Replicating capability investigation of micro features in injection moulding process

Achieving high quality parts is a crucial task for the micro injection moulding process due to the sensitive nature of applications as medical and aerospace. In this work, simulation and an experimental study are performed to analyse the effect of four main parameters (injection speed, melt and mould temperature, and holding pressure) on replicating capability of a micro feature by injection moulding process that is the main focus of the present paper. This work also assesses the performance of a screwless-two plungers micro moulding machine in processing polyoximethilene (POM) and liquid crystal polymers (LCP). Results show that mould temperature and injection speed are the most effective parameters on replicating capability respectively for POM and LCP and high parameters setting improved the dimensions of the feature and thus the quality. For LCP, achieving process reproducibility is more difficult than for PQM even if the obtained replication fidelity is considerably higher. (C) 2017 The Society of Manufacturing Engineers. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.