On the use of reduced bases in optimization of injection molding

chapter 8International audienceAbout 30% of the annual polymer production is transformed by injection molding. It is a cyclic process of forming a plastic into a desired shape by forcing the molten polymer under pressure into a hollow cavity (Agassant et al, 1991; Osswald, 1998). For thermoplastics polymers, the solidification is achieved by cooling. Typical cycle times range from 1 to 100 seconds and depend mainly on the cooling time. The complexity of molded parts is virtually unlimited, sizes may range from very small (1m), with an excellent control of tolerances