Screw Compatibility Check for Pulverized Resin Molding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional molding methods using pulverized material resin materials face issues with non-uniform particle shapes and sizes, leading to voids in molten resin, insufficient melting, and increased molding failures due to inappropriate screw configurations.

Innovation Solution

A method that measures the area of particle shapes of pulverized materials and determines a shape index to assess compatibility with screw depths, displaying inappropriate conditions and adjusting molding parameters to ensure proper mixing ratios and bulk densities for stable molding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If pulverized material with random particle shapes and sizes is used, then material reuse and cost reduction are achieved, but voids are generated in molten resin and molding quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial reuseVSAvoidmolding quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by measuring the area of pulverized material particles and calculating a shape index to determine compatibility with screw groove depth. By adjusting molding parameters based on the shape index (comparing against threshold values), the system optimizes plasticization conditions for pulverized material with random particle shapes and sizes, ensuring adequate melting while maintaining material reuse benefits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical trial-and-error methods with an automated measurement and calculation system. An imaging device captures particle images, the control unit calculates area and shape index parameters, and automatically determines screw compatibility. This substitution of mechanical judgment with automated optical measurement and computational analysis enables precise control of molding quality while using pulverized material

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If particle size of pulverized material is large relative to screw groove depth, then material handling is simplified, but plasticization is insufficient and molding failures increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial handlingVSAvoidplasticization completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by measuring actual particle areas, calculating shape indices, and using these results to determine whether the screw configuration is appropriate. The system provides feedback on plasticization completeness by comparing the shape index against threshold values, enabling adjustment of molding parameters to ensure adequate melting while maintaining ease of material handling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by measuring and evaluating particle characteristics before the molding process begins. The control unit calculates the shape index in advance and determines screw compatibility before plasticization occurs, allowing pre-adjustment of molding parameters to ensure complete plasticization while maintaining simple material handling procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 allows for rapid and accurate determination of appropriate screw configurations, enhancing molding quality, reducing failures, and stabilizing production by ensuring appropriate mixing and melting conditions.

Implementation Method 1

an imaging device is used to measure an area Ac of a particle shape Qcg of the pulverized material Qc

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImage capture and processing: Photography

Implementation Method 2

a control unit computes a pulverized material shape index Ki indicating a degree of match between the area Ac and a depth Ds of a screw groove Gs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectComputational geometry: Image Processing

Implementation Method 3

when pulverized material resin material Q including pulverized material Qc as at least a part is plasticized and injection-molded by rotating a screw 3 inserted in a heating tube 2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFrictional heating and mechanical work: Friction

Implementation Method 4

plasticized and injection-molded by rotating a screw 3 inserted in a heating tube 2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 5

injection-molded by rotating a screw 3 inserted in a heating tube 2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-driven flow: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4296031B1Method for supporting molding of pulverized material resin material
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 NISSEI PLASTIC IND CO LTD
  • EP4296031B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4296031B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4296031B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

When a pulverized material resin material Q including a pulverized material Qc as at least a part is plasticized and injection-molded by rotating a screw 3 inserted in a heating tube 2, before use of the pulverized material Qc, the area Ac of a particle shape Qcg of the pulverized material Qc in one direction is measured, a pulverized material shape index Ki indicating the relative size of the area Ac with respect to the depth Ds of a screw groove Gs is determined by computation processing and when the size of the pulverized material shape index Ki is equal to or greater than a preset setting value Ks, the screw 3 is determined to be inappropriate, and at least the result of the determination is displayed.