scientific molding
Improve Quality & Productivity With Advanced Screw Design
Most molders are still running with screw designs that haven’t changed much in 30 years. But they don’t need to.
John Bozzelli
Online Versions of Process Development Course and Software Launch
NPE2024: FimmTech will introduce online versions of its Nautilus process development software as well as its Scientific Molding and Design of Experiments (DOE) process development course.
Read MoreHow to Set Barrel Zone Temps in Injection Molding
Start by picking a target melt temperature, and double-check data sheets for the resin supplier’s recommendations. Now for the rest...
Read MoreAre Your Sprue or Parts Sticking? Here Are Some Solutions
When a sprue or part sticks, the result of trying to unstick it is often more scratches or undercuts, making the problem worse and the fix more costly. Here’s how to set up a proper procedure for this sticky wicket.
Read MoreA Simpler Way to Calculate Shot Size vs. Barrel Capacity
Let’s take another look at this seemingly dull but oh-so-crucial topic.
Read MoreHow to Get Rid of Bubbles in Injection Molding
First find out if they are the result of trapped gas or a vacuum void. Then follow these steps to get rid of them.
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Graphing Injection Pressure: What Should Pack & Hold Curves Show?
Are you sure your press is doing what you want? Visit your controller often to ensure your machines plot the pressure vs. time graph for all your processes. Here let’s focus on pack and hold.
John Bozzelli
RJG Opens New Training Lab in Germany
RJG Germany GmbH opened its new training lab on Jan. 1, 2020, including a classroom that seats up to 20 students and a fully-equipped lab for hands-on experience.
Read MoreRJG Helps Bring Molding Training to Nebraska College
Central Community College (CCC) to embed RJG education into curriculum when new training lab is completed in the beginning of 2020.
Read MoreProcess Capability and the ‘Hesitation Effect’
Understanding the concepts of pack and hold and applying them during process development is critical for molders to achieve consistent part quality.
Read MorePART 2: The Importance of Consistent Fill Time
To make identical parts, you need to keep fill time constant. In part one we covered the why. Here’s the how.
Read MorePart 1: The Importance of Consistent Fill Time
To make identical parts, you need to keep fill time constant. Here’s why.
Read MoreInjection Molding: Sliding vs. Locking Ring—Which Non-Return Valve Is Right for You?
The locking-ring style appears to dominate the market, as most believe it makes a make a better seal and leaks less. But is this really so?
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The 'Butterfly Effect' in Injection Molding—A Connected Process
In injection molding, a seemingly minor change in a setpoint can have a significant impact on part quality and process robustness and repeatability. That’s why Scientific Molding focuses on process outputs, not setpoints.
Robert Gattshall
, Scientific Molding Columnist
Up to Snuff on Scientific Molding? Then it’s Time to Mold ‘Systematically’
Scientific molding is centered around learning about key molding principles and theories. The strategic application of those principles and theories is what’s known as systematic molding.
Read MoreInjection Molding: Is There a ‘Most-Important’ Process Parameter?
A case can be made for multiple variables—fill balance, fill time, injection pressure, cavity pressure—as most important. But there is something else altogether that is essential to successful injection molding.
Read MoreImproving Molding Process Capability: The Role of the Five Essential Pillars, Part 2
Each contributes to molded-part quality, and each must be optimized before production begins.
Read MoreInjection Molding: Fill Based on Volume, Not Weight
Most parts should be 90-99% full after first-stage—by volume not weight. Here’s why that’s important and how to make a first-stage-only part.
Read MoreInjection Molding: Safety First—Know the Compatibility of Different Resins
Certain materials don’t play well together when mixed. So it’s best not to. Here are some guidelines.
Read MoreInjection Molding: Process Documentation Is Crucial to Making ‘Identical’ Parts
Use a machine/mold setup sheet to document plastic parameters and use them on any acceptable machine into which the mold is placed.
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Mold-Clamping Details for Profit
Taking time to sweat the details of clamping is not much fun, but they do make a difference in a company’s bottom line.
John Bozzelli
Automate Injection Molding Simulation With Autonomous Optimization
Simulation not only predicts how a mold will fill, but also provides guidance to make it fill better. The new technology of Autonomous Optimization automatically performs hundreds or thousands of simulations, testing multiple variables—gating, venting and cooling, for example—and learning which combinations help achieve objectives for injection pressure, cycle time, warpage, etc.
Read MoreImproving Molding Process Capability: Understanding the PVT Graph, Part 1
Process capability is related to the variation in part dimensions from shot to shot. High values of process capability require the shrinkage of the material to be identical on each shot, which can be confirmed from the pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) graph.
Read MoreGetting Started with Medical Molding: First Consider the ‘Four E’s’
Global medical molder Nypro provides first-hand guidance on what you need to get into the medical molding business.
Read MoreInjection Molding: A Practical Approach to Calculating Residence Time
Toss the formulas. The best way to determine residence time is to conduct a simple experiment.
Read MoreInjection Molding: How Backpressure Adjustments Influence Shot Size
Raising backpressure results in increasing shot size, which can cause a host of other problems.
Read MoreA New Way to Mold Better Parts Faster and Easier
A new injection molding process ‘breaks all the rules’ by using low, constant pressure to achieve faster cycles and better-quality parts.
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