Verification and evaluation of automatically designed cooling channels for block-laminated molds

Abstract

This study discusses an automatic design method of injection mold cooling channels using a genetic algorithms (GA) and a finite element method (FEM), combined with an evaluation function based on unsteady-state heat transfer and linear static deformation. The uniformity of cooling and the deformation effect were observed in the injection mold with the automatically designed cooling channel through a verification experiment. The genetic algorithm was applied in the following steps: the generation of finite elements of individuals expressing different cooling channel shapes, the definition of the fitness function to evaluate individuals, the genetic operation for individuals, and the automatic generation of the cooling channel shape. Finally, based on a molding experiment, the cooling and deformation effects were investigated. Results of resin cooling uniformity, temperature distribution of molding parts, and deformation of mold were demonstrated.