Rapid heating injection moulding: An experimental surface temperature study

Rapid heat cycle moulding (RHCM) is a recent set of injection technologies that allow a full temperature control in a mould. Between all technologies available in terms of heating and cooling, electrical resistance heating and water cooling were chosen for this study. The mould design has a capital importance in terms of process efficiency. Thermal and mechanical key points must be addressed together. Temperature distribution in moulding cavity and quality part run together. Before mould machining, a full mechanical, thermal and rheological simulation was carried out. Due to transient thermal complexity, thermal simulation was validated using infrared thermography on a dummy tool fitted with both heating and cooling devices. All this previous work is usual for each new tool. When a new process is suggested for new part requirements, it is necessary to understand injection physical bases in order to prevent unexpected failures. This work introduces the mould temperature curve to realize how RHCM works, and compare its results with conventional moulding. The influence of cavity temperature map was studied with a cavity pressure and temperature sensor helped with near infrared thermography. At the same time, the relationship with parameters which control both heating and cooling periods was considering. Simulation and experimental results are compared, and RHCM process highlights could be well understood to improve future new injection parts development.