Automatic Design of Cooling Channels for Block Laminated Molds: A Resolution Study

This study discusses a method for the automatic design of injection-mold cooling channels using genetic algorithms (GA), the finite element method (FEM), and an evaluation function based on unsteady state heat tr ansfer and linear static deformation. The uniformity of coolin g and the deformation effect of the automatically designed co oling channel in the injection mold were examined through case studies based on numerical analysis. The genetic algorithm was applied in the following steps: generation of finite elements of in dividuals expressing different cooling channel shapes, the de finition of the fitness function to evaluate individuals, the genet ic operation for individuals, and modification to the automatically generated cooling channel shape. Finally, the automatically ge nerated shape of the cooling channel is discussed and compared with manually designed cooling channels.