Unlocking the Mystery of Molded Part Warpage: Causes and Cures
The most likely reason for warping of injection molded parts is uneven cooling causing various sections of the part to shrink at different rates thus creating internal stresses. Those stresses will release when the part is ejected from the mold, deforming or bending it.
According to Jeff Lewis, a factory representative and mold release expert at Slide: “The first thing to do is review the cooling temperatures from what might be a poorly designed mold. I assume that often warpage results from uneven buildup of sediment on the cooling area.”
While uneven cooling is the main culprit, several other factors also contribute to such warpage:
Non-uniform wall thickness in the part design making thicker sections cool slower than thicker sections.
Some plastics like polypropylene and polyethylene (semi-crystalline) have higher shrinkage rates and are more prone to warping than amorphous materials like polystyrene.
Processing parameters such as incorrect melt temperature, back pressure flow or an insufficient cool down cycle could also lead to warping. By controlling these factors, internal stress can be minimized but it often takes a comprehensive approach to substantially alleviate the problem.
There's no single “magic wand” for solving part warpage but recognizing and addressing these influences is likely to minimize trouble. The experts at Slide always ready to help you troubleshoot and correct these common manufacturing issues.
Lisa Kasper Retirement
Lisa Kasper, Slide’s Office Manager has announced her retirement as of October 31. She started as a two-week temp worker to cover the phones while someone was away, and she’s been an integral member of the team for the past 40 years. She met her husband, Bill, who also worked at Slide as shipping manager, as did their two sons, so that is their family genesis.
Lisa wore many hats in her career at Slide and was never afraid to jump in and take on new challenges. She looks forward to more time with her parents, gardening and traveling with her husband. The team will miss Lisa, and we hope that she enjoys her new life outside of the work force!
In order to achieve maximum consistency and precision in the demolding process, a mold release agent is often overlooked but has become a staple for successful manufacturers for 60 years. Keep production running smoothly, reduce scrap rates and extend component life by incorporating it into your procedures. Explore the world of mold release formulas and how they can streamline your process. Read more...
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