智能注射成形中工艺参数的多目标自学习优化

注射成形工艺参数是保障产品质量的关键因素。传统试错法严重依赖工艺人员的试模经验,随着注射成形工艺广泛应用于电子、航空航天等国家战略领域,产品的高端化对工艺参数智能化设置水平提出更高的要求。由于成形产品存在多方面的质量要求,且不同质量指标间可能相互制约,因此亟需一种工艺参数多目标智能优化方法,以获得不同优化目标间的帕累托最优。已有学者利用智能优化方法,如非支配排序遗传算法等,对多目标优化问题进行求解,但是此类方法需大量样本数据对质量-参数关系进行建模,存在试验次数多、且对不同材料及模具的适应性较差等问题。为解决上述问题,提出一种注射成形工艺参数多目标自学习优化方法,在优化过程中实时计算并更新各个工艺参数的梯度,并由不同质量指标的多梯度下降算法对多个目标函数进行优化,在优化过程中实现各工艺参数对产品质量影响程度的自主学习,省去了采集大量数据来建立多个质量模型的过程,实现了注射成形工艺参数的高效智能优化。在基准测试函数实验中,所提方法的优化结果与理论解的相对误差小于2%。同时数值仿真与注射成形实验结果表明,所提方法能高效获得多个优化目标的帕累托最优。     

Multi-objective optimization of injection molding process parameters in two stages for multiple quality characteristics and energy efficiency using Taguchi method and NSGA-II

In this paper, the parameters optimization of plastic injection molding (PIM) process was obtained in systematic optimization methodologies by two stages. In the first stage, the parameters, such as melt temperature, injection velocity, packing pressure, packing time, and cooling time, were selected by simulation method in widely range. The simulation experiment was performed under Taguchi method, and the quality characteristics (product length and warpage) of PIM process were obtained by the computer aided engineering (CAE) method. Then, the Taguchi method was utilized for the simulation experiments and data analysis, followed by the S/N ratio method and ANOVA, which were used to identify the most significant process parameters for the initial optimal combinations. Therefore, the range of these parameters can be narrowed for the second stage by this analysis. The Taguchi orthogonal array table was also arranged in the second stage. And, the Taguchi method was utilized for the experiments and data analysis. The experimental data formed the basis for the RSM analysis via the multi regression models and combined with NSGS-II to determine the optimal process parameter combinations in compliance with multi-objective product quality characteristics and energy efficiency. The confirmation results show that the proposed model not only enhances the stability in the injection molding process, including the quality in product length deviation, but also reduces the product weight and energy consuming in the PIM process. It is an emerging trend that the multi-objective optimization of product length deviation and warpage, product weight, and energy efficiency should be emphasized for green manufacturing.     

面向绿色注塑加工的工艺耦合参数设计优选方法

为提高产品加工过程的绿色性能,提出一种基于耦合推广正交算法的工艺参数优选方法。利用正交实验在解决单目标优化问题中的优势,提出基于工艺参数耦合强度关系的推广正交算法,用小生境演化繁殖后代,以实现多绿色性能指标优化。将该方法运用到注塑加工工艺参数设计中,选择面向绿色性能指标的注塑加工工艺参数,确定相互间的耦合强度关系以及注塑加工过程的多项绿色性能指标,建立注塑加工绿色设计模型。以某风机盖注塑加工为例验证了所提方法的可行性。     

正交试验设计的注塑成型工艺参数多目标优化设计

结合正交试验设计和注塑成型模拟软件Moldflow,对不同工艺条件下的注塑成型过程进行模拟分析,并运用模糊数学中的综合评判法,对塑件成型后的体积收缩率变化、表面缩痕指数和最大翘曲变形量三个目标值进行综合评判,得到综合评分.通过对综合评分的极差分析,确定模具温度、熔体温度、注塑时间、保压参数、冷却时间等工艺参数对综合评分的影响程度,并绘制因素水平影响趋势图,分析得出最优的注塑工艺参数组合方案,并对该工艺组合方案进行模拟验证.     

Optimization of injection molding process parameters using integrated artificial neural network model and expected improvement function method

In this study, an adaptive optimization method based on artificial neural network model is proposed to optimize the injection molding process. The optimization process aims at minimizing the warpage of the injection molding parts in which process parameters are design variables. Moldflow Plastic Insight software is used to analyze the warpage of the injection molding parts. The mold temperature, melt temperature, injection time, packing pressure, packing time, and cooling time are regarded as process parameters. A combination of artificial neural network and design of experiment (DOE) method is used to build an approximate function relationship between warpage and the process parameters, replacing the expensive simulation analysis in the optimization iterations. The adaptive process is implemented by expected improvement which is an infilling sampling criterion. Although the DOE size is small, this criterion can balance local and global search and tend to the global optimal solution. As examples, a cellular phone cover and a scanner are investigated. The results show that the proposed adaptive optimization method can effectively reduce the warpage of the injection molding parts.     

