PMMA cube manufacturing
PMMA cube manufacturing
(OP)
Hi,
I would like to find out what is the most economical way to manufacture PMMA cubes with dimension of 25X25X25(mm). It will need light texture on the surface. Material to be used is Plexiglass PMMA 8N. I've only experience in injection molding and see that the part is not really feasible for this process. Any advice is appreciated.
thanks
Ken
I would like to find out what is the most economical way to manufacture PMMA cubes with dimension of 25X25X25(mm). It will need light texture on the surface. Material to be used is Plexiglass PMMA 8N. I've only experience in injection molding and see that the part is not really feasible for this process. Any advice is appreciated.
thanks
Ken






RE: PMMA cube manufacturing
Regards
Pat
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RE: PMMA cube manufacturing
Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &
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RE: PMMA cube manufacturing
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: PMMA cube manufacturing
So from your suggestions given, machining from PMMA stock would be a feasible way to do it for production phase. We're looking at 500,000pcs per month type of volume.
I saw in YouTube they do like plastic caps with compression molding and they were really fast. Can this be done with compression molding too?
RE: PMMA cube manufacturing
I would estimate at least 2 minute cycle time, probably more like 3 or 4 min. Acrylic tap handles typically took about 90 sec I think.
That's about 12,000 a month per cavity 24/6 production.
That equals 45 cavities allowing for a few not working.
With a 24 cavity mould it would require about 10 tonne min clap and a 500 gram shot.
It would require at least 2 of these to keep up with production.
Other possibility is cell cast. Cycle time is a lot longer, but tooling is cheap so a few hundred cavities is feasible. Materials like acrylic sheet are traditionally cell cast from a pre-condensate or partially polymerized syrup.
Parts will weigh about 20 grams each or 50 per kg.
500,000 parts is 10 tonnes per month. Raw materials suppliers will be very happy to give you all sorts of advice as to how to make them either way if they believe you are for real and have a realistic project.
Regards
Pat
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RE: PMMA cube manufacturing
From your experience in cell casting, could you advise typically how many cavity moulds you can build and whats the cycle time like? I would assume in production the whole casting process would be automated from putting in the liquid PMMA to ejecting the parts?
RE: PMMA cube manufacturing
They cast acrylic sheet between flat sheets of glass clamped together with spacers of the required sheet thickness in between.
Regards
Pat
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