Sensor Film Tracks Pressure Distribution during Injection Moulding

Pressure distribution along the parting line of a mould. Click to enlarge.

Ensuring that the two halves of an injection mould are perfectly aligned and sealed is especially important when life-saving medical products are being manufactured. A thin flexible film supplied by Sensor Products (Madison, NJ, USA) provides manufacturers with a tool that instantly captures and permanently records pressure distribution and magnitude between two mating or contacting surfaces.
After being clamped up and placed around the parting line of a mould, Pressurex film reveals whether the pressure is evenly distributed. “As moulds become more complex and are exposed to high pressures, this film is a superior tool to the bluing agents that mould makers traditionally use,” says John Bozzelli, owner of US-based Scientific Molding, which uses Pressurex to demonstrate parting line mating and open or closed vents in his consulting and training services.

Pressurex reveals pressure from 2 – 43,200 psi (0.14 – 3000 kg/cm²) and is available in eight different pressure ranges. When placed between two contacting surfaces, the film instantaneously and permanently changes color directly proportional to the applied pressure. Precise pressure magnitude is easily determined by comparing the colour intensity of the film to a colour correlation chart (conceptually similar to interpreting Litmus paper). No training or instrumentation is required.

Free samples in specific pressure ranges are available on request.

Tags: Pressurex, sensor, thin-film