Simulation of a mold‐cooling process for gas‐assisted injection molded parts designed with a top rib on the gas channel

Abstract

AbstractThe same CAE model used for the filling and packing stage in the gas‐assisted injection molding (GAIM) process simulation was also applied to simulate the cooling phase. This was made possible by using the line source method for modeling cooling channels. The cycle‐averaged and cyclic transient mold cavity surface temperature distribution within a steady cycle was calculated using the three‐dimensional modified boundary element technique similar to that used in conventional injection molding. The analysis results for GAIM plates of a semicircular gas channel design attached with a top rib are illustrated and discussed. It was found that the difference in cycle‐averaged mold wall temperatures may be as high as 10°C, and within a steady cycle, part temperatures may also vary by about 15°C. The conversion of the gas channel into equivalent circular pipe and further simplification into two‐node elements using the line source method not only affects the mold wall temperature calculation very slightly but also reduces the computer time by 93%. This indicates that it is feasible to achieve an integrated process simulation for GAIM under one CAE model, resulting in great computational efficiency for industrial application.