Mold Steel Selection: Mold Design

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Lesson 6: Mold Steel Selection

Injection molds are designed and built to allow parts to be produced from various polymers and to be utilized for a variety of applications. A mold design team must possess the ability to evaluate and determine the optimal mold steel for each mold component to effectively produce high quality plastic parts.

Topics in this lesson include: the most common mold steel materials and what attributes they should possess; the best mold steel options for different polymer materials, injection pressures, and production cycles; temperature distribution behavior for molds with different mold steels and mold components.

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Learn the basics of mold design and how various design elements impact a molded part. Build your Circle of Knowledge lesson by lesson.

Goals of Mold Design: Cooling (Level 1):

Learn why the cooling phase of a molding cycle is the logical phase to optimize
Gain an understanding of the various types of cooling options to remove heat from a mold
Analyze real-life simulations and learn to determine optimal outcomes

Section Description:

Injection molding is a process of heat exchange – the heat that goes into a mold must also be removed. Understanding the thermal behavior of polymers and the pathway of heat inside a mold is important for designing and processing a successful molding project.

This section covers explanations, simulations, cause-and-effect analyses, and the uses of various design features. Understanding these design features is important because they influence a part’s moldability, function, appearance, and quality.

Recommendation: Entry-Level Operators, Technicians, & Designers

Length: Lessons are approximately 15-20 minutes long each

The Kruse Training platform delivers knowledge and expertise developed over three decades in plastic injection molding. Now, companies and individuals can access a state-of-the-art online training program suited for all levels of expertise.