Computer-Aided Design and Engineering for M16 Handguard Manufacturing

摘要

This study presents a computer-aided design and engineering (CAD/CAE) for design and optimization of M16 handguard manufacturing. A new design of handguard was developed in terms of various combinations of supporting ribs inside the component. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was used to simulate the stress distribution as well as the evaluation of supporting ribs in the component. The injection molding was used for production of the handguard;;therefore, the CAE was used to simulate the effect of gate location and gate type on the weld lines. The excessive flash technique, which extended the filled time and continued the melt lines to flow after the melt recombination, was introduced in order to reduce the weld lines. The simulation results indicated that the stress concentration in the loading and vent hole regions had potential to cause the handguard to fracture. However, the combination of vertical and horizontal ribs reduced the stress concentration in the component. The weld lines located near the vent hole, in which the melt fronts came in contact with each other. The type and location of gates did not affect the weld lines during the time that they were observed for strong influence by the excessive flash.