Elastomer molding seminar planned.

"Elastomer molding with emphasis on injection," an intermediate level seminar, will be held by the Univeristy of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, March 28-30 at University Outreach in Milwaukee, WI.

Basic knowledge of elastomer flow behavior and crosslinking of elastomeric materials will be assumed for attendees of this seminar. The course objective will be to emphasize injection molding, while providing an integrated perspective of the different types of elastomer molding methods.

Important mold design parameters, such as runners (hot and cold), gates, vents, cavity layout and ejection systems will be examined. A discussion of the application of the design of experiments technique to elastomer molding will be useful toward obtaining more information per experiment.

Materials discussed will include both thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) and thermosetting elastomers (TSEs). Within the TSEs, both low and high viscosity elastomers will be discussed, along with correlations between rheological tests and production processing. Both tire and non-tire applications will be described, with major emphasis on non-tire applications.

This seminar is said to be of benefit to materials and process engineers, elastomer mold designers, quality control personnel and managers responsible for these functions. It will especially benefit those who are either involved with injection molding or planning to begin injection molding of elastomers, according to course planners. Attendees are encouraged to bring drawings or parts giving problems in production for discussion by the staff.

Seminar speakers will include John G. Sommer, Elastech; Virg Johnson, Dow Corning; John Sezna, Alpha Technologies; George Lewis, Klockner Desma; John Richwine, Advanced Elastomer Systems, L.P.; and R.J. Del Vecchio, Technical Consulting Services.

Molding system considerations will be examined, including design (systematic, considerations), materials (compound preparation factors, adhesion) and molding methods (factors affecting choice, related products, fire and non-tire, mold fouling and cleaning, mold releases and troubleshooting).

A discussion of liquid silicone rubber molding will look at meter-mix-dispense methods, injection molding machines and mold design, including gates, vents, heaters and control, types of steel, demolding and ejector systems, cavity finish and clamp force.

Rheometry for injection molding will be examined, including injection molding processing issues such as mold flow, scorch, cure cycle times, cure of thick parts and cured physical properties, along with elastomer processability tests, correlating test results with production processing and production control testing for injection molding (critical tests, setting specifications for tests and test efficiency).

Injection molding of high viscosity TSEs will be discussed, including a review of the basic process (plasticize the compound, form the shape, cure the compound and remove the cured part), injection machine components (plasticizing/injection unit, tool handling/ clamping unit, hydraulic/pneumatic systems and control systems/safety systems), tooling (design parameters, hot runners/cold runners, injection compression and injection transfer) and part handling (insert handling, shuttle tables, center plate shuttles, ejection and cleaning, and automation).

Injection and blow molding of TPEs will be highlighted, including an introduction to TPEs, rheology, injection molding (process overview, equipment, mold design, part design and processing factors), and blow molding (the process, types, mold design and processing factors).

Design of experiments will also be presented, including an introduction to designed experiments, definitions and nomenclature, designed experiments for robber, factorial and screening designs, response surface designs and use of computer software.

The registration fee for attending this seminar is $1,090, which includes a notebook, program materials, break refreshments and networking lunches. Participants completing the seminar will receive 1.8 continuing education units. Further information is available from Murali Vedula [phone].