Comprehensive Analysis of the Injection Mold Process for Complex Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics with Conformal Cooling Channels Using Multiple Optimization Method Models

During the cooling phase of injection molding, the conformal cooling channel system optimizes the uniformity of mold temperature, diminishes warping deformation, and contributes substantially to heightened product precision. The injection molding process involves complex process parameters that may result in uneven cooling between components, leading to prolonged cycle times, increased shrinkage depth, and warping deformation of the plastic parts. These manifestations negatively impact the surface quality and structural strength of the final product. This article combined theoretical algorithms with finite element simulation (CAE) methods to optimize complex injection molding processes. Firstly, the characteristics of six different types of materials were examined. Melt temperature, mold opening time, injection time, holding time, holding pressure, and mold temperature were chosen as optimization variables. Meanwhile, the warpage deformation and shrinkage depth of the formed sample were selected as optimization objectives. Secondly, an L27 orthogonal experimental design (OED) was established, and the signal-to-noise ratio was processed. The entropy weight method (EWE) was used to calculate the weights of the total warpage deformation and shrinkage depth, thereby obtaining the grey correlation degree. The influence of process parameters on quality indicators was analyzed using grey relational analysis (GRA) to calculate the range. A second-order polynomial regression model was established using response surface methodology (RSM) to investigate the effects of six factors on the warpage deformation and shrinkage depth of injection molded parts. Finally, a comprehensive comparison was made on the impact of various optimization methods and models on the forming parameters. Analyze according to different optimization principles to obtain the corresponding optimal process parameters. The research results indicate that under the principle of prioritizing warpage deformation, the effectiveness ranking of the three optimization analyses is RSM > OED > GRA. The minimum deformation rate is 0.1592 mm, which is 27.37% lower than before optimization. Under the principle of prioritizing indentation depth, the effectiveness ranking of the three optimization analyses is OED > GRA > RSM. The minimum depth of shrinkage is 0.0312 mm, which is 47.21% lower than before optimization. This discovery provides strong support for the optimal combination of process parameters suitable for production and processing.

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Publication Details

Journal
Processes
Published
2025-09-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13092803
Primary Topic
Injection Molding Process and Properties
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Comprehensive Analysis of the Injection Mold Process for Complex Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics with Conformal Cooling Channels Using Multiple Optimization Method Models

Zhengcheng Tang, Meiyun Zhao
Processes
Injection Molding Process and Properties
article

Comprehensive Analysis of the Injection Mold Process for Complex Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics with Conformal Cooling Channels Using Multiple Optimization Method Models

Zhengcheng Tang, Meiyun Zhao
article en

Abstract

During the cooling phase of injection molding, the conformal cooling channel system optimizes the uniformity of mold temperature, diminishes warping deformation, and contributes substantially to heightened product precision. The injection molding process involves complex process parameters that may result in uneven cooling between components, leading to prolonged cycle times, increased shrinkage depth, and warping deformation of the plastic parts. These manifestations negatively impact the surface quality and structural strength of the final product. This article combined theoretical algorithms with finite element simulation (CAE) methods to optimize complex injection molding processes. Firstly, the characteristics of six different types of materials were examined. Melt temperature, mold opening time, injection time, holding time, holding pressure, and mold temperature were chosen as optimization variables. Meanwhile, the warpage deformation and shrinkage depth of the formed sample were selected as optimization objectives. Secondly, an L27 orthogonal experimental design (OED) was established, and the signal-to-noise ratio was processed. The entropy weight method (EWE) was used to calculate the weights of the total warpage deformation and shrinkage depth, thereby obtaining the grey correlation degree. The influence of process parameters on quality indicators was analyzed using grey relational analysis (GRA) to calculate the range. A second-order polynomial regression model was established using response surface methodology (RSM) to investigate the effects of six factors on the warpage deformation and shrinkage depth of injection molded parts. Finally, a comprehensive comparison was made on the impact of various optimization methods and models on the forming parameters. Analyze according to different optimization principles to obtain the corresponding optimal process parameters. The research results indicate that under the principle of prioritizing warpage deformation, the effectiveness ranking of the three optimization analyses is RSM > OED > GRA. The minimum deformation rate is 0.1592 mm, which is 27.37% lower than before optimization. Under the principle of prioritizing indentation depth, the effectiveness ranking of the three optimization analyses is OED > GRA > RSM. The minimum depth of shrinkage is 0.0312 mm, which is 47.21% lower than before optimization. This discovery provides strong support for the optimal combination of process parameters suitable for production and processing.

ProcessesVol. 13(9)
Jiangsu University (CN), Tongling University (CN)
Jiangsu University
Openalex Percentile: Top 77%
Injection Molding Process and Properties
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