Researches regarding injection moulding of polymeric products in moulds with micro-profiled surfaces

Injection moulding is one of the most commonly used manufacturing processes for composite polymeric products, with high challenges. Dimensional accuracy, optimal mechanical-physical properties as well as very good aesthetic of the polymeric products are requiring a precise controlled injection moulding system. The mould precision influences the product's tolerances and the good functioning of the injection moulding system. The mould surfaces are important for aesthetic but also for filling, packing and de-moulding of the product. In this paper we present an analyse of 4 different technologies for manufacturing the micro-profiled mould surfaces of a folk motive pattern from Neamţ County Romania and few geometric figures on the direction and perpendicular on the direction of the flow, with details of 100, 250 and 500 μm with height from 10 to 100 μm: high speed milling, electrical discharge machining, laser engraving and chemical etching. The goal is to find out the applicability domain for each technology, economic and precision criteria. The experiments consisting in building the micro-profiled surfaces mould and in injection moulding a recycled re-granulated polystyrene basis polymer evidenced the cost / precision ratio for each technology and which one is better economically suited depending on the requirement.