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Global efficiency of innovative rotational mold directly heated by thermal fluid
Author(s) -
Monzón Mario D.,
Bordón Pablo,
Benítez Antonio N.,
Kearns Mark,
Hernández Pedro M.,
Marrero María D.
Publication year - 2012
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.23139
Subject(s) - mold , materials science , computational fluid dynamics , electroforming , molding (decorative) , mechanical engineering , thermal , composite material , working fluid , mechanics , thermodynamics , engineering , physics , layer (electronics)
The article is focused on analysis of global efficiency of new mold for rotational molding of plastic parts, being directly heated by thermal fluid. The overall efficiency is based on several items such as reduction of cycle time, better uniformity of heating–cooling and low energy consumption. The new tool takes advantage of additive fabrication and electroforming for making the optimal manifold and cavity shell of the mold. Experimental test of a prototype mold was carried out on an experimental rotational molding machine, developed for this purpose, measuring wall temperature, and internal air temperature, with and without plastic material inside. Results were compared with conventional mold heated into an oven and to theoretical simulations done by Computational Fluid Dynamic software (CFD). The analysis represents considerable improvement of cycle time related to conventional methods (heated by oven) and better thermal uniformity to conventional procedures by direct heating of oil with external channels. In addition to thermal analysis an energetic efficiency study was done. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 52:1998–2005, 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers