Split Mold Slit Vents Plating Film Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mold designs for rubber articles with split molds face challenges in maintaining the shape and dimensions of slit vents over time, leading to insufficient filling and burr formation due to deformation and damage during repeated molding and cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the formation of slit forming parts on the parting surfaces of split molds using plating, where a plating film is applied to strengthen and maintain the shape of the slit vents, preventing deformation and damage, and allowing for precise regulation of the slit vent width and shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If slit vents are formed by machining slit forming parts on the parting surface of split molds, then the intrusion of rubber into the vent and burr formation are suppressed, but it is difficult to precisely form the slit forming part and high technique is needed, increasing production man-hour and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a shim (a simple, inexpensive component) to form the slit vent instead of directly machining complex slit forming parts on the split molds. The shim acts as a temporary, easily replaceable element that defines the slit vent geometry, avoiding the need for high-precision machining of the molds themselves. This resolves the contradiction by making slit vent formation simple and cost-effective while maintaining precision through the shim's controlled dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The shim serves as an intermediary element between the split molds to create the slit vent. Instead of directly forming the slit vent on the mold surfaces, the shim is inserted between the molds to define the gap, acting as a mediator that transfers the vent geometry from the shim to the molding cavity. This intermediary approach simplifies the manufacturing process while ensuring precise slit vent formation.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional metal molds are used with piece molds produced by casting, then the slit vent can be formed by a shim, but the parting surface of the piece mold is deformed gradually by repeated molding, making it difficult to maintain the state of the slit vent for a long term
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the slit vent formation dynamic and adjustable by using a shim that can be inserted, removed, and replaced. Instead of relying on the fixed, deforming parting surface of the mold, the shim provides a controllable element that can be repositioned or replaced to maintain the correct slit vent dimensions throughout the mold's life. This dynamic approach compensates for the gradual deformation of the mold pieces.
Solution Approach 2:
The shim is designed as a consumable or replaceable component that can be discarded when deformed or worn, and a new shim can be inserted to restore the correct slit vent geometry. This approach allows the mold itself to be preserved while the shim absorbs the wear and deformation, maintaining long-term dimensional stability of the slit vent through periodic replacement of the shim rather than the expensive mold pieces.
3Ease of operation
If a cleaning method having strong erosive property (e.g., sandblast) is used to clean the piece mold, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the slit forming part may be damaged, and thus the slit vent is changed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the slit forming function from the permanent mold structure and places it in a separate, replaceable shim. This allows the mold to be cleaned aggressively with sandblast or other erosive methods without damaging the slit forming geometry, as the shim can be removed, cleaned separately, or replaced if damaged. The critical slit vent dimensions are preserved in the shim rather than the mold surface.
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
The solution enables easy formation and maintenance of slit vents, reducing rubber intrusion and burr formation, while maintaining the slit vent's shape and dimensions over time, even with repeated use and cleaning, thus improving the quality and consistency of rubber articles.
Implementation Method 1
a plating film is applied to strengthen and maintain the shape of the slit vents
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~3D
Figure 4A~5D
AI summary
A slit forming part can be easily formed on a parting surface of a split mold and a change in a slit vent formed by the slit forming part can be suppressed. Parting surfaces (21)(22) including slit forming parts (23) are formed on the split mold (20). Plating is applied to the parting surfaces (21) (22) of the split mold (20) so as to coat the parting surfaces (21)(22) in which the slit forming part (23) is formed, with a plating film (40). A plurality of split molds (20) are combined together such that their parting surfaces (21) (22) opposed to each other, to mold a rubber article. The slit forming parts (23) of the parting surfaces (21) (22) form a slit vent (30) between the split molds (20).