Page 56 - Plastics News Issue November - 2024
P. 56
TECHNOLOGY NEWS
How Mold Temperature Works more time to “accommodate” against the mold
wall, instead of instantly freezing. So molecules
A lower mold temperature will consistently im- will have time to relax before solidifying. Impact
prove heat transfer and therefore lower molding resistance and chemical resistance will therefore
time. It will also lead to a faster solidification of be improved.
the part outer layer, and this thicker, more rigid
skin may resist better the inner shrinkage, re- Always check the recommended mold and melt
sponsible for sink marks. temperatures advised by your material supplier,
to ensure performance within specifications and
A higher mold temperature, on the other side, to avoid risk of part or screw failure.
will improve part gloss and smoothen weld lines.
Interestingly, it will also reduce residual stresses. Source – Plastics Engineering
As the polymer flows inside the mold, it will have
Digital Twin in
Manufacturing and Beyond
Michigan. He defined it as the digital equivalent
of a physical product, aimed at improving prod-
uct lifecycle management (PLM). Prior to this, a
similar concept called “product avatar” was in-
troduced in 2006 but was later replaced by Digi-
tal Twin terminology.
Advances in Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs), such as CAD, IoT, big data,
A AI, cloud computing, and 5G, have fueled the rise
digital twin includes real-time data and
continuous feedback from the physi-
of Digital Twins. These technologies enable the
cal world. Simulation is typically a static
or hypothetical model used for scenario-based seamless connection between physical objects
and their digital counterparts, allowing for real-
analysis. time data exchange and advanced simulations.
The concept emerged from NASA’s Apollo Digital Twin Definition
space program in the 1960s, where engineers
created two identical space vehicles—one on A Digital Twin is a digital replica or virtual model of
Earth and one in space. This “twin” concept al- a physical object, system, or process that allows
lowed real-time simulation and troubleshooting. to simulate, analyze, and optimize the perfor-
The formal term “Digital Twin” was introduced mance of its real-world counterpart in real-time.
by Michael Grieves in 2003 at the University of Through this digital representation, industries
can monitor conditions, predict outcomes, and
56 PLASTICS NEWS November 2024
