Application of Additive Manufacturing Technologies to the Design of Plastic Inserts in Injection Molding Applications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5944/ribim.29.2.45409Keywords:
CAD, Industrial design, Injection molding, Additive manufacturing.Abstract
The growing demand for complex plastic components in short series has driven the evolution of manufacturing processes. Additive manufacturing enables the production of customized parts with complex geometries and reduced life cycles, although its anisotropy limits the functionality of plastic components. In this context, the new plastic material and the revolutionary rapid tooling technologies offer an efficient alternative, enabling the rapid manufacture of injection molds with properties comparable to those produced in series. This study presents an evaluation of the mechanical behavior of molds made with glass fibre-reinforced PA plastic material, using numerical simulations under real-life operating conditions. The results indicate a uniform stress distribution in the mold cavity, with values of 25 MPa and 18 MPa, without exceeding the material's yield strength. The maximum displacements recorded were 0.095 mm and 0.041 mm, ensuring the structural integrity of the inserts during use. These findings highlight the potential of plastic materials in short-run mold manufacturing, providing a cost-effective and efficient solution for the production of highly complex, customized polymer components.
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