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Eurotherm’s iPact feature utilizes
Intellimold™, a
complete real time closed loop system that controls molding
processes based on recommended processing conditions for the
material. Controlling to these conditions reduces material
degradation and deformation, which correlates to better parts.
The processing conditions are
Injection pressure (dynamic fill, and pack & hold), Melt temperature and
Injection time.
Controlling
Injection Pressure
Melt temperature and injection time are
easily achievable, since they are fixed values that can be directly
entered into an operator interface on the machine. Injection
pressures are a different story. Conventional molding techniques
attempt to achieve recommended injection pressure by means of a
velocity profile. But a constant velocity does not correlate to a
constant internal melt pressure due to the non-linear behavior of
material. This results in linearization of the polymer during the
dynamic fill stage up to 10:1 in comparison to the pre-molded
spherical structure; residual stress and micro cracks from the pack
and hold stage; and excessive shear.
Internal Melt
pressure
With some materials the key to good
molding is to control the internal melt pressure in real time in
order to give the material optimal molding conditions to solidify in
a state of designed morphology. Internal melt pressure is the result
of four dynamic components. These components are shrinkage forces,
resistance of the mold, resistance of the air trapped in the tool,
and partial solidification of the melt. Since these forces vary
throughout the cycle, so does the internal melt pressure.
This method of process control is
available in a total machine control systems or as a stand alone
package. More information in the iPact data bulletin listed below..
| iPact Documentation |
| Specification sheet |
HA136761 Iss 1
(308KB)
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