Title: Process capability study of rapid silicon moulding for plastic components

Authors: Rupinder Singh; Balpreet Singh

Addresses: Department of Production Engineering, Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana-141-006, India. ' Department of Production Engineering, Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana-141-006, India

Abstract: The purpose of the present study is to investigate process capability of rapid silicon moulding for plastic components. Starting from the identification of component, prototypes with two different type of plastic material were produced under different vacuum moulding conditions. Measurements on the coordinate measuring machine helped in calculating the dimensional tolerances of the plastic components produced. Some important mechanical properties were also compared to verify the suitability of the components. Final components produced are acceptable as per ISO standard UNI EN 20286-I (1995) and DIN16901. The results of study suggest that rapid silicon moulding process lies in ± 4.5 sigma (σ) limit as regards the dimensional accuracy of plastic components is concerned. This process ensures rapid production of pre-series technological prototypes and proof of concept at less production cost and time.

Keywords: plastic components; process capability; silicon moulding; rapid moulding; vacuum moulding; dimensional accuracy; rapid manufacturing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMATEI.2012.046891

International Journal of Materials Engineering Innovation, 2012 Vol.3 No.2, pp.89 - 100

Received: 21 Jan 2011
Accepted: 25 Apr 2011

Published online: 23 Aug 2014 *

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