Plastic processing technologies plastics tooling

Moldflow Plastics Xpert (MPX) process automation and control technology provides machine operators with an easy-to-learn and easy-to-use tool for the setup, optimization, and control of the IM process. Finally, a tool exists that allows a less-experienced operator to set up molds, optimize the process, and control production. 

Processes developed for the injection molding of circuit boards include PCK Technology s mold-n-plate process uses two shots, the first being one of catalytic resins, to form paths on plastic parts that are then processed in a copper bath to form circuitry. Special grades of polysulfone, polyethersulfone, and polyarylsulfone are used for the process. In the in-mold metallization process, various conductive, resistive, capacitive, or inductive components are embedded directly into the plastic part in the tool. 

The production engineering complexity of using one process technology for car panels and another for the tubular steel frame have been overcome for some American sports cars, but the majority of motor manufacturers prefer to continue to use steel throughout. The total production costs for sheet metal panels (tooling and materials) are smaller than for plastics for large volume production, but lower for RRIM and SMC plastics for lower production volumes. 

Extruders are thermomechanical mixers that consist of one or more screws in a barrel. Extrusion technology was initially applied in the plastics processing area, and after years of development and application, it has become a well-elaborated tool with technical solutions available for other fields like the pharmaceutical industry (for the production of controlled-release formulations). 

New Computer Aids for Tool Design and Process Modeling. Plastics Technology, pp. 21-27, Aug. 1986. 

Plastics have engineering properties with many versatile processing technologies and present modern product design which is not available in other materials. The use of plastic in automotive components is increased due to computer aided engineering and optimization of tools to be used to design plastic components. However, the use of such tools. 

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