Water-Assist Injection Molding - An Innovative Process Technology for Productivity Improvement Developments in Processing, Equipment and Materials

摘要

Although water-assist injection molding is still in its infancy, this enabling technology promises productivity improvements for applications that may otherwise be cost prohibitive with gas-assist injection molding. Cycle times are reduced through cooling time reductions and the utilization of water as a cost-effective cooling medium when compared to nitrogen. For example, automotive suppliers have the potential for a broad range of cost savings with the production of conduits like cooling pipes or oil pipes. Other parts with large cross sections may also be produced in a cost-effective manner with water-assist injection molding. In fact, production parts in Europe are now beginning. Compared to the gas-assist injection molding details of the process, equipment, and the special material developments will be examined in this paper.