The Simulation Study of the Effect of Single and Double Gated Molds on Pressure and Temperature in Injection Molding of Polymeric Composite Clutch Pedals

This paper presents the simulation results of a glass fiber reinforced PA 6,6 composite automotive clutch pedal. The analysis is carried out using Moldflow Plastics Insight (MPI) software to investigate the effects of increasing gate number from 1 to 2 on temperature and pressure. The results of temperature show that for single gate, the temperature was 291.3 °C and for double gate was 292.3 °C. Double gates mold induce higher temperature due to longer runner length. Both designs revealed different hot spots locations indicating probable areas of excess shear heating. The results of pressure (end of fill), for the single gate it was 61.31 MPa and for double gate was 60.73 MPa. Double gates mold reduce the required injection pressure as well as pressure variation, hence a lower volumetric shrinkage. Lower injection pressure produces lower shear rate and shear stress level.