SPE Library
The SPE Library contains thousands of papers, presentations, journal briefs and recorded webinars from the best minds in the Plastics Industry. Spanning almost two decades, this collection of published research and development work in polymer science and plastics technology is a wealth of knowledge and information for anyone involved in plastics.
The SPE Library is just one of the great benefits of being an SPE member! Are you taking advantage of all of your SPE Benefits?
Conference Proceedings
Deconvolution of Residence Time Distribution Signals to Individually Describe Zones for Better Modeling
Paul Elkouss, David Bigio, Mark Wetzel, May 2004
Kinematic modeling has been shown to be important for the understanding and control of co-rotating twin screw extruders. Past techniques of kinetic modeling have dealt with the extruder as either one unit or a series of screw element wise units. In this work, multiple sensors are used to characterize the residence time distribution of an extruder. Additionally, the uncoupled signals from these sensors are deconvoluted to produce signals representative of the individual extruder zones.
A New High Speed Extruder with Melt Separation
Johannes Wortberg, Dirk Kaczmarek, May 2004
The new extruder – project name S-Truder - surrounds the screw with a perforated sleeve to separate melt from unmelted resin. As soon as the melt develops, it flows through conically-shaped holes in the melting sleeve into the intermediate melting zone area and then with a pressure flow toward the screw tip. Therefore, the screw can then run at a higher rotation speed without overheating the polymer, and, in contrast to a “normal” screw, solid bed width is maintained. Experimental results and theoretical background will be described in this paper.
Closed-Loop Process Control Strategies for Thermoplastic Injection Molding Machines
P.A. Brincat, A.S. Bakharev, R.G. Speight, May 2004
This document outlines the advantages of a closed-loop screw cushion control system for thermoplastic injection molding machines in the production environment. It also outlines the limitations of such a system and proposes a possible path forward towards closed-loop process control, through the use of a closed-loop viscosity control system.
Impact and Utility of Volumetric Melt Density Sensors
Frederick John Buja, May 2004
Since variance in melt density during a molding process can infer a change of product quality, careful measurement – and subsequent management – of this factor is essential. Considering that temperature is the primary, though not only, factor in this process, injected melt temperature was measured through two means: a melt sensor installed into a machine nozzle, and a melt sensor installed into a heated insert assembly. The injected melt fill-and-pack density" was profiled for consecutive cycles and the resulting melt-flow profiles and sensing means are presented."
Artificially Balancing Geometrically Balanced Runner Systems
Kevin Boell, John Beaumont, Brian Young, May 2004
Artificially balancing melt delivery systems is a common practice in injection molding to compensate for filling imbalances. This artificial balance is attempted through tweaking runner and gate sizes or varying drop temperatures within melt delivery systems. These approaches at best only provide an extremely delicate pressure balance rather than address the root cause of the problem. This paper presents the results of a study that examined the robustness of artificial balancing and compares it to new advancements that address the problem that causes these imbalances.
The Effect of Mold Surface Topography on Plastic Part In-Process Shrinkage in Injection Molding
Uffe Rolf Arlø Theilade, Erik Kjær, Hans Nørgaard Hansen, May 2004
An experimental study of the effect of mold surface roughness on in-process in-flow linear part shrinkage in injection molding has been carried out. The investigation is based on an experimental two-cavity tool, where the cavities have different surface topographies, but are otherwise identical. The study has been carried out for typical commercial polystyrene and polypropylene grades.
Mechanical Properties and Microstructure Enhancement of Injection Molded Parts via Push-Pull Processing
D.B. Tchalamov, J.C. Viana, A.M. Cunha, May 2004
Push-pull injection molding is a live in-mold manipulation method used for enhancing the orientation of molecules and fillers. It implements an alternating shear field induced by a coordinated action of two injection units to create multiple oriented layers across the thickness of moldings. In this work design of experiment was used to analyze the processing parameters in push-pull molding of polypropylene homopolymer. The microstructure and the flexural and impact properties of the produced parts were assessed.
Injection Molding Process Optimization and Documentation
John W. Bozzelli, May 2004
Though molding for decades, we have yet to develop a scientific method of developing an optimized process. The established process is often poorly documented and cannot be transferred to another machine. This paper outlines a scientific process optimization based on data and defines the necessary variables to establish a reproducible consistent process. The procedure along with the resulting setup sheet, that will work on any appropriate machine (hydraulic or electric) are presented.
Design and Analysis of Model-Based Iterative Learning Control of Injection Molding Process
J.-W. John Cheng, Yu-Wei Lin, Fu-Sheng Liao, May 2004
Despite several researchers have reported excellent performance of iterative learning controls for injection molding process, a serious work remains, namely, stability guarantee of the learning controllers. This work presents the first effort on theoretical analysis of iterative learning injection molding control. Specifically, analysis of a filling velocity learning control is conducted. The analysis adopts Lyapunov’s indirect method. Experiment evaluation is carried out on a commercial injection molding machine.
