Blow Molding Tool Exchangeable Inserts Sealing Edge
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and high investment costs of existing blow molding tools for producing thermoplastic fuel tanks, particularly those with complex designs, necessitate a simpler construction to reduce costs and improve efficiency in production.
Innovation Solution
A blow molding tool with a clamping frame, moveable blow mold halves, and exchangeable tool holders that form a peripheral sealing edge, allowing for simpler tool design and reduced costs by sealing the cavity through the tool holders rather than the tool itself, enabling easier conversion and use of standardized, inexpensive mold inserts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional blow molding tools with complex designs are used to produce thermoplastic fuel tanks, then the tools can form complex three-dimensional seams and internal components, but the investment costs and device complexity are considerable
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is divided into a permanent clamping frame and exchangeable mold inserts. The mold inserts contain the cavity formations and are replaceable, while the clamping frame provides the structural framework. This segmentation allows the complex cavity formation to be achieved through relatively simple, exchangeable inserts rather than a completely complex tool structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping frame is designed as a universal component that can accommodate different mold inserts for various fuel tank designs. The standardized interface and sealing mechanism allow the same clamping frame to produce different articles by simply changing the mold inserts, reducing the need for multiple complex tools.
2Productivity
If exchangeable mold inserts are used with standardized tool holders, then production costs and lead times are reduced, but the sealing complexity must be managed
Solution Approach 1:
The tool holders are pre-formed with integrated sealing edges and standardized interfaces. The sealing functionality is built into the tool holder design beforehand, so when mold inserts are exchanged, the sealing capability is automatically provided without requiring additional setup or complex sealing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The mold inserts and tool holders are designed with self-sealing capabilities through their geometric shapes and material properties. The sealing edges automatically engage and seal when the mold is closed, without requiring separate sealing components or complex sealing mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If three-part tools with central frames are used for Twin Sheet Blow Molding, then complex three-dimensional fuel tank seams can be formed, but the investment costs are considerable
Solution Approach 1:
The complex seam formation capability is segmented into the mold insert design rather than requiring a complex central frame structure. The mold inserts are designed with specific cavity geometries that guide the material flow and seam formation, achieving complex three-dimensional seams through the insert geometry rather than through complex tooling mechanics.
Data Source
AI summary
A blow molding tool (1) for producing a plastic article, in particular a fuel tank, comprising at least one clamping frame (2) with mold clamping devices (3) and at least two blow mold halves, which are formed such that they can be moved together and apart by means of an opening and closing movement of the clamping frame (2) and which respectively have at least one cavity (8) for the forming of the plastic article, the blow molding tool (1) being distinguished by the fact that the mold clamping devices (3) respectively have at least one tool holder (6), in which a mold insert (7) is in each case exchangeably inserted, and in that the tool holders (6) respectively form a peripheral sealing edge (10).