Flawless micro-structured surfaces with Vario Mold: a special program from Battenfeld for maximum precision in injection molding

摘要

The trend to component miniaturization is not limited to the weight of the molded part. Increasingly it also involves microstructured surfaces. Molding micro-structured components correctly poses major challenges in terms of the precision of injection molding machines and requires special process control. Battenfeld has combined Vario Mold and a servo electrical injection molding machine to create a package that ensures flawless production of micro-structured surfaces. The special program guarantees the special heating and cooling processes which are so crucial to the overall processing cycle and prevents thermally degraded materials from being processed. The precise movements of the electrical injection molding machine effectively prevent the mold from springing open even within the μm range while the sensitive mold safety mechanism prevents microstructures from being destroyed when the mold is closed. The precise casting mentioned above is a very key factor in the manufacture of micro components and micro-structured surfaces. For example, in the melt viscosity of the plastic is too high, sharp-edged structures of the type found in gear wheels and other products might not be fully formed. Not completely filling the mold cavity results in rounded structures that prevent the component from functioning properly.