Plastic Troubleshooter
On-Line Solutions To Injection Molding Problems
MACHINE
Insufficient Injection Pressure Or Time
Explanation: Injection pressure must be high enough to push molten material into the mold, through the runners and gates, and into the cavity image area. It should be used to force material into every part of the mold until it is packed solidly. The proper amount of pressure held for the proper amount of time ensures that all the resin molecules are the same size and are held closely together while they cool and solidify. This creates uniform shrinkage after the part is removed from the mold. But, if inadequate pressure is used or if it is applied for too short a period of time, the molecules will not be constrained during the solidification phase and the entire part will not shrink uniformly, resulting in sink marks.
Solution: Increase the amount of pressure or the time applied. Upon initial startup the mold should be filled incrementally starting with intentional short shots (if the mold design allows) and progressively increasing pressure shot-by-shot until the mold is filled and packed properly. If injection pressure and time are adequate the shrinkage should be uniform and consistent resulting in parts without sink marks.
Inadequate Cooling Time
Explanation: The cooling phase of the total molding cycle determines how long the molten material is held in a constrained condition until a strong skin is formed. After that, the part can be ejected from the mold and the next cycle can begin. If that cooling time is too short, the skin will not be of sufficient thickness and strength to hold the part together after ejection from the mold and continued cooling may cause sink marks due to inconsistent and non-uniform shrinkage.
Solution: Increase the cooling time portion of the cycle. It is true that longer cycles make the part more expensive but there is a minimum amount of time required for the resin to form a proper skin. It depends on what material is being molded. A general rule-of-thumb for a part with a wall thickness of 0.100'', the cooling time should be 20 seconds. The overall cycle would then be 25-30 seconds.
MOLD
Small Gates And/Or Runners
Explanation: Gates and/or runners that are too small will cause excessive restriction to the flow of the molten plastic. Many plastics will then begin to solidify before they fill the cavity. The result is a material that is not fully contained within the metal mold surfaces and is allowed to shrink beyond normal expectations. The extended shrinkage causes sink marks.
Solution: Examine the gates and runners to optimize their size and shape. Do not overlook the sprue bushing as a long sprue may solidify too soon. Use a heated bushing or extended nozzle to minimize sprue length. Ask the material supplier for data concerning gate and runner dimensioning for a specific material and flow rate.
Excessive Thickness At Mating Walls
Explanation: When a wall meets another wall, or when a boss is located on a wall, the area where they form a junction becomes a larger mass of plastic than the area surrounding it. The surrounding area cools and is already solidified while the larger mass continues to cool and shrink. Because the surrounding area is solid, non-uniform shrinkage occurs as the large mass area shrinks in on itself, causing sink marks to appear.
Solution: Although it is good design practice to maintain all walls at a uniform thickness, in areas where a junction is formed, one of the walls should be between 60% and 70% of the mating wall thickness. This will minimize the mass at the junction until the shrinkage is equal in all areas and sink marks will not develop.
MATERIAL
Improper Flow Rate
Explanation: Resin manufacturers supply specific formulations in a range of standard flow rates. Thin-walled products may require an easy flow material while thick-walled products can use a material that is stiffer. It is better to use as stiff a flow as possible because that improves physical properties of the molded part. But the stiff material will be more difficult to push and this may result in a less dense material filling the cavity image. The lower this density, the higher the amount of shrinkage that will occur after ejection, and sink marks may occur due to an imbalance of shrinkage factors.
Solution: Utilize a material that has the stiffest flow possible without causing sink marks. Contact the material supplier for help in deciding which flow rate should be used for a specific application.
OPERATOR
Inconsistent Process Cycle
Explanation: The machine operator may be opening the gate too soon, thereby effectively shortening the overall cycle time. This would cause the part to be ejected before the skin has formed properly and the resultant excessive shrinkage may cause sink marks to form.
Solution: If possible, run the machine on the automatic cycle, using the operator only to interrupt the cycle if an emergency occurs. Use a robot if an ``operator'' is necessary. In addition, instruct all employees on the importance of maintaining consistent cycles.
