Abstract:

During the course in polymer chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry (UNAM) we have develop a simulation software in order to teach the essential concepts of injection molding. The software allows to interact with the different machines in order to develop skills.
Injection molding is one of the most useful methods to produce plastic parts in the industry, It is used to create finished articles with a wide range of applications. Because of its versatility and amount of plastic consumed is one of the most important of the polymer flow processes. There are a lot of different variables that the students can change in order to simulate the different types of injection Molding.
The program has more than 100 interactive pages covering: type of plastics used in injection, principal variables, type of screw, clamping devices, heating bands, hydraulic injection cylinder, feed hopper, closing devices, cooling, feeding, different type of molds, and termination steps.

With the aid of animations we explain the molding cycle with its tree basic stages; filling, packing, and cooling. Influence of the pressure in each of the steps and also the influence of the viscosity of the polymer. The idea is to produce the best product in the lower time with the best polymer for the use and shape of the part.

Keywords:

injection molding, software, simulation.