clamping force

During an #injection #molding process, #clamping #force is required to keep the #mold closed.

But what is a required #clamping #force for a given #mold?

This is the challenging question for a project #manager or mold #designer, especially when it comes at the point of choosing the right size of #injection #molding machine.

The rule of thumb is the lowered #clamp #force the lower the #machine-hourly rate hence lower part #costs.

There are a few ways to estimate the value of required #clamping #force.

1.

Experience and comparison with similar #components

2.

Calculation by using rule of thumb: #force equals #cavity #pressure times projected area.

It should be noted, that the projected area can be the same with different geometries.

But #filling #pressure can vary depending on the geometry - see picture.

This influence the required #clamping #force.

3.

#Simulation

#Simulation is the best way because it takes into acount:

- Viscosity of the material

- #Part design – wall thickness and complexity of part design

- #Mold #design – #flow #length, how to fill the #mold, #feeding #system (hot/cold), part orientation, #air #vent and #slider

- Processing conditions - #filling #time, #melt and #mold #temperature, V/P switch and packing pressure