Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | InnUK/102179/01 | |
| Title | Development of a new polymer leak free ultrasonic flow enhancement in injection moulding that can provide a 20% reduction in cycle time, 60% longer flow paths, 10% savings in material - Ultramelt | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Not Energy Related 80%; Energy Efficiency(Industry) 20%; |
|
| Research Types | Applied Research and Development 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Physics) 75%; PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Metallurgy and Materials) 25%; |
|
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Project Contact No email address given The Technology Research Centre Limited |
|
| Award Type | Collaborative Research & Development | |
| Funding Source | Innovate-UK | |
| Start Date | 01 May 2015 | |
| End Date | 31 December 2016 | |
| Duration | 20 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £479,775 | |
| Industrial Sectors | ||
| Region | London | |
| Programme | Competition Call: 1406_CRD2_HVM_NMMP - Mechanical conversion manufacturing processes - CRD. Activity Mechanical conversion manufacturing processes (CD&D) | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , The Technology Research Centre Limited (32.892%) |
| Other Investigator | Project Contact , Mechanical Engineering, Loughborough University (41.517%) Project Contact , Luxus Limited (11.381%) Project Contact , Polybridge Training Limited (3.899%) Project Contact , Barkley Plastics (4.376%) Project Contact , Ultrasonic Cleaning Systems Limited (t/a Hilsonic) (5.935%) |
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| Web Site | ||
| Objectives | ||
| Abstract | The UK and EU polymer processing industry continues to contract, with companies struggling to maintain market share against competition from low cost economies. Whilst energy cost reductions would be welcomed, cycle time and component thickness are key drivers of financial performance, with parts costed as a function of cycle time & machine hourly rate. The Ultramelt system will apply ultrasonic energy into the molten polymer just before it enters the cavity. This can yield as much as 60% temporary reduction in melt viscosity, enabling a significant reduction in melt temperature, saving both heating & cooling energy. The benefits of this are numerous. Melt temperatures could be maintained and the lower viscosity used to enable easier filling of existing parts or design of thinner-walled parts with corresponding reductions in cooling times. Alternatively, the melt temperature could be reduced significantly, while still being able to fill the same mould (due to the reduced viscosity). This technology could enable UK moulders to increase productivity and competitiveness, regain market share and capitalise on new business opportunities.The UK and EU polymer processing industry continues to contract, with companies struggling to maintain market share against competition from low cost economies. Whilst energy cost reductions would be welcomed, cycle time and component thickness are key drivers of financial performance, with parts costed as a function of cycle time & machine hourly rate. The Ultramelt system will apply ultrasonic energy into the molten polymer just before it enters the cavity. This can yield as much as 60% temporary reduction in melt viscosity, enabling a significant reduction in melt temperature, saving both heating & cooling energy. The benefits of this are numerous. Melt temperatures could be maintained and the lower viscosity used to enable easier filling of existing parts or design of thinner-walled parts with corresponding reductions in cooling times. Alternatively, the melt temperature could be reduced significantly, while still being able to fill the same mould (due to the reduced viscosity). This technology could enable UK moulders to increase productivity and competitiveness, regain market share and capitalise on new business opportunities.The UK and EU polymer processing industry continues to contract, with companies struggling to maintain market share against competition from low cost economies. Whilst energy cost reductions would be welcomed, cycle time and component thickness are key drivers of financial performance, with parts costed as a function of cycle time & machine hourly rate. The Ultramelt system will apply ultrasonic energy into the molten polymer just before it enters the cavity. This can yield as much as 60% temporary reduction in melt viscosity, enabling a significant reduction in melt temperature, saving both heating & cooling energy. The benefits of this are numerous. Melt temperatures could be maintained and the lower viscosity used to enable easier filling of existing parts or design of thinner-walled parts with corresponding reductions in cooling times. Alternatively, the melt temperature could be reduced significantly, while still being able to fill the same mould (due to the reduced viscosity). This technology could enable UK moulders to increase productivity and competitiveness, regain market share and capitalise on new business opportunities.The UK and EU polymer processing industry continues to contract, with companies struggling to maintain market share against competition from low cost economies. Whilst energy cost reductions would be welcomed, cycle time and component thickness are key drivers of financial performance, with parts costed as a function of cycle time & machine hourly rate. The Ultramelt system will apply ultrasonic energy into the molten polymer just before it enters the cavity. This can yield as much as 60% temporary reduction in melt viscosity, enabling a significant reduction in melt temperature, saving both heating & cooling energy. The benefits of this are numerous. Melt temperatures could be maintained and the lower viscosity used to enable easier filling of existing parts or design of thinner-walled parts with corresponding reductions in cooling times. Alternatively, the melt temperature could be reduced significantly, while still being able to fill the same mould (due to the reduced viscosity). This technology could enable UK moulders to increase productivity and competitiveness, regain market share and capitalise on new business opportunities.The UK and EU polymer processing industry continues to contract, with companies struggling to maintain market share against competition from low cost economies. Whilst energy cost reductions would be welcomed, cycle time and component thickness are key drivers of financial performance, with parts costed as a function of cycle time & machine hourly rate. The Ultramelt system will apply ultrasonic energy into the molten polymer just before it enters the cavity. This can yield as much as 60% temporary reduction in melt viscosity, enabling a significant reduction in melt temperature, saving both heating & cooling energy. The benefits of this are numerous. Melt temperatures could be maintained and the lower viscosity used to enable easier filling of existing parts or design of thinner-walled parts with corresponding reductions in cooling times. Alternatively, the melt temperature could be reduced significantly, while still being able to fill the same mould (due to the reduced viscosity). This technology could enable UK moulders to increase productivity and competitiveness, regain market share and capitalise on new business opportunities.The UK and EU polymer processing industry continues to contract, with companies struggling to maintain market share against competition from low cost economies. Whilst energy cost reductions would be welcomed, cycle time and component thickness are key drivers of financial performance, with parts costed as a function of cycle time & machine hourly rate. The Ultramelt system will apply ultrasonic energy into the molten polymer just before it enters the cavity. This can yield as much as 60% temporary reduction in melt viscosity, enabling a significant reduction in melt temperature, saving both heating & cooling energy. The benefits of this are numerous. Melt temperatures could be maintained and the lower viscosity used to enable easier filling of existing parts or design of thinner-walled parts with corresponding reductions in cooling times. Alternatively, the melt temperature could be reduced significantly, while still being able to fill the same mould (due to the reduced viscosity). This technology could enable UK moulders to increase productivity and competitiveness, regain market share and capitalise on new business opportunities. | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 06/08/15 | |
