Polymer Engineering and Science, Vol.42, No.4, 681-693, 2002
Ejection force modeling for stereo lithography injection molding tools
Stereolithography (SL) molds have proven effective for short injection molding runs. However, they are susceptible to failure because of their poor mechanical properties, especially at elevated temperatures. A majority of these failures occur during the ejection stage, as a result of excessive ejection forces. An ejection force model was developed by combining the effects of thermal shrinkage and mechanical interlocking due to stair-steps on the surface of SL tools. Finite element analyses were performed to validate and complement the ejection force equation. Measured forces and temperatures from injection molding experiments indicated that the ejection force model is valid for SL molds of both circular and non-circular shape. The average differences between measured and predicted ejection forces were approximately 10%.