Enhancing Injection Molding Processes through Taguchi Method and SolidWorks Plastics for Automotive Applications

Abstract

The research project delves into enhancing the injection molding process within the automotive industry. The objective is to refine the efficacy and efficiency of injection molding procedures for manufacturing specific interior plastic components utilizing SolidWorks Plastics and the Taguchi method. Essential elements such as project goals, parameters, and structure are meticulously considered to provide a systematic approach for achieving tangible enhancements in injection molding design. Five distinct process parameters in injection molding are chosen at various levels to minimize shrinkage in the selected component. To evaluate the Signal-to-Noise ratio, the L18 orthogonal array of Taguchi is selected based on the number of parameters and levels. The selected parameters are optimized, resulting in the following settings: the melt temperature is adjusted to 200°C, the mold temperature to 25°C, the filling time to 3 seconds, the pressure holding time to 3 seconds, and the pure cooling time to 3 seconds. Hence, the proposed methodology demonstrates that the Taguchi method is a viable approach for improving injection molding processes across diverse industries, including the automotive sector.