Dynamic Modeling of Thermal Processes in Rotational Molding

Volume 3 ◽  
2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kalyanjit Ghosh ◽  
Srinivas Garimella

Transient heat transfer phenomena in the rotational molding of plastic parts are modeled in this study. Natural convection and radiation from the furnace and flue gases to the mold housing are analyzed. Other models include transient heat transfer through the mold, single-phase conduction through the particulate plastic material prior to phase change, melting of the plastic, and heating of the liquid pool. Subsequent staged cooling and solidification of the mold and plastic using a combination of free and forced convection and radiation is also modeled. Information about the properties of the plastic in powder, liquid and solid forms is obtained from the literature. Assumptions about the behavior of the plastic powder and the molten plastic during the rotational operations are also made in accordance with the available literature. The mold wall, melt and solidified plastic regions are divided into a number of finite segments to track the temperature variation with time during the molding process. The corresponding variations in masses and thicknesses of the melt and solidified plastic regions are also estimated. Consequently, the energy consumption rates in the process are estimated. The model is applied to a specific molding process in a commercial rotational molding plant. Parametric studies of the effect of heating and cooling durations on the plastic temperatures and the energy consumption rates are also conducted. These analyses provide insights about opportunities for optimization of the heating and cooling schedules to reduce overall energy consumption and also improve throughput.

2016 ◽  
Vol 699 ◽  
pp. 97-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurenţiu Slătineanu ◽  
Oana Dodun ◽  
Margareta Coteaţă ◽  
Gheorghe Nagîţ ◽  
Irina Beşliu

Rotational molding is a manufacturing method which supposes the rotation of the mold, during the solidification of the liquid phase material, so that finally a part having a hollow could be obtained. The method could be applied in manufacturing of metallic and nonmetallic parts. Usually, the equipment for rotational molding ensures slow speed rotating of the mold around two axes placed perpendicularly each other and this fact led to relatively complex equipment for achieving rotational molding. The capacity of the liquid material to entirely cover the internal walls of the mold depends essentially on the liquid material viscosity, on the rotation speed and on the movements applied to the mold. Simplified equipment including a single rotation movement could be materialized. In order to test such a solution, a preliminary experiment was designed and materialized, by using a device adapted on universal lathe. Thus, the objective of the research presented in the paper was to study if it is possible to achieve plastic parts made by rotational molding using a single rotation movement. A polyurethane resin obtained from two liquid components was used in order to obtain the liquid material that could be introduced in the mold. The research results proved the possibility to use simplified equipment for achieving a rotational molding process, at least in certain cases and with some technological limits.


2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 481-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Löhner ◽  
Dietmar Drummer

Abstract The major disadvantage of rotational molding is the cycle time, which is very long compared to other plastic processing methods. A major percentage of the cycle time besides heating and cooling results from the time necessary to remove gas inclusions from the polymer melt, which are trapped while sintering the polymer powder. In this work the formation of gas inclusions is investigated by conducting a cycle time variation on a uniaxial rotational molding machine. The influence of low pressure during melting on the formation of inclusions is investigated by examining sintering experiments with a pressure variation during the melting of the polymer. Sintering experiments are conducted with different melt residence times to investigate the mechanisms of gas inclusion removal. By comparing the time to reach a pore-free polymeric melt, the cycle time reduction potential under low-pressure application while melting the polymeric powder is estimated.


2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Sobotka ◽  
E. Perot ◽  
A. Maazouz ◽  
D. Delaunay

Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2941 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachana Vidhi

Energy consumption for heating and cooling constitute the majority of the energy use for building loads. Using passive cooling systems to reduce the energy consumption or to make the process more efficient can be very beneficial. Ground coupled heat exchangers and night sky radiative cooling systems have been used for centuries to achieve cooling and ice making. Ground coupled heat exchangers use the temperature difference between underground soil and ambient air or water for heat transfer between the soil and the fluid passing through buried pipes. Night sky radiative cooling takes advantage of the night sky as the coldest heat sink available for heat transfer with any surface. Use of these simple designs with the modern cooling/heating systems has the potential for a major impact on the heating and cooling needs. This review paper describes the various designs, configurations and applications of these systems as well as determining the parameters that impact their performance.


2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Jae-Seok Yoo ◽  
Mr. Byung-Hun Kim ◽  
Dr. Young-Soon Jang ◽  
Dr. Yeong-Moo Yi

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