Reduction of Plastic Injection Tool Tuning Iterations Using Scanning Technology

Abstract

Mann+Hummel (M+H) has implemented scanning and freeform surface analysis to reduce tool turning iterations for typical under-hood automotive plastic injection molded components. These would commonly include products like windshield washer bottles, coolant reservoirs, intake manifolds, and air filter boxes. This process has been proven to reduce the tool tuning time and cost while improving the quality of the resulting parts, making scanning now the primary metrology source for part inspection. The process has been noted to have implications for other manufacturing process and industries involved in sheet metal stamping, and metal casting as well. NOMENCLATURE M+H: Mann+Hummel USA Inc. WLS: Capture3D ATOS white-light scanner XOR3: Rapidform XOR3 Inspect: Polyworks Inspect .STL (example file extension): Polygonal model or mesh .X_T, .IGES, .STEP (example file extensions): CAD model