IT 110 - Mold Design

Plastics Injection Molding Certificate Program
Industrial Technology

The course will cover the fundamentals of injection mold design and give the student and understanding of mold design and function. Topics include: shrinkage allowances, gate locations, cooling, runner balancing, stripper plates slide molds, two and three plate designs as well as molding machine considerations. Over the semester, the students will have the experience of collaborating to develop a complete mold design from scratch. Hands-on examination of parts, molds, and drawings are featured as well as CAD demos and a plant tour.

150 lecture minutes per week for 15 weeks
3 credit hours

To be selected by instructor

Mark Sporysz, August 2003

1. To explain the mold manufacturing process.
2. To identify classifications of molds, the considerations necessary for design, and the function of design components.
3. To recognize properties of categories of materials for processing implications such as flow and treatment.
4. To interpret process specifications of materials.
5. To discuss recent technical developments in plastics.

1. To listen and speak effectively.
2. To write correctly and effectively.
3. To apply appropriate mathematical procedures and quantitative methods.
4. To identify and logically analyze problems and issues and propose and evaluate solutions.

1. To interpret a mold drawing.
2. To apply proper part shrinkage based on material considerations.
3. To conduct a design review.
4. To hand sketch a simple cavity layout.
5. To find necessary information to suit the application.
6. To observe technology in a current manufacturing environment on a tour.

30% - homework and project
30% - mid-term exam
30% - final exams
10% - student participation

J. Learning Resource Center:

Use of internet and/or library assignments.

Weekly Information Presented:

1. Introduction, overview of general process; mold terminology, machine injection molding video.
2. Product design and materials, mold shrinkage; product design, draft, review a part and drawing (find information on materials home work).
3. Standard mold definitions, examine mold parts; mold components, examine components.
4. Basic two plate mold, basic mold design; review a mold design, CAD demo.
5. Gate locations; gates and runners, physical examples.
6. Mold cooling; ejection methods.
7. Exam
8. Plant tour and plant tour report (home work).
9. Manufacturing methods; video.
10. Venting, handling and in the press; design review and bill of materials.
11. Three plate mold designs, stripper plate molds; slide molds and others, examine mold part.
12. Runner balancing, multi-cavity tools; hot runner molds, cost estimating.
13. Tooling calculations; machine requirements (practice problems home work).
14. Review of final projects, cost estimating; design review and discussion.
15. Exam