The molding process consists of several variables. Each of these variables has an effect not only on the final quality of the part but also on the efficiency of the production run. It is imperative that the molding process parameters be optimized to produce an acceptable part. The final goal in any molding operation must be to have (i) Shot to shot consistency and (ii) Run to run consistency. A process that needs constant tweaking from shift to shift and/or run to run is an unstable and unoptimized process. Mold trial iterations not only cost a lot of money but also take away valuable time. The speaker will discuss ways and means to achieve optimized robust processes. The topics will include:
1) What is Scientific Processing?
2) Drying and ‘Overdrying’ of Plastics
3) Scientific Molding
a) In-Mold Rheology
b) Cavity Balance
c) Pressure Drop in the mold
d) Process Window
e) Gate Seal
f) Cooling time optimization
4) Post Mold Shrinkage Studies
5) Process Documentation
6) Further improvements using proven supplementary technologies