Simulation of the filling process in molding components with micro channels

Abstract

In micro molding of components with micro features, the ability for the polymer melt to flow into the micro channels is a crucial factor for successful molding. In this case, the molded volume is about the same as the conventional molding. The penetration distance into the microstructure depends on the flow rate and the cooling rate of the micro features, which is function of the geometric dimensions. In this study, a simplified model was established to estimate the injection distance into the micro channels of a mold insert. The effect of the mold temperature, injection rate, and micro channel dimension on the filling distance was investigated based on the model. The filling distance increases dramatically with respect to the increase of the channel width. In molding of components with micro features as those analyzed in this study, decrease of the part thickness could enhance the filling in the micro features.