Multiobjective optimization of injection molding parameters based on soft computing and variable complexity method

The objective of this study is to propose an intelligent methodology for efficiently optimizing the injection molding parameters when multiple constraints and multiple objectives are involved. Multiple objective functions reflecting the product quality, manufacturing cost and molding efficiency were constructed for the optimization model of injection molding parameters while multiple constraint functions reflecting the requirements of clients and the restrictions in the capacity of injection molding machines were established as well. A novel methodology integrating variable complexity methods (VCMs), constrained non-dominated sorted genetic algorithm (CNSGA), back propagation neural networks (BPNNs) and Moldflow analyses was put forward to locate the Pareto optimal solutions to the constrained multiobjective optimization problem. The VCMs enabled both the knowledge-based simplification of the optimization model and the variable-precision flow analyses of different injection molding parameter schemes. The Moldflow analyses were applied to collect the precise sample data for developing BPNNs and to fine-tune the Pareto-optimal solutions after the CNSGA-based optimization while the approximate BPNNs were utilized to efficiently compute the fitness of every individual during the evolution of CNSGA. The case study of optimizing the mold and process parameters for manufacturing mice with a compound-cavity mold demonstrated the feasibility and intelligence of proposed methodology.     

基于BP-NSGA的注塑参数多目标智能优化设计

为获得成型性能最优的注塑参数设计方案,提出了基于BP神经网络和非支配排序遗传算法的注塑参数多目标优化方法。将注塑模结构尺寸参数和注塑工艺参数作为待优化的设计变量,建立了以高质量、低成本、高效率为优化目标的注塑参数优化设计模型。基于非支配排序遗传算法获取给定参数范围内的所有Pareto最优解,并通过建立多输入和多输出的BP神经网络来快速获得非支配排序遗传算法优化进程中所有个体的适应度值。开发了基于BP神经网络与非支配排序遗传算法集成的注塑参数智能优化设计系统,并通过鼠标注塑参数设计实例,验证了其适用性和有效性。     

Process parameters optimization of injection molding using a fast strip analysis as a surrogate model

Injection molding process parameters such as injection temperature, mold temperature, and injection time have direct influence on the quality and cost of products. However, the optimization of these parameters is a complex and difficult task. In this paper, a novel surrogate-based evolutionary algorithm for process parameters optimization is proposed. Considering that most injection molded parts have a sheet like geometry, a fast strip analysis model is adopted as a surrogate model to approximate the time-consuming computer simulation software for predicating the filling characteristics of injection molding, in which the original part is represented by a rectangular strip, and a finite difference method is adopted to solve one dimensional flow in the strip. Having established the surrogate model, a particle swarm optimization algorithm is employed to find out the optimum process parameters over a space of all feasible process parameters. Case studies show that the proposed optimization algorithm can optimize the process parameters effectively.     

两种神经网络在注塑产品工艺参数确定中的应用

汽车外饰件的塑料化趋势对注塑模成型质量提出了更高要求.为解决传统CAE方法需多次试验才能得到较优工艺的缺点,以一汽车观后镜为研究对象,建立了基于人工神经网络的从注塑工艺参数到注塑翘曲量的非线性映射关系,并对比了两种经典的前馈神经网络(BP网络和RBF网络)的学习能力,从而实现用神经网络模型代替CAE软件获得注塑翘曲量.研究结果表明,该方法能有效地缩短优化工艺参数的时间,提高了工艺设计效率.     

Multi-objective optimization of MIMO plastic injection molding process conditions based on particle swarm optimization

Determining optimal process parameter settings critically influences productivity, quality, and cost of production in the plastic injection molding industry. Selecting the proper process conditions for the injection molding process is treated as a multi-objective optimization problem, where different objectives, such as minimizing product weight, volumetric shrinkage, or flash present trade-off behaviors. As such, various optima may exist in the objective space. This paper presents the development of an experiment-based optimization system for the process parameter optimization of multiple-input multiple-output plastic injection molding process. The development integrates Taguchi’s parameter design method, neural networks based on PSO (PSONN model), multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm, engineering optimization concepts, and automatically search for the Pareto-optimal solutions for different objectives. According to the illustrative applications, the research results indicate that the proposed approach can effectively help engineers identify optimal process conditions and achieve competitive advantages of product quality and costs.     

