Powdered Plastic Molding with Coolant Impact and High-Pressure Drying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing plastic parts from powdered plastic materials face challenges in achieving improved product quality and process efficiency, particularly in avoiding coolant inclusions and ensuring effective drying.

Innovation Solution

A method involving heating a mold, applying powdered plastic, impacting the formed plastic part with a coolant on the side facing away from the mold, and subsequent drying using high-pressure nozzles for uniform cooling and removal of residual coolant, with a device featuring a drying device with movable nozzles for efficient drying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the plastic part is cooled by impacting it with a coolant, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but coolant inclusions may occur in the plastic part

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidproduct quality
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful coolant inclusions are extracted and removed from the plastic part through a dedicated drying process using high-pressure nozzles, separating the cooling function from the final product

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A drying medium (air or gas) is introduced as an intermediary substance to remove residual coolant from the plastic part surface without directly contacting the coolant with the plastic, preventing inclusion formation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If residual coolant is removed from the plastic part, then the product quality is improved, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct qualityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The drying process is initiated immediately after cooling while the plastic part is still in the mold, performing the coolant removal action in advance before demolding, thereby preventing quality issues without significant time delay

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

High-pressure nozzles utilize pneumatic pressure to rapidly remove residual coolant from the plastic part surface, achieving efficient drying in a short time frame without compromising quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Temperature

If high-pressure nozzles are used to spray coolant, then the cooling uniformity is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling uniformityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The high-pressure nozzle system serves dual functions: applying coolant during cooling and removing residual coolant during drying, eliminating the need for separate systems and reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enhances product quality by minimizing coolant inclusions and facilitates faster processing, while ensuring uniform cooling and efficient drying, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the plastic part production process.

Implementation Method 1

Heating a mold with a first mold side and a second mold side opposite thereto, applying a predetermined amount of the powdered plastic material to the second mold side, melting the powdered plastic material lying on the second mold side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

impacting the plastic part or plastic parts on the side of the plastic part facing away from the mold with a coolant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal convection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

the coolant is sprayed onto the plastic part or parts by means of high-pressure nozzles arranged on a rotary frame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid spray: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 4

the plastic part or the plastic parts is/are brought into or onto a drying device for drying

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP2749388B1Method and device for producing plastic parts from a plastic material in powder form
Publication Date: 2016.06.22 SMP DEUTLAND
  • EP2749388B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2749388B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2749388B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The method involves heating a molding tool with opposite molding tool sides. A predetermined quantity of a powdery plastic material is applied on one of the molding tool sides. The applied powdery plastic material is melted. Plastic parts are subjected with coolant e.g. demineralized water, on a plastic part side facing away from the molding tool. The plastic parts formed from the molten and cooled plastic material are demolded. The plastic parts are dried by a drying device (10) after demolding of the plastic parts. An independent claim is also included for a device for producing plastic parts from a powdery plastic material.