금형 내부 압력 최소화를 위한 자동차 인스트루먼트 패널의 게이트 위치 최적화

Abstract

Cavity pressure, an important factor in injection molding process, should be minimized to enhance injection molding quality. In this study, we decided the locations of valve gates to minimize the maximum cavity pressure. To solve this problem, we integrated MAPS-3D (Mold Analysis and Plastic Solution-3Dimension), a commercial injection molding analysis CAE tool, using the file parsing method of PIAnO (Process Integration, Automation and Optimization) as a commercial process integration and design optimization tool. In order to reduce the computational time for obtaining the optimal design solution, we performed an approximate optimization using a meta-model that replaced expensive computer simulations. To generate the meta-model, computer simulations were performed at the design points selected using the optimal Latin hypercube design as an experimental design. Then, we used micro genetic algorithm equipped in PIAnO to obtain the optimal design solution. Using the proposed design approach, the maximum cavity pressure was reduced by 17.3% compared to the initial one, which clearly showed the validity of the proposed design approach.