注塑工艺设计中模具CAE技术与正交试验的综合应用

模具CAE技术与正交实验、数据处理与分析技术的综合应用,可以有效地优化工艺参数方案,缩短模具设计周期、提高模具设计质量、降低模具制造成本。本文为注塑成型工艺方案的优化及模具设计提供了一种可行方案和技术路线。     

A study of optimization of injection molding process parameters for SGF and PTFE reinforced PC composites using neural network and response surface methodology

This study analyzed variations of mechanical characteristics that depend on the injection molding techniques during the blending of short glass fiber and polytetrafluoroethylene reinforced polycarbonate composites. A hybrid method including back-propagation neural network (BPNN), genetic algorithm (GA), and response surface methodology (RSM) are proposed to determine an optimal parameter setting of the injection molding process. The specimens are prepared under different injection molding processing conditions based on a Taguchi orthogonal array table. The results of 18 experimental runs were utilized to train the BPNN predicting ultimate strength, flexural strength, and impact resistance. Simultaneously, the RSM and GA approaches were individually applied to search for an optimal setting. In addition, the analysis of variance was implemented to identify significant factors for the injection molding process parameters and the result of BPNN integrating GA was also compared with RSM approach. The results show that the RSM and BPNN/GA methods are both effective tools for the optimization of injection molding process parameters.     

A modified global optimization method based on surrogate model and its application in packing profile optimization of injection molding process

This article introduces a step-by-step optimization method based on the radial basis function (RBF) surrogate model and proposes an improved expected improvement selection criterion to better the global performance of this optimization method. Then it is applied to the optimization of packing profile of injection molding process for obtaining best shrinkage evenness of molded part. The idea is first, to establish an approximation function relationship between shrinkage evenness and process parameters by a small size of design of experiment with RBF surrogate model to alleviate the expensive computational expense in the optimization iterations. And then, an improved criterion is used to provide direction in which additional training samples could be added to better the surrogate model. Two test functions are investigated and the results show that stronger global exploration performance and more precise optimal solution could be obtained with the improved method at the expense of increasing the infill data properly. Furthermore the optimal solution of packing profile is obtained for the first time which indicates that the type of optimal packing profile should be first constant and then ramp-down. Subsequently, the discussion of this result is given to explain why the optimal profile is like that.     

Study of water penetration length and processing parameters optimization in water-assisted injection molding

Water penetration length is one of the most important indexes of the water-assisted injection molding parts, the maximization of which is a particularly significant optimization objective. The effects of processing parameters, such as the short shot size, melt temperature, water pressure, and delay time, on water penetration length were exploited by using single factor experiment method and computational fluid dynamics analysis. In addition, the maximization of water penetration length on dimensional transition and curved-section parts by integrating the Taguchi orthogonal array design, radial basis function neural network, and particle swarm optimization was investigated. The research results showed that the two primary parameters affecting the water penetration length were the short shot size and water pressure, and that the effects of the melt temperature and delay time were little. Furthermore, the maximum water penetration length after optimization was slightly bigger than that of the confirmation experiment, which indicated that the optimization methodology was reliable and effective.     

A warpage optimization method for injection molding using artificial neural network with parametric sampling evaluation strategy

A sequential optimization design method based on artificial neural network (ANN) surrogate model with parametric sampling evaluation (PSE) strategy is proposed in this paper. The quality index, such as warpage deformations, thickness uniformity, and so on, is a nonlinear, implicit function of the process conditions, which are typically evaluated by the solution of finite element (FE) equations, a complicated task which often involves huge computational effort. The ANN model can build an approximate function relationship between the design variables and quality index, replacing the expensive FE reanalysis of the quality index in the optimization. Moldflow Corporation’s Plastics Insight software is used to analyze the quality index of the injection-molded parts. The optimization process is performed by a Parametric Sampling Evaluation (PSE) function. PSE is an infilling sampling criterion. Although the design of experiment size is small, this criterion can take the relatively unexpected space into consideration to improve the accuracy of the ANN model and quickly tend to the global optimization solution in the design space. As examples, a scanner, a TV cover, and a plastic lens are investigated. The results show that the sequential optimization method based on PSE sampling criterion can converge faster and effectively approach to the global optimization solution.     

金属(陶瓷)粉末注射成形技术及应用

介绍金属 (陶瓷 )粉末注射成形技术的主要工艺过程 ,分析其工艺的特点及其在零部件制造方面所具有的技术优势及应用