Mould design and manufacturing using computer technology : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Technology at Massey University
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Date
2000
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Massey University
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Abstract
This thesis presents a research work carried out at the Institute of Technology and Engineering of Massey University. The overall goal of the project is to develop an integrated mould design and manufacturing system for teaching and research. The development involves establishing a computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing, CNC machining, and injection moulding program for Technology and Engineering undergraduate and postgraduate students. An integrated CAD/CAM/CAE and CNC system has been established through this project. Four laboratory courses together with the tutorials have been developed and established. This design and manufacturing system and the corresponding laboratory courses provide a great support for Engineering Design and Manufacturing programmes. The laboratory courses give the opportunities to the students to gain the experience from concept design, through hands-on project, to the final physical product. The research work presented went through four stages. Before this project started, the Institute of Technology and Engineering (ITE) had a stand alone CNC milling machine, a CNC lathe, an injection moulding machine, a limited number of PCs and a few CAD licenses. The first stage was to develop an integrated CAD/CAM/CAE and CNC system based on the existing facilities in ITE and the limited funding provided by the fund of innovation and excellence in teaching. The second stage was focused on product design. It was realized that a product is needed for the development of this project. This product must have the features to demonstrate the applications of computer-aided technologies in product design, analysis and manufacturing. The product must also be a plastic component in order to smoothly integrate plastic injection moulding technologies within the programme. Stage three was to build and produce the die set of the product, which involves mould design and analysis, simulation, testing, tooling, and actual CNC machining. The final stage was to develop the laboratory courses, write the tutorials and produce a demonstration program. Four lab courses and the tutorials were developed, which cover CAD, CAM, CNC, and injection moulding. These labs provide students with hands-on and practical experience. The project has been successfully completed. The demonstration program is now used for ITE's open day and other occasions such as visitors from industries, high schools and other organisations. The four lab courses are now taken by 3rd and 4th year B.Eng and B.Tech students in the Institute of Technology and Engineering.
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Keywords
Injection molding plastics, Data processing, Computer-aided design, Design and construction