Injection machine, power required

Calculations to Estimate Power Required on an Injection Machine to mold 10 and 4 oz. shots of High... 

Heating system efficiency was assessed two ways. First, the heating system power required to process the same material and throughput was compared for band-heaters and induction on the laboratory injection molding machine. An identical part was produced at a constant rate from multiple materials using two different screw types. Next, for both... 

Polycarbonate can be readily injection molded. Polycarbonates typically require only a short injection molding cycle time, because the polymer flows into the mold easily and solidifies rapidly. We injection mold polycarbonate to produce a wide variety of commercial goods, including compact disks, jewel cases, aircraft windows, kitchen utensils, and clear refrigerators drawers. Polycarbonates are also found in a wide range of disposable medical devices, such as the flow locks on intravenous tubes and the hard, disposable components of dialysis machines. Impact resistant polycarbonate is used to manufacture sports and other safety helmets. Glass fiber reinforced polycarbonate is used in the housings for power tools. 

Depending on capital investment limitations, extruders may be heated by passing steam through the barrel jacket and/or by direct steam injection. Low-cost autogenous machines, which create heat by friction between the feed material and the surfaces of the barrel, screw and steam locks, and do not require steam-generating equipment, are also used (Wiejratne et al., 2004). This process is referred to as dry extrusion, and the extruder can be powered by a farm tractor and was originally developed to cook whole soybeans on-farm to prepare feeds. 

The operation of the injection and clamp units and other components of the injection molding machine (opening and closing of the mold and melting and injection of the polymer material) requires power, which is supplied by an electric motor. The orderly delivery of this power depends on auxiliary systems the hydraulic and control systems. The hydraulic system, the muscle for most maehines, transmits and controls the power from the electric motor to the various parts of the maehine. Maehine functions are regulated by a careful control of the flow, direction, and pressure of the hydraulic fluid. The elements of the hydraulic system for most injection molding machines are essentially the same fluid reservoir, pumps, valves, cylinders, hydraulic motors, and lines (Figure 11.8). 

IMM with an oil hydrauUc system provides the power to turn the screw to plasticate the plastic, inject the melt into the mold cavity, close the mold clamp, hold clamp tonnage, release the clamp, and eject the molded part. A number of hydraulic components are required to provide this power, including motors, pumps, directional valves, fittings, tubings, and oil reservoirs/tanks. See drive-system control hydraulic fluid influenced by heat, injection molding machine hydromechanical clamp See clamping, hydromechanical. 

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