Design and Optimization of Conformal Cooling Channel For The Torch In Injection Moulding Tool

Abstract

A cooling channel that follows the shape of the product is called a conformal cooling channel. The conformal cooling channel is used in plastic injection moulding machine to cool product and mould. It is helpful for better product quality and increases production rate by reducing cooling time. The objective of the present work is to design and model a conformal cooling channel for a hand torch. In this work, total five cooling channels are designed using empirical formulae. The performance of conventional and conformal cooling channels is compared and conformal cooling channel is found to be a better option. The design of experiments (DOE) is used to get appropriate combinations of performance parameters and finite element analysis (FEA) using MOLD FLOW is carried out. Taguchi method is applied using MINITAB to optimize performance parameters for reduction of cooling time, sink marks and volumetric shrinkage. Individual as well as combine effects of performance parameters on response variables are obtained using MINITAB. The conformal cooling channel designed in the present work can reduce the cooling time and improve the other performance parameters of the process for better quality of the product (considered body of the hand torch) as compare to conventional cooling channel.