Elliptical cross sectional shape of runner system in injection mold design

Abstract

This paper presents a new cross sectional shape of the runner system in the mold design of the injection molding process. The aim of the new geometry is to reduce scrap, cycle time and ease the ejection of runner system from mold tools. An elliptical cross sectional shape of runner with different ratios was proposed for two circular flat plates with thickness 1 mm. Finite element method (FEM) is employed in SolidWorks Plastic for simulation of the injected part. Short shot defect in the plastic part during the injection molding process is analyzed by SolidWorks Plastic to validate the new proposed geometry. An experimental study of the injection molding process of polypropylene circular flat plates is conducted for the new geometry. The input machine parameters selected are filling time, melt temperature, mold temperature, pressure holding time, and pure cooling time. The research outcomes show no short shot defect associated with the new geometry and also significant 25 and 2.5 % reduction in scrap and cooling time respectively compared to round cross sections. Reduction in contact surface of the runner system with mold walls improved the ease of ejection of runner system out of the cavity as well. The contribution of this study is to design a new geometry of a cold runner system to reduce scrap, cycle time and also provide easy ejection of runner system in the injection molding.