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Ejection force modeling for stereolithography injection molding tools
Author(s) -
Pham Giang T.,
Colton Jonathan S.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.10981
Subject(s) - stereolithography , materials science , molding (decorative) , finite element method , shrinkage , thermal expansion , composite material , mechanical engineering , structural engineering , engineering
Stereolithography (SL) molds have proven effective for short injection molding runs. However, they are susceptible to failure because of their poor mechanical properties, especially at elevated temperatures. A majority of these failures occur during the ejection stage, as a result of excessive ejection forces. An ejection force model was developed by combining the effects of thermal shrinkage and mechanical interlocking due to stair‐steps on the surface of SL tools. Finite element analyses were performed to validate and complement the ejection force equation. Measured forces and temperatures from injection molding experiments indicated that the ejection force model is valid for SL molds of both circular and non‐circular shape. The average differences between measured and predicted ejection forces were approximately 10%.