TECHNOLOGY OF INJECTION MOLDING – LEVEL 1

Goals of this Course:

  • Learn to process from the plastic’s point of view
  • Understand what scientific molding really means
  • Reduce scrap rates, downtime, and cycle times
  • Learn in English, Spanish, Mandarin & Hebrew

Build the Foundation. Today’s injection molding technology demands a well-trained production team. The science behind injection molding and ever increasing machine capabilities dictate that a technological approach to molding is the key to business success.

We use the latest in visual animations to take you inside the molding process, showing you what you can’t see on the production floor. Plastic behaves to predictable physical laws and doesn’t know or care what type of machine it’s in, the time of day, or the part it makes. Understanding processing from the plastics point of view (PPV) is the key to world-class molding.

Combined with the industry’s first and only injection molding machine simulation labs, our interactive training is the most advanced and effective learning platform available. Imagine learning the scientific techniques of injection molding, then immediately practicing those skills on a molding machine simulator without having a new learner risk damage to the mold or machine or wasting expensive material. There is no better way to learn! Visit the “Simulation Labs” tab to see the lab-work you’ll be doing.

Lesson 1 – Molding Machine Parts and Operation

In this lesson we describe the basic parts and operation of an injection molding machine. Both electric and hydraulic machines are covered. (Includes 1 SkillBuilder™ lesson)

Lesson 2 – Mold Types and Components

Injection molds produce the finished part. They are often complicated and expensive. This lesson covers the parts and operation of the three most common types of molds: two plate, three plate, and runnerless molds.

Lesson 3 – Plastic Behavior in Molding

Plastic has some unique characteristics. An understanding of plastic behavior is critical to becoming an expert molder. This lesson explains plastic behavior during molding. (Includes 1 SkillBuilder™ lesson)

Lesson 4 – Machine Fill and Pressure Controls

Understanding the fill, pack and hold phases of the molding cycle are critical to good molding. Today’s machines are highly capable of speed and pressure control during molding. This lesson explains how these controls operate. (Includes 5 SkillBuilder™ lessons)

Lesson 5 – Machine Timer, Temperature and Clamp Controls

In this lesson we continue our molding machine controls descriptions by explaining the timers, the temperature controls and the clamp controls of the machine. (Includes 7 SkillBuilder™ lessons)

Lessons 6-8 – SimTech Discovery Labs

This next set of lessons are actually lab work where the student enters into the discovery-based learning phase called SimTech Discovery Labs. This more advanced level of learning takes the student deeper into developing problem solving, analysis, and critical thinking skills.

 

SkillBuilder Guided Labs

Technology of Injection Molding – Level 1 Simulation Labs are available in English and Spanish.

Lesson 1: Understanding the Injection Molding Process

A review of the sequence of the standard injection molding cycle with emphasis on timer operation.

Lesson 2: Setting Machine Controls

Learn how to operate the control panel of the molding simulator and how to interpret SkillBuilder outputs like fill time, cycle time, melt temperature, part size, and part weight.

Lesson 3: Understanding Fill Rate Controls

Teaches the effects of setting SkillBuilder’s 5-step fill rate profile on cavity fill time and part characteristics.

Lesson 4: Setting the Injection Limit Timer

Learn the proper setting for the injection limit timer, which shuts off the injection pressure if the VPT setpoint is not reached.

Lesson 5: The Maximum Injection Pressure Settings

Discusses how to set the maximum injection pressure setting so the fill rate control never lacks the pressure it needs to fill the cavity according to the fill rate profile.

Lesson 6: Setting the Holding Pressure

Focuses on how to set various holding pressures to determine the effect on the molded part weight and length.

Lesson 7: The Effects of Back Pressure

Examines how raising and lowering the back pressure setting affects the melt temperature and the maximum allowable back pressure setting and the effects of exceeding it.

Lesson 8: The Effects of Barrel Zone Temperatures on the Melt Temperature

Vary the temperature setting of each barrel zone temperature, one at a time, to determine how each zone affects the melt temperature. Learn how to match the actual melt temperature to the front zone barrel setting; a good molding practice.

Lesson 9: Some Effects of the Mold Temperature

Set different core and cavity mold temperatures to determine the effect on peak cavity pressure and part dimensions.

Lesson 10: The Effects of Screw RPM

Learn by setting various screw rpms, the effects on the melt temperature and the plasticating time (the time required to convey the next shot of plastic ahead of the screw).

Lesson 11: The Effects of the Screw Back Position

Examines the effects of the screw back setting on the cushion size and on the melt temperature. Students can change the screw back position to increase and decrease the cushion size.

Lesson 12: Mold Closed Time and Mold Open Time vs Melt Temperature

Learn the effects of mold closed and open time on the melt temperature. Set the mold closed time to the minimum required to make a good part.

Lesson 13: Effects of Clamp Force

Learn how the molding conditions affect the amount of clamp force required and how to set the clamp force to the minimum required to produce a good part.

Lesson 14: Achieving and Controlling the Melt Temperature

Use knowledge gained in previous lessons to accurately achieve a desired melt temperature. Learn that front zone barrel temperature and the melt temperature often don’t match and examine the various machine controls available to alter the melt temperature.

SimTech Discovery Labs

SimTech Discovery Simulation Labs 1-4 

  • TIM Level 1 SimTech Lab 1 – Adjusting Melt Temperature 
  • TIM Level 1 SimTech Lab 2 – Effects of Screw Back Setting on Cushion Size 
  • TIM Level 1 SimTech Lab 3 – Effect of Mold Closed Time on Melt Temperature 
  • TIM Level 1 SimTech Lab 4 – Effects of Fill Rates on the Molded Parts

SimTech Discovery Simulation Labs 5-8 

  • TIM Level 1 SimTech Lab 5 – Effects of Clamp Force on Molded Parts 
  • TIM Level 1 SimTech Lab 6 – Effects of Pack/Hold Pressure on Molded Parts 
  • TIM Level 1 SimTech Lab 7 – Effects of Pack/Hold Time on the Molded Parts 
  • TIM Level 1 SimTech Lab 8 – Effects of Mold Temperature on Molded Parts 

SimTech Discovery Simulation Labs 9-12 

  • TIM Level 1 SimTech Lab 9 – Screw RPM Alarm 
  • TIM Level 1 SimTech Lab 10 – Max Injection Pressure Alarm 
  • TIM Level 1 SimTech Lab 11 – No Cushion Alarm 
  • TIM Level 1 SimTech Lab 12 – Low/High Melt Alarm 

    Flow Chart of Technology of Injection Molding – Level One

    The chart shows how the online coursework integrates with the Simulated Lab lessons. Molding simulation is a learning feature unique to Paulson.

    Demo Video

    • }8 Lessons + Simulation Labs – 20-25 Hours of Training
    • Language: English, Spanish, Mandarin & Hebrew
    • *Recommended: Entry level Personnel, All Personnel
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