Injection Molding Keeps Golf Greens Pristine

摘要

This challenging LDPE part measures 14 × 16 × 0.175 in.thick and weighs around 0.65 lb.You might call it a Duffer’s Delight: It’s a mat designed to protect golf greens and other grass surfaces from damaging”divots.”Just hitting the market last month,it’s called”Terfy”and comes from inventor Philip Vala and his firm,Innovation Equity Group Ltd.in Oakville,Ont.(terfy.com).It was custom molded by Omachron Technologies in Pontypool,Ont.(omachrontechnologies.com).Omachron developed a tabletop injection machine that uses intrusion molding to mold parts weighing up to 140 lb with a screw no larger than 1.25 in.,as well as low-cost aluminum molds(see March’19 Close-Up).This system can mold large parts,comparable to the capabilities of a 500-ton injection press,at low pressures(up to 900 psi)and low temperatures,with resulting low internal stresses,according to the company.The Terfy part was molded in 20 min for development purposes,but Omachron is confident that it can be done in 6 min for commercial production.