SIGMASOFT® Process Optimization of Clamping Force and Required Pressure

Once your injection moulding unit goes into series production you will finally see if it has a suitable layout for mass production.  The worst scenario that could happen at that moment in time would be to detect that the machine and/or the mould are too small.
What happens if the mould and/or the injection moulding unit are too small?
An injection molding unit that is too small can not produce the necessary filling pressure during the filling phase with the result that the cavity will not be filled. That makes it extremely difficult to produce good quality parts.

A smaller mould will open during filling or latest in the packing phase. With insufficient clamping force the mould will leak, leading to the formation of flashes and possibly damaging the parting plane. When producing elastomers, the opening of the mould can lead to significant loss of holding pressure and scorching does not reach the desired mechanical properties.

A complete change of machinery and/or a new mould design signify high costs that were initially not accounted for. That means loosing time and producing less parts than initially planned.
It doesn't need to be this way!

Using simulation you can calculate various scenarios beforehand. This helps you to make the right decisions regarding the sizes of machine and unit. Especially in times in which energy costs are soaring, the selection of an adequate machine can lead to significant savings.

Compared is the required inlet pressure of two different processes leading to an inlet pressure that is different by more than factor 2. The required inlet pressure is the decisive factor for the injection moulding unit to be used and the costs it will cause during production.



The upper figure shows how the clamping force changes depending on the number of cavities. The development of a mould usually starts with the design of a prototype mould that is used as the basis for the multi cavity mould. This can not always happen 1:1. In this example, the clamping force only reduces by factor two, but the number of cavities reduces by factor 4. Knowledge matters. Simulation means knowing. Knowing the clamping force you need. With this knowledge you can design the press and/or the number of cavities.

The direct comparison provides you solid results in shortest time.
For more information, please contact us directly on:           
E-mail: info@sigmasoft.de or phone.: +49-241-894950