In-process monitoring of micromoulding - assessment of process variation
Whiteside, Benjamin R. Coates, Philip D. Martyn, Michael T.
Whiteside, Benjamin R.
Coates, Philip D.
Martyn, Michael T.
Publication Date
2005
End of Embargo
Supervisor
Rights
Peer-Reviewed
Yes
Open Access status
Accepted for publication
Institution
Department
Awarded
Embargo end date
Additional title
Abstract
Advances in micromoulding technology are leading to complex,net-shape products having sub-milligramme masses with micro-scale surface features in a range of polymer and nano-composite materials.For such small components subjected to the extreme stress,strain-rate and temperature gradients encountered in the micromoulding process,detailed process monitoring is desirable to highlight variations in moulding conditions and assist in creating a viable manufacturing process with acceptable quality products.This paper covers the implementation of a suite of sensors on a commercial micromoulding machine and detailed computer monitoring during processing of a polyacetal component over a range of processing conditions.The results determined that cavity pressure curve integral data provides the most sensitive factor for characterisation of a moulding process of a 0.34 mm~3(0.49 mg)product.The repeatability of the process is directly compared with that of a 15.6mm~3(22.2 mg)product and shown to beinferior.DSC measurements of the whole products indicated little variation in average crystallinity of the products manufactured over a mould temperature range of 30 to 130deg C.
Version
No full-text in the repository
Citation
Whiteside BR, Coates PD and Martyn MT (2005) In-process monitoring of micromoulding - assessment of process variation. International Polymer Processing. 20(2): 162-169.
Link to publisher’s version
Link to published version
Link to Version of Record
Type
Article