Insufficient Injection Pressure Or Time
Explanation: Injection pressure must be high enough to push molten material into the mold, through the runners and gates, and into the cavity image area. It should be used to force material into every part of the mold until it is packed solidly. The proper amount of pressure held for the proper amount of time ensures that all the resin molecules are the same size and are held closely together while they cool and solidify. This creates uniform shrinkage after the part is removed from the mold. But, if inadequate pressure is used or if it is applied for too short a period of time, the molecules will not be constrained during the solidification phase and the entire part will not shrink uniformly, resulting in sink marks.
Solution: Increase the amount of pressure or the time applied. Upon initial startup the mold should be filled incrementally starting with intentional short shots (if the mold design allows) and progressively increasing pressure shot-by-shot until the mold is filled and packed properly. If injection pressure and time are adequate the shrinkage should be uniform and consistent resulting in parts without sink marks.
Inadequate Cooling Time
Explanation: The cooling phase of the total molding cycle determines how long the molten material is held in a constrained condition until a strong skin is formed. After that, the part can be ejected from the mold and the next cycle can begin. If that cooling time is too short, the skin will not be of sufficient thickness and strength to hold the part together after ejection from the mold and continued cooling may cause sink marks due to inconsistent and non-uniform shrinkage.
Solution: Increase the cooling time portion of the cycle. It is true that longer cycles make the part more expensive but there is a minimum amount of time required for the resin to form a proper skin. It depends on what material is being molded. A general rule-of-thumb for a part with a wall thickness of 0.100'', the cooling time should be 20 seconds. The overall cycle would then be 25-30 seconds.
MOLD
Small Gates And/Or Runners
Explanation: Gates and/or runners that are too small will cause excessive restriction to the flow of the molten plastic. Many plastics will then begin to solidify before they fill the cavity. The result is a material that is not fully contained within the metal mold surfaces and is allowed to shrink beyond normal expectations. The extended shrinkage causes sink marks.
Solution: Examine the gates and runners to optimize their size and shape. Do not overlook the sprue bushing as a long sprue may solidify too soon. Use a heated bushing or extended nozzle to minimize sprue length. Ask the material supplier for data concerning gate and runner dimensioning for a specific material and flow rate.
Excessive Thickness At Mating Walls
Explanation: When a wall meets another wall, or when a boss is located on a wall, the area where they form a junction becomes a larger mass of plastic than the area surrounding it. The surrounding area cools and is already solidified while the larger mass continues to cool and shrink. Because the surrounding area is solid, non-uniform shrinkage occurs as the large mass area shrinks in on itself, causing sink marks to appear.
Solution: Although it is good design practice to maintain all walls at a uniform thickness, in areas where a junction is formed, one of the walls should be between 60% and 70% of the mating wall thickness. This will minimize the mass at the junction until the shrinkage is equal in all areas and sink marks will not develop.
MATERIAL
Improper Flow Rate
Explanation: Resin manufacturers supply specific formulations in a range of standard flow rates. Thin-walled products may require an easy flow material while thick-walled products can use a material that is stiffer. It is better to use as stiff a flow as possible because that improves physical properties of the molded part. But the stiff material will be more difficult to push and this may result in a less dense material filling the cavity image. The lower this density, the higher the amount of shrinkage that will occur after ejection, and sink marks may occur due to an imbalance of shrinkage factors.
Solution: Utilize a material that has the stiffest flow possible without causing sink marks. Contact the material supplier for help in deciding which flow rate should be used for a specific application.
OPERATOR
Inconsistent Process Cycle
Explanation: The machine operator may be opening the gate too soon, thereby effectively shortening the overall cycle time. This would cause the part to be ejected before the skin has formed properly and the resultant excessive shrinkage may cause sink marks to form.
Solution: If possible, run the machine on the automatic cycle, using the operator only to interrupt the cycle if an emergency occurs. Use a robot if an ``operator'' is necessary. In addition, instruct all employees on the importance of maintaining consistent cycles.
SINK MARKS
A Sink Mark can be defined as a depression, resembling a dimple or groove, caused by excessive localized shrinking of the material after the part has cooled.
Some common causes and solutions are listed below.
Copyright by IPLAS and Douglas M. Bryce
Worldwide Rights Reserved
Worldwide Rights Reserved
NOTE: For more detailed information on the causes and solutions of this defect, you can find it in our BOOK, or ONLINE SEMINAR.
