A Study on Improvement of 100 Tons Toggle Injection Molding Machine’s Weight Using Numerical Analysis

Abstract Nowadays, three-dimensional computer added design(3D CAD) tool are widely and actively used for design of mechanical machine. Because using the tool is more effective to understand design concept and to collaborate with other operation than using two-dimensional design tool. In this study, the 3D CAD tool which is called I-DEAS was applied for three-dimensional modeling of main parts and assembling of modeled parts for identification the entire shape of a injection molding machine. In addition, a study was also performed regarding reduction for the weight of main plates for saving production cost and energy in the machine. A finite element method(FEM) program in I-DEAS tool was used for the improvement study. First, the current main plates were structural analysed and then the plate deformations, weak regions and stress distributions were graped. By the FEM results, the 2nd improved designing of the plates was conducted such as reinforcement or slimming of the plate wall thickness. The 2nd structural FEM was performed for verification of the redesigned plates and then the FEM results were compared with the 1st FEM’s result. The weight of the main plates were averagely reduced approximately 3- 7%. By these results, it was seemed that the improved plates have