Blow Molding Mold with Integrated Liquid Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional blow molding technologies face challenges in achieving uniform and efficient temperature control during the production of balloon bodies, particularly for large-volume or complex-shaped balloons, leading to issues with mechanical strength, cycle time, and adaptability to different polymers, which limits their applicability in medical and industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a symmetrical mold design with a network-like structure for temperature control, employing liquid temperature control media and laser-cusing to create complex channels for efficient heat transfer, allowing for simultaneous and synchronous heating/cooling of all mold segments, reducing cycle time, and enabling the production of high-quality balloon components with improved mechanical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional blow molding processes are used with solid metal block molds, then the structural strength of the mold is ensured, but the heating and cooling time is excessively long due to high heat capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The mold is divided into a support structure and multiple independent mold segments. Each segment can be individually heated or cooled through integrated channels, allowing selective and simultaneous temperature control of different mold regions, thereby reducing overall heating/cooling time while maintaining structural integrity through the support framework
Solution Approach 2:
Fluid channels are integrated directly into the mold segments to deliver heating or cooling media throughout the mold structure. This hydraulic system enables rapid and uniform temperature distribution across all mold surfaces, dramatically reducing the thermal inertia problem of solid metal blocks
2Productivity
If external heating and cooling devices are used with temperature gradients, then energy flow rate is sufficient for faster processing, but temperature distribution uniformity across the mold deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different mold segments can be independently controlled with different temperature settings through the integrated fluid channels. This allows each region of the mold to be optimized for its specific forming requirements while maintaining overall temperature uniformity, enabling faster processing without sacrificing temperature distribution quality
Solution Approach 2:
The heating and cooling channels are merged into a single integrated fluid distribution system within the mold segments. This unified approach ensures balanced temperature distribution across the mold while maintaining high energy flow rates for rapid thermal response
3Manufacturing precision
If liquid temperature control media with high heat transport capacity are used, then temperature distribution homogeneity is improved, but the complexity of the temperature control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control functionality is merged directly into the mold segments through integrated fluid channels. This eliminates the need for separate external heating and cooling devices, reducing system complexity while achieving superior temperature distribution homogeneity through the high heat transport capacity of liquid media
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 enables the production of balloon bodies with enhanced mechanical strength, reduced cycle times, and increased adaptability to various polymers, facilitating efficient and cost-effective mass production of high-quality balloon components, even for complex geometries and large volumes, while maintaining cleanroom compatibility.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid, heating medium is passed through one or more cavities which is located approximately in the middle between these surfaces of the mold
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
The invention relates to a device and to a method for producing balloon-shaped or hollow bodies from a tubular blank or extrudate by blow moulding, using at least one moulding tool having at least one temperature-controllable hollow mould, within which the blank can be inflated until the desired shape is attained and is fixed in said mould by warming and subsequent cooling. The hollow mould that is used is designed as a wall having an inwardly defining surface and an outwardly defining surface. One or more hollow spaces for the circulation of a liquid medium are arranged approximately in the centre between said surfaces.