Computer-Aided-Engineering (CAE) for the Gas-Assisted Injection Molding Process

气体辅助注射成型工艺被其支持者认为是自往复式螺杆注射成型机发明以来注射成型工艺最重要的发展。该工艺包括将聚合物熔体部分注入模腔，然后注入压缩气体，压缩气体穿透并在原则上掏空预先设计的厚截面气体通道网络，直到型腔被填满。当该工艺得到很好的发展和理解时，它可以生产出许多重量轻、刚性高的注塑件，并将为塑料零件的设计提供巨大的灵活性。该过程的分析涉及两种截然不同的材料在几何形状复杂的模腔中的流动。本研究旨在为这一创新过程的表征建立科学依据并获得工程解决方案。本研究的成功成果不仅将加速该工艺的发展和接受，而且可能为塑料零件的设计增加一个新的维度。

Gas-assisted injection molding process has been claimed by its proponents as the most important development for the injection molding process since the invention of reciprocating-screw injection molding machine. This process consists of a partial injection of polymer melt to the mold cavity followed by an injection of compressed gas which penetrates and, in principle, hollows out a network of pre-designed, thick-section gas channels until the cavity is filled. When the process is well developed and understood, it can produce many injection molded parts with light weight and high rigidity and will provide tremendous flexibility in the design of plastic parts. The analysis of the process involves flow of two drastically different materials in a geometrically complicated mold cavity. This study is aimed at establishing the scientific basis and attaining an engineering solution for characterizing this innovative process. Successful results of this research would not only expedite the development and acceptance of this process, but also may add a new dimension to the plastic part design.