The reflection tube redirects ("reflects" radiating energy from the heating element back into the heater sleeve or the mass being heated (via direct or indirect energy transfer). At the same time, the reflection tube reduces the amount of energy allowed to radiate off the heated mass into the surrounding mass (normally a plastic injection mold). E). Filler, heat transfer paste (magnesium) or can be vacuum brazing as another example. This increases the contact surface area of the heating element to the mass being heated. In teh case of vacuum brazing it also can be a method of securing the heating element into the mass to improve efficient energy transfer, prevent damage to the heating element, and mechanically secure the heater into the mass being heated. Want to know more? Give us a call at: 909-941-0600 (Office) or email us at Sales@albaent.com. Alba Enterprises LLC , Lisa Oles, Michael Dalrymple, Bill Hartwick
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The Injection Molding Process of Polycarbonate (PC) https://lnkd.in/gVXiAUzv PC, commonly known as polycarbonate, is colloquially referred to as bulletproof rubber due to its excellent mechanical properties. PC granules features high mechanical strength, a wide range of operating temperatures, good electrical insulation properties (although its arc resistance remains unchanged), good dimensional stability, and transparency. It is widely used in electrical products, instrument shells, and structural components of electronic products. There are many modified products of PC, usually with added glass fiber, mineral fillers, chemical flame retardants, and other plastics. PC has poor flowability and requires high processing temperatures, so the processing of many grades of modified materials requires specialized plastic injection molding structures.
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1. Sink Marks Definition: shrinkage dents on the surface of plastic parts, as shown in Figure 1. Natural causes: During cooling process of plastic, plastic shrinks due to thermal effects. If these shrinkages are not compensated in time, shrinkage marks (commonly known as dents) will appear at certain locations of plastic parts. Due to insufficient cooling, stress generated when surface of injection molded part is cooled while it is still unstable pulls inwards. There are three reasons for this defect: 1. Solidification speed is too slow; #injectionmolding #moldingdefects #injectionmoldingdefects
A complete guide to injection molding defects and solutions!
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Due to high light transmittance of transparent plastics, it is inevitable that surface quality of plastic products must be strict, and there must not be any spots, pores, whitening. Halo, black spots, discoloration, poor gloss and other defects, so the entire injection molding process requires raw materials, equipment. Molds, and even product design, must pay great attention and put forward strict or even special requirements. Secondly, since transparent plastics are mostly high melting points and poor fluidity, in order to ensure surface quality of product, it is often necessary to make subtle adjustments to process parameters such as machine height temperature, injection pressure, and injection speed, so that injection plastic can fill mold without generating internal stress and causing product deformation and cracking. #injectionmolding #productdesign #injectionpressure
Technical points for injection molding of transparent products.
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Due to high light transmittance of transparent plastics, surface quality of plastic products must be strict, and there must be no defects such as markings, pores, whitening, halo, black spots, discoloration, poor gloss, etc. Therefore, raw materials and equipment are required throughout the entire injection molding process.
