Performance Simulation and Verification of Vat Photopolymerization Based, Additively Manufactured Injection Molding Inserts with Micro-Features

摘要

Injection molding soft tooling inserts manufactured additively with vat photopolymerization represent a valid technology for prototyping and pilot production of polymer parts. However, a significant drawback is the low heat conductivity of photopolymers influencing cycletime and part quality. In this research, the thermal performance of a 20x20x2.7 mm injection molding insert was simulated. A thermal camera was used to assess the quality and accuracy of the simulation. Both, simulation and measurements showed that the temperature cycle during injection molding becomes stationary within 3 to 5 cycles. After 2800 injection molding cycles, the experiment was stopped and the insert was still intact.