Prediction of wall thickness distribution in simple thermoforming moulds
Strojniski Vestnik/Journal of Mechanical Engineering, cilt.60, sa.3, ss.195-202, 2014 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 60 Sayı: 3
- Basım Tarihi: 2014
- Doi Numarası: 10.5545/sv-jme.2013.1486
- Dergi Adı: Strojniski Vestnik/Journal of Mechanical Engineering
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.195-202
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Geometric element analysis (GEA), Polypropylene, Polystyrene, Thermoforming, Wall thickness prediction
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Trakya Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Thermoforming is widely used in manufacturing industries to produce large and labour-intensive products. Compared to other manufacturing techniques, thermoforming is an extremely efficient process that is suitable for high-efficiency mass production. In this paper, experimental thermoforming operations were carried out using a lab-scale, sheet-fed thermoformer. Carbon fibre-reinforced PP and unreinforced PS thermoplastic sheets were used in experimental thermoforming operations. The processing parameters were determined for each thermoformed material. Furthermore, a simulation of the thermoforming process was performed using LS-DynaTM software. The thickness distributions obtained from the experiments were compared with the simulation results. The results show that the parameter that most affects the wall thickness distribution is the geometry of the clamping ring. To produce thermoformed products that have a more uniform thickness distribution, the clamping tool geometry must be selected according to the geometry of the product being thermoformed. © 2014 Journal of Mechanical Engineering. All rights reserved.