Simulations of post-filling process considering the cooling effect of the mold cooling systems

Simulation of the post-filling process has been developed and performed to study the compressible polymer melt flow during the packing phase and the pressure development inside the mold cavity for the entire post-filling process. A mixed finite-element/finite-difference numerical scheme is implemented to solve the non-isothermal, compressible viscous flow equations. The transient, non-isothermal mold cavity surface temperatures which depend on the mold cooling channel arrangement and coolant flow conditions are also incorporated during simulation using hybrid finite-element/shape-factor method. It has been found that the difference in the pressure profile variation during the post-filling stage is quite distinguished for cases assuming constant mold wall temperature and cases with the consideration of the cooling effect of the cooling system configuration.