Optimization of injection molding tools: project venting

Injection molding Properly vent injection molding tools

2024-07-26 Source: SKZ | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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If injection molding tools are not adequately vented, defects and weak points on the components as well as damage to the tools can occur. In a joint project, industrial companies want to work together with the Plastic Center SKZ to gain a deeper understanding of tool venting.

Inadequate venting can result in defects and weak points on the components as well as damage to the tools.(Image: SKZ) — Inadequate venting can result in defects and weak points on the components as well as damage to the tools.
(Image: SKZ)

The proper venting of injection molding tools depends on a variety of factors such as cavity volume, injection speed, part geometry, and flow paths. Accordingly, selecting a sensible venting concept is complex. The Plastic Center SKZ in Würzburg wants to be a pioneer for the industry and, together with leading industry representatives, develop solution concepts.

Gaseous products when processing thermoplastics

"When injecting the polymer into the cavity, not only is the air trapped inside displaced. In the processing of many thermoplastics, gaseous products can be formed that also need to escape from the tool. This includes, in particular, fiber-reinforced and/or flame-retardant materials and, for example, polyolefins, polycarbonates, and polyamides. Inadequate venting often leads to damage," explains Christian Deubel, Senior Engineer Research Injection Molding at SKZ.

In industrial everyday life, this often leads to many expensive iteration loops in tool making until a satisfactory quality is achieved. Various solutions for ventilation systems do exist on the market. However, a suitable methodology for quickly and specifically finding the optimal ventilation for the specific application has so far been lacking, according to Deubel.

Recommended actions for optimized venting simulations

For this reason, SKZ has teamed up with industrial companies to quantitatively assess existing venting systems for various applications and derive corresponding recommendations. At the end of the research activity, the SKZ experts want to enable a simulation of the geometry variants, including venting solutions, and comparison with the real (measured) results, and to work out a recommendation for optimized venting simulations and implementation in the tool. "This should make it easier in the future to recognize the correct venting methodology from the outset and provide for it in the tool, in order to avoid costly optimizations and rework," says Thomas Zentgraf, Senior Engineer at SKZ.

The SKZ's offer to participate in the research met with great approval. In total, seven companies have now joined forces to work on a solution - including:

Bürkert Werke GmbH & Co. KG
GHD Precision Mold Making GmbH & Co. KG
ifm electronic gmbh
ITW Automotive Products GmbH
Schaeffler Höchstadt
UVEX Occupational Safety GmbH
voestalpine HPM Germany Participation SE

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