Low Temperature Educational Injection Molding Machine

• Hao Nguyen
• Dino Husnic
• Pirapat Kitipongpatana

Injection molding typically involves plastics with high melting temperatures alongside relatively high pressures. While this is effective for the molding process, it also introduces a number of risks to an unprepared user, with the most prominent being the possibility of severe burns. Therefore, this project prioritizes creating a safe injection molding machine for use in the UIC MakerSpace and potentially in secondary education. The design should be useful for both demonstrative and hands-on educational purposes. The equipment needed to fully operate the machine should be available in moderately equipped secondary education institutions. Through consultation with the project sponsor, Jonathan Komperda, the team decided to design an electronically controlled machine that injects a material at safe operating temperatures. Also, to maximize educational usage, the design will support 3D printed molds. The injection material chosen is found at common retail stores, melts at a significantly lower temperature than plastic, and sets quickly if refrigerated. The method of injection uses a linear actuator as the output which is controlled electronically by users. The method of heating uses three heat cartridges which are controlled by a PID temperature controller. The mold is clamped together by bolts and nuts which is prepared by the user before injection begins. These designs were assembled in SOLIDWORKS to determine the proper frame size. ANSYS thermal and static structural simulations were performed to determine the number and power of heat cartridges needed as well as how robust the frame needed to be. The designs were modified for manufacturing with the help of the university machinist. The final design fits on a desk, is safe to use, and is useful in demonstrating injection molding. Because the design supports 3D printed molds, it is also useful in mold design education and demonstration.