Optimization of production conditions of thin-walled plastic parts produced for automotive industry by injection molding method

Plastics industry is one among the fast growing industries in recent few decades. Use of high strength, complex geometry, more thin-wall and less weight parts is gradually increased in industry application. Lightening is one of main goals of automotive industry for carbon emission and health of environment. In the automotive industry, many metal parts are replaced by plastics or fiber-reinforced composites. It is tried to provide the same strength while lightening is increased with the use of plastic parts. For this reason, many engineering plastics, high performance plastics and fiber reinforced composites are improved. In addition to all of these, thin-walled production and uses of these parts are increased gradually in automotive industry. In this regard, it is aimed to examine the production processes for thin-walled parts, to make improvements and to obtain optimum results. Some problems are encountered in the production of thin walled parts. These problems arise from the exposure of the material to excessive friction because of the reduced flow depth as the flow will be more difficult. Thus, more pressure will be needed along with a larger machine for filling the mold cavity. Parts will be produced with flash in order to make sure that they are completely filled. Furthermore, greater the flow length in the part (the way the material must flow), production of the it becomes more difficult.