Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Mold Design Considerations for Thermoplastic Resins


The most common type of polymer used in injection molding is thermoplastic resins.  There are many different types of resins with various properties to meet part specifications for functionality.  When designing injection molds, the engineer must take into consideration all properties of the resin specified for the produce including adhesion, elasticity, resistance to high temperatures, shrink rate, resistance to corrosives, and desired finish whether matte or polished.

The cooling and shrink rate are of the utmost importance, as some parts with a high shrink rate will need the cavity designed accordingly so the finished product will cool and shrink within specifications.  Cooling rate is also important for ejection, as the resin must completely solidify prior to mold ejection.
When an injection molded part has a critical functionality, mold flow analysis may be helpful in determining resin flow into tight geometric areas.  Mold flow analysis clearly shows with computer aided simulation how the resin will flow as determined from its properties.  Predicting how thermoplastic resin will flow in the mold and cavities prior to cutting steel can be a valuable tool in avoiding costly mistakes.  Conducting the proper advanced quality planning with mold flow analysis can greatly improve lead times.  
Most journeyman mold makers will already possess the knowledge of hos particular resins flow just from experience.  A skilled design engineer with experience in manufacturing molds will have the knowledge to design the tool to produce a part to print specifications, with the chosen resin properties playing a huge role in tool design.
At Michiana Global Mold, we have been providing high quality precision molds for over 60 years, possessing more than 500 years of combined experience.  Our staff of highly skilled design engineers and journeymen mold makers are the best in the business with vast experience in various thermoplastic resins.

Contact Michiana Global Mold today to speak with one of our skilled and experienced mold designers to learn how we can assist you with your injection mold requirement.  We are an ISO9001:2015 Registered mold making company with vast experience constructing custom, precision injection molds for various industries.

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