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Microthermoforming Integrated in the Injection Molding Process for Fabrication of Film-Based Microstructured Parts

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Published/Copyright: June 24, 2015
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International Polymer Processing
From the journal International Polymer Processing Volume 30 Issue 3

Abstract

Thermoplastic micro parts are commonly manufactured by the large-scale production technology of micro injection molding, with small wall thicknesses limiting the feasible flow length. In contrast, microthermoforming is an inexpensive technology to manufacture thin-walled microstructured parts, but connecting three-dimensional solid bodies, e.g. functional structures, is impossible. The novel combination of processing techniques, i.e. microthermoforming integrated in the injection molding process with dynamic mold temperature control enables the use of non-adhesive polymer melt to form thermoplastic films via back molding and employ adhesive melt to connect further structures. Additional heating the film with the back molding component represents a particular benefit in terms of reaching the required film temperature and leads to low temperatures prevailing in the mold. Simulative tools facilitate the understanding of film temperatures after back molding and can be used in a further step for the adaption of homogenous temperature distributions across areally distributed microstructures. Generally speaking, the technology is expected to allow for multifunctional, thin-walled microstructured parts produced in short cycle times.

* Mail address: Ariane Jungmeier, Institute of Polymer Technology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Am Weichselgarten 9, 91058 Erlangen-Tennenlohe, Germany, E-mail:

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Received: 2014-12-09
Accepted: 2015-03-01
Published Online: 2015-06-24
Published in Print: 2015-07-30

© 2015, Carl Hanser Verlag, Munich

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  1. Contents
  2. Contents
  3. Regular Contributed Articles
  4. Anti-Aging Performance of Cardanol Grafted onto Polypropylene by Reactive Extrusion
  5. Co-Extrusion Layer Multiplication of Rheologically Mismatched Polymers: A Novel Processing Route
  6. Synthesis and Characterization of Acrylated Epoxidized Flaxseed Oil for Biopolymeric Applications
  7. Processing of Soju Industrial Bioresidue to Extract Microcrystalline Cellulose and Characterization
  8. Competition between α and β Crystallization in Isotactic Polypropylene: Effect of Nucleating Agents Composition
  9. Thermal and Flexural Properties and Water Absorption of Caulis Spatholobi Residue Fiber Reinforced Biodegradable Poly(propylene carbonate) Composites
  10. The Mechanical Properties of Plasticized PVC Processed in an Extruder with a Modified Feed Zone
  11. Prediction and Validation of Short Fiber Orientation in a Complex Injection Molded Part with Chunky Geometry
  12. Microthermoforming Integrated in the Injection Molding Process for Fabrication of Film-Based Microstructured Parts
  13. Modification Induced in Light Diffusing Polycarbonate due to Proton Irradiation
  14. Surface Quenching Induced Microstructure Transformations in Extrusion Foaming of Porous Sheets
  15. Repercussion of Cenosphere Filler Size on Mechanical and Dry Sliding Wear Peculiarity of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polyester Composites Using Taguchi Analysis and Neural Network
  16. Rapid Communications
  17. PPy Doped with DBSA and Combined with PSS to Improve Processability and Control the Morphology
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https://doi.org/10.3139/217.3055

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Contents
  2. Contents
  3. Regular Contributed Articles
  4. Anti-Aging Performance of Cardanol Grafted onto Polypropylene by Reactive Extrusion
  5. Co-Extrusion Layer Multiplication of Rheologically Mismatched Polymers: A Novel Processing Route
  6. Synthesis and Characterization of Acrylated Epoxidized Flaxseed Oil for Biopolymeric Applications
  7. Processing of Soju Industrial Bioresidue to Extract Microcrystalline Cellulose and Characterization
  8. Competition between α and β Crystallization in Isotactic Polypropylene: Effect of Nucleating Agents Composition
  9. Thermal and Flexural Properties and Water Absorption of Caulis Spatholobi Residue Fiber Reinforced Biodegradable Poly(propylene carbonate) Composites
  10. The Mechanical Properties of Plasticized PVC Processed in an Extruder with a Modified Feed Zone
  11. Prediction and Validation of Short Fiber Orientation in a Complex Injection Molded Part with Chunky Geometry
  12. Microthermoforming Integrated in the Injection Molding Process for Fabrication of Film-Based Microstructured Parts
  13. Modification Induced in Light Diffusing Polycarbonate due to Proton Irradiation
  14. Surface Quenching Induced Microstructure Transformations in Extrusion Foaming of Porous Sheets
  15. Repercussion of Cenosphere Filler Size on Mechanical and Dry Sliding Wear Peculiarity of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polyester Composites Using Taguchi Analysis and Neural Network
  16. Rapid Communications
  17. PPy Doped with DBSA and Combined with PSS to Improve Processability and Control the Morphology
  18. PPS News
  19. PPS News
  20. Seikei Kakou Abstracts
  21. Seikei Kakou Abstracts
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