Injection-Moulded 2D Code Marking for Durable Cable Carrier Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for marking plastic injection moulded parts, particularly energy guiding chains, face challenges in reliability and cost-effectiveness, especially when dealing with high volumes and the need for durable, confusion-free markings that can withstand wear and are compatible with technical plastics.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a 2D code marking directly into the injection moulding process using a moulding tool configured to produce symbol elements of different surface natures, ensuring the marking is an integral part of the plastic body and machine-readable without additional steps or materials, utilizing the same plastic for both the part and the marking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional marking methods (laser inscription, dot peening, inkjet) are used on injection moulded parts, then markings can be applied to the surface, but the markings are separable without destruction and require additional working operations
Solution Approach 1:
The marking is merged with the plastic body itself by introducing marking elements directly into the injection moulding tool. The marking becomes an integral part of the plastic component during the moulding process, eliminating the need for separate marking operations and ensuring the marking cannot be separated without destroying the component.
Solution Approach 2:
The marking is prepared in advance by configuring the injection moulding tool with marking elements before the plastic is injected. The marking is formed simultaneously with the plastic body during the initial moulding process, rather than being applied afterward through separate operations.
2Loss of information
If additional marking operations are performed after injection moulding, then markings can be applied to the parts, but this increases manufacturing cost and time
Solution Approach 1:
The marking operation is merged with the injection moulding process itself. The marking elements are integrated into the moulding tool, allowing the marking to be formed simultaneously with the plastic body during a single manufacturing cycle, thereby eliminating additional time and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The marking is prepared in advance by configuring the injection moulding tool with marking elements before production begins. This preliminary configuration enables the marking to be formed automatically during the standard moulding process without requiring subsequent separate operations.
3Reliability
If laser inscription or engraving is used to mark plastic parts, then durable markings are achieved, but the surface of the component is altered and additional materials or layers are required
Solution Approach 1:
The marking elements are made from the same plastic material as the component itself, ensuring homogeneity of material composition. This eliminates the need for additional materials or layers and avoids surface alterations, as the marking and the component are essentially the same material formed in different patterns.
4Loss of information
If 2D codes are applied using conventional methods, then high information density is achieved, but the markings are not integral to the part and can be removed or damaged separately
Solution Approach 1:
The 2D code marking is merged with the plastic body by forming it simultaneously during injection moulding. The marking elements are integrated into the moulding tool, ensuring the marking becomes an inseparable part of the component structure, maintaining both high information density and marking integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
An injection-moulded plastic part for a cable carrier, particularly a side part of a chain link produced in an injection moulding process. The injection moulded part has a visible, identifiable marking on a first side, particularly the outside. The at least one marking comprises a data code marking having a 2D code for data encoding which is introduced into the plastic body directly in the injection moulding process so that said marking is provided on the first side to be machine-readable. The invention likewise relates to a corresponding injection moulding tool having a number of first symbol regions and second symbol regions for producing the data code marking in the injection moulding process.