Computer-aided injection molding system

Results are presented of research undertaken to: (1) identify and solve rheological problems of injection molding; (2) develop numerical analysis techniques for simulating the injection molding process; (3) establish quantitative guidelines for mold design; (4) evaluate existing part descriptors for applications to mold design and manufacture; and (5) develop and implement an integrated computer aided design/manufacturing system as a prototype. It was found that mold filling can be scientifically predicted to an acceptable degree of accuracy for industrial applications not only for simple molds but also for industrial molds with fairly complex geometries. Sophisticated numerical schemes (finite difference, finite element, and a hybrid of the two) were developed to simulate molding dynamics. The feasibility of automating the mold design procedures through effective computer use was demonstrated.