DESIGN TOOLS FOR RAPID THERMAL CYCLING

摘要

Mold temperature control is very important in injection molding, influencing both the part quality and production rate. The solid freeform fabrication (SFF) processes such as 3D Printing have demonstrated the ability to construct complex internal channels inside the tool to improve the process temperature condition. By running the hot and the cold oil alternately through the conformal channels, the mold surface temperature is well controlled so that isothermal filling and rapid cooling are achieved for the high part quality and the short cycle time. A low thermal inertia tool and a rapid thermal cycling system are being developed at MIT. This paper discusses models and design rules involved in the design of tools for rapid thermal cycling.