An experimental evaluation of vibration-assisted injection molding during manufacturing (Reprinted from Proceedings of Materials Processing Symposium: 1999 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition, November 14-19, 1999)

The current investigation focused on contributing to the development of a novel injection molding process by attempting to understand the scientific relationship that exists between the applied vibrational parameters involved in this process and the effect it has on final product polymeric characterization. Although previous and current attempts at understanding the connection between applied oscillatory or vibrational motion to an injection molding process have shown positive quantitative advantages to final product properties, there still exists a void in the scientific explanation on a molecular level linking these effects. This experimental study, in particular, involved an evaluation on a range of processing conditions applied to polystyrene and the effects produced on resultant product quality and polymer properties. Optimal control and mechanical vibrational molding conditions were obtained for polystyrene. As a result of this, opportunities for initial commercial utilization of the technology can be proposed.