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Troubleshooting Poor Part Detail in Thermoforming Plastic Temperature Too Low The most common problem when a product has poor detail is that the plastic temperature is too low. Fortunately, it is also the easiest to fix. To thermoform plastic, sheets are heated until they become flexible, then they are fitted around a mold. If the plastic is too cold or not consistently at the correct temperature, when the vacuum is turned on, the sheet will not have the flexibility needed to pull tightly against the shape and achieve the required detail. Correcting Low Plastic Temperatures The problem of raising the plastic temperature and ensuring consistent temperatures can be solved by preventing any drafts in the heating process and adding clamp rail heaters. Inconsistent Vacuuming In vacuum forming, plastic is heated and placed on a metal mold or tool that has vent holes. When the vacuum is turned on, the vents suck air out from between the tool and the plastic, pulling it tightly against the mold. If the end result doesn't have the desired detail, the problem may be that there isn't enough vacuum suction power to get the plastic into the angles and curves needed to achieve the correct shape. Fixing Insufficient or Inconsistent Vacuum To fix this problem, you must improve the way the plastic comes into contact with the mold and ensure proper negative air flow. This can be done by: Checking for vacuum leaks Cleaning existing vacuum vents Adding additional vents or vacuum holes Using a ring assist or MOT to create a proper seal around the perimeter of the component
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In an injection molding machine, the manifold plate, also known as the hot runner plate or hot manifold, plays a vital role in the hot runner system used for efficient plastic distribution and part production. Here's why it's important: 1. DISTRIBUTES MOLTEN PLASTIC EVENLY:The manifold plate acts as a CENTRAL HUB within the hot runner system. It contains channels that receive molten plastic directly from the injection machine nozzle. These channels are carefully designed to ensure EVEN DISTRIBUTION OF THE PLASTIC TO ALL INDIVIDUAL hot runner nozzles connected to the plate. - This even distribution is crucial for achieving: - Consistent part quality:** Each part receives the same amount of material, resulting in consistent dimensions and properties. Reduced scrap:Minimizes the risk of uneven filling, leading to incomplete or deformed parts. Improved cycle times:Faster filling of mold cavities can potentially shorten cycle times and increase production efficiency. 2. MAINTAINS MOLTEN PLASTIC TEMPERATURE:The manifold plate is HEATED to maintain the molten plastic in a FLUID STATE throughout the distribution process. This prevents premature solidification and ensures smooth flow to the nozzles. - Precise temperature control within the manifold plate is crucial for: Maintaining material properties:Ensures the plastic retains its desired flow characteristics and doesn't degrade due to overheating. - Preventing gate freeze-off:Proper temperature prevents premature solidification at the nozzle tip, which can block plastic flow and disrupt production. Optimizing cycle times:Balancing flowability and cooling time for efficient production. 3.CONNECTS TO HOT RUNNER NOZZLES:The manifold plate serves as the CONNECTION POINT for individual hot runner nozzles. These nozzles deliver the molten plastic directly into the mold cavities. - The number and arrangement of nozzles on the plate depend on the specific mold design and part requirements. - This connection point ensures: Sealing and leak prevention: Minimizes molten plastic leakage within the system, ensuring efficient material utilization. - Control over individual gates:Allows for potential individual flow control or shut-off of specific nozzles, depending on the hot runner system type. 4. ROBUSTNESS AND DURABILITY:The manifold plate is typically made from high-strength, heat-resistant materials like steel or specialized alloys. This ensures it can withstand the high temperatures and pressures involved in the injection molding process. - Its durability is crucial for:Maintaining consistent performance:Minimizing downtime due to component failures. - Safe operation:Ensuring the integrity of the system and preventing potential plastic leaks or accidents.
