A demonstrator for the experimental assessment of the through-process modeling of injection-molded parts made of short-fiber-reinforced polymers

Through process modelling of injection moulded parts is nowadays the industry standard approach to the structural analysis of parts made of short fibre-reinforced polymers. The designer has to face challenging tasks, in order to conduct accurate and reliable analyses. Complex geometries, weld lines and multiple flows make it difficult to transfer results of tests conducted on simple specimens to the assessment of the real parts. We have designed a mould allowing for manufacturing a demonstrator, i.e., a part of sufficiently complex shape, typical of injection-moulded structural parts, allowing for creating different conditions in terms of fibre orientation, presence of weld lines and multiple injection points. The part is designed to be tested under three- or four-point bending conditions. By simulating the test conditions, the designer can compare experimental results with numerical solutions, in order to better understand the potential of the software packages he is using.