Automated Mold Heating System Using High Frequency Induction with Feedback Temperature Control

Abstract

Abstract High frequency induction heating is an efficient means of rapidly heating a mold surface by means of electromagnetic induction. It was recently applied to the rapid heating of injection molds for a range of purposes. To implement high frequency induction for rapid mold heating, the heating conditions have to be set appropriately to obtain the desired range of mold temperatures. In the present study, a rapid mold heating system is developed. It consists of a high frequency power supply, induction coils, a robot system, temperature sensors and controllers. The mold surface temperature is measured using the temperature sensors, and this data is then fed back to the controller so as to control the heating time. This fully automated induction heating system with feedback temperature control is then implemented for the injection molding of a transparent part with multiple holes, resulting in great improvement in the surface appearance as well as the optical properties of the molded part.