Non-linear finite element analysis of time-varying thickness and temperature during the extrusion blow molding process
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Abstract
This paper presented the use of non-linear finite element analysis (FEA) software to simulate the extrusion blow molding process. We used MSC.MARC to evaluate the thickness and temperature variation in time during the process. The investigation was done on an axis-symmetric bottle made from high density polyethylene (HDPE). The mathematical model for HDPE used visco-elastic material. Our simulation combined both the mold closing and pressure blowing processes in one event. The FEA result compared with the measured thickness, from the processed bottles was observed. In the thickness analysis, we defined the thickness ratio (TR) of the parison and bottle; and found that, the TR was uniform for the analysis range of the initial parison thickness between 2.4 ± 0.2 mm. When the change of the parison thickness is frequently requested during the design and manufacturing processes, the constant TR can be applied; hence, reduces the analysis time. When the hardening temperature of HDPE is
known, the time variation plots of the temperature and thickness are useful for predicting the process times.
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