How can energy consumption be forecasted in injection moulding processes?

A method to forecast the energy consumption of injection moulding processes is developed and validated via energy measurements. Furthermore, a method for an energy controlling of entire injection moulding cost centres is presented.

Why does injection moulding use a lot of energy?

Electric energy can easily be provided and allows fast production cycles. The main drivers for energy consumption in injection moulding are the injection moulding machine, the cooling system, the material dryer, and the take-out-system (e.g. robot or handling system).

How does plastic material affect energy consumption in injection moulding?

Referring to Section 2.2, energy consumption in injection moulding is significantly influenced by the plastic material used. Specific requirements like very high stability or piano lacquer optic is often attained by using a specific material. The material (or at least the material class) is – like the product weight – a parameter easy to obtain.

How do LCA models for injection moulding work?

Some LCA models for injection moulding try to allocate the energy intensity of processes based on specific energy consumption (SEC) . Information about part weight, productivity and average energy consumption in exemplary processes is needed in this case.

What is an energy label for injection moulds?

Especially with regard to injection moulds, the concept of an energy label for moulds is introduced. The approach includes a concept to establish a long-term benchmarking focusing the energy efficiency of injection moulding processes.

How do you classify injection moulding machines?

(1) E E I = E theoretical S E C × Y sup.processes × Y material × Y energy losses × Y variation to reference measurement × 100 The comparison in relation to reference measurements determines the classification respectively labelling of injection moulding machines.