Minimization of Warpage in Injection-molded Parts By Optimal Design of U-type Ribs

In this research, the layout and geometry of U-type ribs in the part, including significant process conditions, are automatically optimized to reduce pan warpage with robustness in consideration. The optimization procedure are based on an iterative redesign methodology integrated with computer aided injection molding simulation, Taguchi's Design of Experiment(DOE), and a direct search-based optimization method. The robustness of a design alternative is efficiently measured by introducing composite noise factor and Taguchi's signal-to-noise ratio. As a solution search methodology, the modified design space reduction method based on orthogonal arrays is employed to exploit an optimal robust design alternative. To illustrate the proposed methodology, a case study is performed on simulation results, where an optimal robust design alternative is obtained with a moderate number of iterations.