Redesign of Layout Runner in Rubber Injection Molding for Filling of a Multi-cavity Mold

Leslie Sanchez-Castillo,Dorian Nedelcu,Misaela Francisco-Marquez

doi:10.37358/mp.21.3.5510

Abstract

This study presents a Solidworks� Plastics application in a company in the Automotive Industry for the aftermarket of auto parts manufactured by the injection molding process, the focus is on the redesign of an injection vein plate for achieve uniform filling of a 16 cavity mold with a geometry made up of a mixture of natural rubber and two metal components. This work proves that the use of symmetrical commands is not always the best option. The distances between runners were not taken into account as a source of the future wears problems in the mold. A layout is created with a combination of 2D and 3D sketches by turning the injection chanels 180� in the problem cavities to increase the distances between runners and the filling of the 16 cavities is verified by simulation. It is also demonstrated by simulation that increasing the injection point size is not necessarily always the best option for cavity filling.

Highlights

Nowadays the automotive industry needs tools that allow design and do the processes more efficient, reducing cost and waste to offer better prices to different customers
In the market there are several applications for injection molding simulation such as Moldex3D, Sigma Sorfy®, Moldflow, the use of Solidworks is enhanced by its easy environment and the possibility of developing custom materials, since in the automotive industry the used rubber mixtures are usually developed by the company
The injection molding cycle begins when the mold closes and the polymer is injected into the cavity through the runner system and the injection point [3]

Summary

Introduction

Nowadays the automotive industry needs tools that allow design and do the processes more efficient, reducing cost and waste to offer better prices to different customers. Among these tools CAD applications can simulate the process before creating physical parts, which can significantly reduce the cost of raw materials. One of this tools is SolidWorks Plastic that helps in early stages of the injection process design to predict defects and make decisions that best suits the development of a tooling such as an injection mold, since the correct design of a mold represents a reduction in costs, time and waste by making the necessary modifications in 3D environments before bringing them to reality, in addition to avoiding rework [1]. The injection molding cycle begins when the mold closes and the polymer is injected into the cavity through the runner system and the injection point [3]

Methods

Results

Conclusion