Optimization design of cooling system for injection molding mold of non-pneumatic tire

Abstract

Non-pneumatic tire has the advantage of puncture resistance and low-energy consumption, which is the development target of new type tire. Injection molding is a vital molding method of non-pneumatic tires, in which the cooling system of mold plays a central role. Whether its design is reasonable will directly affect the processing quality and service lifetime of the tire. Therefore, in this paper, a new idea of conformal cooling layout for non-pneumatic tires forming molds was proposed, and a three-dimensional model for optimizing the molding mold cooling system of the non-pneumatic tire was established. Based on the actual process simulation calculation and Taguchi method experiment design, the influence law of the cooling system on the molding process and quality was obtained, and a semi-annular conformal cooling channel scheme with the best cooling effect and its optimal parameters combination were found. Compared with the traditional direct cooling channel, the semi-annular conformal cooling channel layout reduced the cooling loop pressure loss by 77%, shortened the cycle time and cooling time by 9.6%, reduced the tire volume shrinkage rate by 0.012%. It can shorten the production cycle, raise production efficiency, reduce energy loss, and make the cooling effect more uniform, thus improve tire quality. This would provide a theoretical basis and reference for the optimization design and manufacturing of mold cooling systems similar to non-pneumatic tires.