Effects of process parameters on surface gloss in Rapid Heat Cycle Molding process

Rapid Heat Cycle Molding is a novel injection molding, which may improve product surface quality effectively. In this paper, one-factor experimental design and Taguchi method were used and the influence of different process parameters (mold heating temperature, melt temperature, injection rate, injection pressure, and packing pressure) on surface gloss of injection product was studied. The results showed that temperature is the significant factor to the surface gloss. Mold heating temperature is principal factor in mold process parameters, while the melt temperature is the secondary factor and injection pressure is the least. The surface gloss increases with increasing mold heating temperature, melt temperature, injection rate through whole processing, while it increases to top then decreases with increasing injecting and packing pressure.