Arrow Head Cluster Injection Mold with Flow Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional arrow heads, including broadheads, small game heads, and field points, face challenges in manufacturing, packaging, and handling due to their independent nature, leading to labor-intensive counting and packaging processes, and are prone to being spilled when opened.
Innovation Solution
A cluster of arrow heads with internal or external threads, including self-tapping threads, is manufactured using an injection molding process with a cavity design featuring multiple chambers and flow channels, allowing for simultaneous production and packaging, with each arrow head retained on a break-away frame for easy engagement and separation from the cluster.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional arrow heads are manufactured and packaged as individual pieces, then each arrow head can be independently handled and packaged, but the manufacturing and packaging processes become labor intensive and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual arrow heads are merged into a single cluster assembly that is molded as one integrated unit. The cluster includes a frame with multiple cavities, each containing an arrow head, allowing them to be manufactured and packaged together rather than as separate pieces.
Solution Approach 2:
The arrow heads are pre-assembled into a cluster configuration during the molding process itself. The cluster frame is formed with cavities that hold the arrow heads in place, and break-away connections are built in during manufacturing, so that packaging and preparation work is done in advance.
2Ease of operation
If arrow heads are packaged individually, then each piece can be separately handled, but counting and packaging become labor intensive
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple arrow heads that would normally require separate handling, counting, and packaging operations are combined into a single cluster unit. This allows the entire group to be handled as one piece during packaging, eliminating the need to count and package each arrow head individually.
3Ease of operation
If arrow heads are packaged loose in a package, then they are easy to access, but they are prone to being spilled when the package is opened
Solution Approach 1:
The cluster frame is designed with segmented break-away connections that attach each arrow head to the frame. These connections are engineered to break cleanly when force is applied, allowing the user to detach arrow heads one at a time from the cluster while the rest remain securely attached to the frame, preventing spills.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional manufacturing methods are used for arrow heads, then traditional fabrication processes can be employed, but the process is laborious and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional mechanical fabrication processes such as forging, machining, and MIM for individual arrow heads are replaced with an injection molding process. The cluster frame and arrow heads are formed by injecting material into a mold cavity, eliminating the need for separate machining, threading, and assembly operations for each arrow head.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple arrow heads that would traditionally require separate manufacturing operations are combined into a single injection molding operation. The mold cavity includes multiple chambers that form multiple arrow heads simultaneously, along with the cluster frame structure, dramatically increasing manufacturing efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces manufacturing and packaging labor costs, eliminates the need for individual handling and sharpening, and ensures arrow heads are ready for use with simplified assembly and engagement with arrows, enhancing handling and usability.
Implementation Method 1
An injection molding tool is provided having a cavity designed to facilitate these unique features. The cavity has multiple chambers for multiple finished arrow heads, and the chambers are connected by flow channels and a support frame. The composite material includes metals, ceramic and plastic. High strength composite materials are forced into the mold cavity.
Data Source
AI summary
An arrow head cluster is created utilizing an injection mold. An upper cluster cavity is formed in an upper die member and a lower cluster cavity is created in a lower die member. The upper and lower cluster cavities, when joined create a cluster cavity. The cluster cavity is used to create the arrow head cluster, after molten material is injected into the injection mold. The cluster cavity includes a plurality of chambers for creating a plurality of arrow heads. The plurality of chambers are connected to each other with a plurality of flow channels and a support frame. The injected material includes metals, ceramic and plastic. The materials are injected into the cluster cavity through the plurality of flow channels. The plurality of flow channels allow the material to flow evenly through the plurality of cluster cavities.