Automatic Injection Velocity Initialization for Computer-Assisted Injection Molding Setup
David R Astbury, Alexander S. Bakharev, Russel Speight, May 2004
Modern systems for computer-assisted injection molding use data acquired from sensors and feedback from operators to setup the injection-molding process, to automate optimization of process parameters and to provide a statistical process control. A good initial starting point greatly streamlines injection molding setup and increases its robustness. Here we describe an algorithm for initial determination of injection velocity based on rheological calculations of the melt flow inside the mold cavity.
Geometric Variation of Micro-Features in Injection Molding Experiment
Sung K. Lee, Charles L. Thomas, May 2004
Micro features were produced on inserts for a macroscopic polymer injection mold. The inserts were produced using traditional machining and micro machining techniques. The inserts were installed and subsequent moldings were examined to measure the accuracy of replication of the micro features. The molding conditions were varied to identify the processing window available for accurate production of the micro features.
Flow Prediction in the Presence of Inserts for the Injection Over-Molding Process
Shishir Ray, Franco S. Costa, May 2004
Injection over-molding involves injection of molten polymer into complex cavities over solid inserts to form fabricated parts. This process is non-isothermal and the flow is strongly affected by the presence of the insert, and its thermal and mechanical properties. This paper compares the three dimensional flow simulation results of metal and polymer inserts and reviews their effects on filling pattern with experimental data. Furthermore, a two shot over-molding simulation is also presented.
A Genetic Optimization of Shrinkage by Runner Balancing
Kevin Alam, M.R. Kamal, May 2004
A new approach to runner balancing is proposed which identifies and deals with limitations associated with the traditional approach to runner balancing. The runner diameters are varied by a multi-objective genetic algorithm, which simultaneously optimizes the product shrinkage and cost. The results suggest that balanced runner systems, which exhibit large differences in cavity pressure, have lower product costs than systems characterized by similar fill times and cavity pressures. The optimization of the secondary runner lengths also reduced costs significantly.
Theoretical and Experimental Comparison of the Four Major Types of Mesh Currently Used in CAE Injection Molding Simulation Software
Matthew J. Jaworski, Zhongshuang Yuan, May 2004
Currently, CAE injection molding simulation software uses four major types of mesh for analysis. These four mesh types are beam (1D), mid-plane (2.5D), Dual Domain™ (modified 2.5D) and three dimensional (3D). Each mesh type is useful for simulating different types of plastic part geometries but also has its own limitations and assumptions. This paper will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each mesh type through theoretical and experimental data.
Microcellular Injection Molding
Lih-Sheng Turng, May 2004
The paper reviews the processing advantages and challenges of microcellular injection molding and summarizes the recent research results obtained at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The study emphasizes on how the process conditions and micro-/nano-scaled fillers affect the microstructure and mechanical properties of microcellular injection molded components. In addition, initial results of a novel co-injection molding process that combines the aesthetic and processing advantages of injection molding with the property attributes and benefits of microcellular plastics (MCPs) are presented.
Numerical Analysis of Microcellular Injection Molding
Sejin Han, R. Zheng, P. Kennedy, J. Xu, L. Kishbaugh, May 2004
This study presents a simulation model for the microcellular injection molding process in which supercritical fluid such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen is mixed with molten polymer and injected into the mold. Our model simulates the development of cells in the melt during injection molding. The effects of cell growth on material properties and flow have been investigated. Some simulation results such as melt pressure and final cell size distribution are compared with experimental results.
Structure Development and Mechanical Properties of Overmolded Parts
D.B. Tchalamov, A.M. Cunha, May 2004
Overmolding is a non-conventional injection molding method in which two or more polymers are introduced sequentially with a time lag into a special mold. In this study experimental design was employed for investigating retractable insert overmolding of two PP/HDPE combinations. Optical microscopy was used for evaluating structure development. Mechanical properties were examined through flexural and impact tests. The role of the interface of the two materials on the overall mechanical behavior was analyzed.
Effect of Overdrying Hygroscopic Resins and a Technological Solution for its Prevention
Suhas Kulkarni, David Hart, May 2004
Hygroscopic resins are dried before processing. Most polymers are blended with low molecular weight additives as heat stabilizers, processing aids and/or other specialty additives. If the resin is dried for an extended period of time, these additives tend to break down causing deterioration properties. Moisture can play an important role in the melt rheology. Experiments were done to study this effect with the help of thermal analysis and evaluation of physical properties. A technological solution to prevent overdrying is presented.
Thermoformability of ABS Grades
L. Pecora, A. Bardetti, D. Laroche, May 2004
Relationships between the rheological properties of different material grades with their processability are often difficult to make. In this work, a parameterization technique of the rheological properties is proposed to quantify the variations from grade to grade, within the same family. The impact of the identified parameters on the thermoformability of different ABS grades was investigated with the use of finite element simulation of the thermoforming process.
Production of Segmented Mold to Control the Distribution of Materials in the Thermoforming Process
Majid Tabrizi, May 2004
Control of temperature distribution throughout a segmented mold to reduce a part’s residual stress and improve material distribution has been studied. A segmented mold has been produced using a rapid mold making technique with in-cast cooling lines for a non-uniform cooling of the different segments of the mold.Polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride has been used to produce a number of parts for evaluation. The result showed a noticeable improvement in reduction of the internal residual stress with minimal effect on material distribution.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
