The choice of injection molding equipment is one of the common tasks solved in the design of technological processes for the manufacture of products from thermoplastics. The initial data for solving this problem are information on the number and range of products produced or planned for release. A list of types (standard sizes) of injection molding machines is also determined, on the basis of which it is planned to carry out the technical equipment of production. For each product, the size of the injection molding machine is selected in such a way that it guarantees the achievement of the required product quality and ensures the best technical and economic production indicators.
However, in addition to the main parameters that determine the standard size (mold closing force, injection volume and plasticizing productivity), the specialist has to solve a number of other tasks related to casting technology, design features of the future product, economic issues, etc. Moreover, the solutions may turn out to be fundamentally different when it comes to purchasing new equipment or using the free capacities of injection molding machines already available in this production. Injection molding machines are among the most popular types of equipment for plastics processing. Therefore, it is natural that for the production of a huge range of injection molded products, engineering firms produce a very wide range of machines of various designs and purposes. This circumstance contributed to the fact that many classification features were proposed to streamline this diversity.
Classification of injection molding machines:
According to the type of polymer being processed, machines are divided into injection molding machines (for processing thermoplastic materials), injection molding machines (for processing thermosetting materials), machines for molding products from rubber compounds. The objectives of this tutorial include a description of the methodology for choosing injection molding machines.
According to the purpose, injection molding machines are divided into universal, special, laboratory and micro injection molding machines.
Universal machines are intended for the production of the widest range of products, their design provides for the convenience and speed of replacing injection molds, and the control system allows you to change the technological parameters of casting over a wide range. A diagram of one of the possible design options for a universal machine is shown in fig. 1. The main components of the injection molding machine are the plasticizing and injection unit, the mold closing unit and the drive components, including the electric control system.
Special machines are created for the production of a narrow range of products that are similar in design and, as a rule, include additional components that are not characteristic of universal machines. Often enough
these machines are intended for the production of only one type of product. In some cases, special machines are an integral part of complex automated production lines. Sometimes they are used to implement “non-standard” injection molding technologies