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What should I do if the exhaust in the injection mold is not smooth? Gas is often produced in injection molds. What causes it? (1) Air existing in the pouring system and mold cavity. (2) Some raw materials contain moisture that has not been removed by drying, which will vaporize into water vapor at high temperatures. (3) Due to the high temperature during injection molding, some unstable plastics will decompose and produce gas. (4) Gases generated by volatilization of certain additives in plastic raw materials or chemical reactions with each other. 2. At the same time, the cause of poor exhaust also needs to be found out as soon as possible. Poor exhaust of the injection mold will bring a series of hazards to the quality of plastic parts and many other aspects. The main performances are as follows: (1) During the injection molding process, the melt will replace the gas in the cavity. If the gas is not discharged in time, it will be difficult to fill the melt, resulting in insufficient injection volume and failure to fill the cavity. (2) Gas that is not properly discharged will form high pressure in the mold cavity, and penetrate into the interior of the plastic under a certain degree of compression, causing quality defects such as cavities, pores, sparse texture, and silver streaks. (3) Because the gas is highly compressed, the temperature in the mold cavity rises sharply, which in turn causes the surrounding melt to decompose and burn, causing local carbonization and scorching of the plastic parts. It mainly appears at the confluence of two melts and at the gate flange. (4) The gas removal is not smooth, resulting in different melt speeds entering each cavity, so flow marks and fusion marks are easily formed, and the mechanical properties of the plastic parts are reduced. (5) Due to the obstruction of gas in the cavity, the mold filling speed will be reduced, the molding cycle will be affected, and the taxing efficiency will be reduced. 3. Distribution of bubbles in plastic parts (1) Bubbles generated by air accumulated in the mold cavity are often distributed in the parts opposite to the gate. (2) The bubbles produced by decomposition or chemical reaction in the plastic raw materials are distributed along the thickness of the plastic part. (3) The bubbles generated by the vaporization of residual water in the plastic raw materials are irregularly distributed throughout the entire plastic part. #injectionmoulding #InsertMoulding #Spritzguß #Spritzgießwerkzeuge #Spritzgießen #injectionplastique #moule #PlasticsManufacturing #Fabricationdemoules #Injetora #Plásticos #Moulageparinjection #2kmold #2Kmolding2Kinjection
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The screw is a **critical component** in an injection molding machine, playing a crucial role in the entire plastic processing and shaping process. Here's a breakdown of its importance: 1. Material Conveying: - The screw acts as a conveyor, continuously feeding solid plastic pellets from the hopper into the heated barrel. - The rotation of the screw and its specific design help push the plastic pellets forward towards the injection nozzle. 2. Melting and Plasticization: - As the plastic pellets move along the screw's channels, they are exposed to heat from the surrounding barrel walls. - The combination of friction generated by the screw's rotation and heat from the barrel **melts the plastic pellets** and transforms them into a **molten, viscous liquid** called plasticized material. 3. Pressure Building and Injection: - The screw design also helps build pressure within the barrel as the melted plastic accumulates in the front section. - This pressure is essential for forcing the molten plastic through the sprue and runners into the mold cavity during the **injection phase** of the molding cycle. 4. Homogenization and Mixing: - The screw's design often incorporates mixing zones with specific geometries. - These zones help homogenize the molten plastic, ensuring even distribution of additives, colorants, and any other materials blended with the base resin. This promotes consistent material properties in the final molded product. 5. Backpressure Control: - The screw's backpressure is the pressure exerted by the accumulated molten plastic against the screw's tip. - This pressure plays a crucial role in controlling the quality of the molten plastic. - Proper backpressure helps: - Prevent air bubblesfrom being trapped in the melt. - Ensure proper mixing and homogenization. - Maintain consistent melt temperature** throughout the process. In essence, the screw is the heart of the plasticization process in injection molding. Its design and operation significantly impact the quality, consistency, and efficiency of the entire molding operation.
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Temperature control of plastics in injection molding usually uses rotation of screw and heating plate on material tube to heat low-temperature solid plastic particles into high-temperature liquid melt. Melt temperature will affect quality of product. If it is too high, there will be problems such as material cracking and yellowing; if it is too low, it will reduce fluidity of material and increase flow resistance. Temperature of melt cannot be directly controlled by injection molding machine, but is indirectly affected by plasticization process. There are three main conditions in plasticization process that affect melt temperature, including temperature of heating plate, screw speed and back pressure. Following will explain how plasticization process affects material temperature.
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Plastics and Molding Process 2.2 Processing properties of plastics I. Processing performance of thermoplastics 1. Shrinkage After plastic part is taken out of mold and cooled to room temperature, dimensions of each part of plastic part are smaller than original dimensions in mold. This property is called shrinkage. Forms of molding shrinkage (1) Linear dimensional shrinkage of plastic parts (2) Direction of shrinkage (3) Post-shrinkage
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Business Director at Filter Specialties Co. & Enersavecontrols Inc.
6moThis is fantastic information. It doesn’t matter how seasoned you are in an industry, it’s always great to re-focus on the fundamentals!