Laser-micromachining of 3D injection molds to fabricate easy-flow polymeric containers

对 3D 注塑模具进行激光微加工以制造易流动的聚合物容器

• 批准号: 543630-2019
• 负责人: Kietzig, AnneMarie
• 金额: $ 1.73万
• 依托单位: McGill University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Collaborative Research and Development Grants
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2021-01-01 至 2022-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=720747
• 关键词: Laser; micromachining; 3D; injection; molds

A frequent problem in the use of food and waste packaging is the final emptying of containers. Food decomposition emissions are a major contributor to global warming, acidification and enthrophication. Thus, there is an interesting environmental gain in completely emptying food packaging. Of similar importance is sustainable waste packaging and easy emptying of waste containers. Non-stick, self-emptying containers would be a welcome innovation. In this CRD project, three academic researchers in Canada and Germany have joint forces with a globally acting bulk and food packaging manufacturer (IPL Inc.) and an injection mold fabricant (Moulexpert) to develop an industrial process for the fabrication of easy-flow and self-cleaning plastic containers. We propose to (1) fundamentally assess the relationship between polymer flow into micro and nanotextures by rheological studies, (2) establish a femtosecond laser machining protocol for fabricating textured mold surfaces suitable for molding and de-molding of container side walls in an effort to induce the desired easy-flow self-cleaning functionality onto the resulting polymer part, (3) assess lubricant-infusion in the textured polymer surfaces for the fabrication of robust slippery self-healing container insides, (4) take laser-micromachining of metallic mold surfaces from the laboratory scale to the industrial level with establishing appropriate parameters for high-throughput laser machining and finally (5) texture a complex industrial injection mold for the fabrication of food or waste containers. The outcomes have direct value for the industrial partners as they can therewith extend their product range and revolutionize the packaging sector.One PDF, one PhD and two UG summer students will be trained in the context of this project. They will gain valuable insights not only in the fundamental research fields of polymer rheology, laser-matter interactions and surface wetting but also with respect to application when running industrial injection molding tests at IPL Inc. The results from this research work will have a direct effect on the life of Canadians, as less food wasted and easier compost handling will overall reduce landfill waste and protect the environment from further emissions. Furthermore, Canada will stand out as a nation bringing forward a revolutionary technology that could be applied to other industries based on injection molded parts as well.

在使用食品和废物包装时，一个经常出现的问题是容器的最终排空。食物分解排放是造成全球变暖、酸化和大气酸化的主要因素。因此，在完全清空食品包装中有一个有趣的环境收益。同样重要的是可持续的废物包装和废物容器的容易排空。不粘、自动倒空的容器将是一项受欢迎的创新。在这个CRD项目中，加拿大和德国的三位学术研究人员与一家全球知名的散装和食品包装制造商（IPL Inc.）和一家注塑模具制造商（Moulexpert）联合开发了一种制造易流动和自清洁塑料容器的工业工艺。我们建议(1)通过流变学研究从根本上评估聚合物流入微观和纳米纹理之间的关系，(2)建立一种飞秒激光加工方案，用于制造适合容器侧壁成型和脱模的纹理模具表面，努力在所得到的聚合物部分上诱导所需的易流动自清洁功能。(3)评估润滑油在聚合物表面的注入，用于制造坚固光滑的自修复容器内部；(4)将金属模具表面的激光微加工从实验室规模提升到工业水平，并建立合适的高通量激光加工参数；最后(5)为制造食品或废物容器制造复杂的工业注射模具。结果对工业合作伙伴有直接的价值，因为他们可以因此扩展他们的产品范围并彻底改变包装行业。本项目将培养一名博士生、一名博士和两名本科生暑期生。他们将不仅在聚合物流变学、激光物质相互作用和表面润湿的基础研究领域获得宝贵的见解，而且在IPL公司进行工业注射成型测试时也将获得有关应用的见解。这项研究工作的结果将对加拿大人的生活产生直接影响，因为更少的食物浪费和更容易的堆肥处理将总体上减少垃圾填埋场的垃圾，并保护环境免受进一步的排放。此外，加拿大将作为一个提出革命性技术的国家脱颖而出，该技术也可以应用于以注塑成型零件为基础的其他行业。