Title: Adaptive system for electrically driven thermoregulation of moulds for injection moulding

Authors: B. Zagar, B. Nardin, A. Glojek, D. Krizaj

Addresses: Tecos, Slovenian Tool and Die Development Centre, Kidriceva cesta 25, SI-3000 Celje, Slovenia. ' Tecos, Slovenian Tool and Die Development Centre, Kidriceva cesta 25, SI-3000 Celje, Slovenia. ' Tecos, Slovenian Tool and Die Development Centre, Kidriceva cesta 25, SI-3000 Celje, Slovenia. ' Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Trzaska cesta 25, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Abstract: One of the basic problems in the development and production process of moulds for injection moulding is the control of temperature conditions in the mould. Nowadays temperature is controlled through mould cooling system, which consists of cooling channels, where the cooling fluid transports the needed heat to/from the mould. Such systems control heat exchange process through entire mould, what is in nowadays complex shape and material processing demands insufficient. Owing to this fact, it is mandatory to develop a new system, which will allow fast and precisely located temperature changes in predefined mould locations. In the paper the authors will present results of the research project, which was carried out in three phases and its results patented in PCT/EP2007/003471.1 The main results of the project were total and rapid online thermo regulation of the mould over the cycle time and overall quality of plastic product with emphasis on deformation control. The presented application represents a milestone on the field of mould temperature and product quality control during the injection moulding process.

Keywords: injection moulding; mould cooling; thermoelectric modules; FEM analyses; temperature control; thermoregulation; deformation control; finite element method; quality control.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMP.2008.018746

International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, 2008 Vol.3 No.2/3, pp.439 - 450

Published online: 16 Jun 2008 *

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