Thermomechanical optimization of an innovative low inertia mold with rectangular heating channels

International audienceIn order to be able to meet industries expectations, especially aeronautical and automotive industries, in terms of production rate, aspect and structural quality for high performance composite injected parts, it is necessary to produce reactive and thermally efficient molds. The objective of this study is to lead a thermomechanical optimization on an innovative low thermal inertia mold with rectangular heating channels. The optimized structure is compared with a reference : a massive conventional mold with circular heating channels. The finite elements model setting up for this study take into account technological constraints related to pressure drop and the use of a pump for fluid circulation. Obtained results highlight the importance of taking into account these technological constraints in the mold design. Thus, according to the choosen heating technology, water or oil heating, the optimized model of the low thermal inertia mold and with rectangular heating channels allows a reduction of the heating time by a factor of 2 for water heating and by a factor of 8.5 for oil heating