Professional Plastic Pipe Fitting Mould Manufacturer With 20 Years Of Experience - Spark Mould
Dovetail Collapsible Core Injection Molding Mold Design
What is a Dovetail Collapsible Core?
Dovetail Collapsible Core is a sophisticated mechanical assembly housed within the mold. Unlike simpler segmented cores, it features components with interlocking dovetail grooves and tongues. This ancient woodworking joint, applied to precision engineering, offers unmatched strength and stability.
The core typically consists of a central mandrel and multiple surrounding segments. The key to its operation is the interaction between these parts:
Interlocking Segments: The segments are held together by the dovetail joints, which prevent them from separating under the immense pressure of injected plastic.
Tapered Mandrel: The central mandrel has a conical or tapered surface.
Collapsing Action: When the mold opens, the mandrel is pulled back. The tapered surface forces the segments to slide radially inwards along the dovetail paths. This collective inward movement reduces the core's overall diameter, clearing the internal threads and allowing the plastic nut to be ejected cleanly.
Expanding Action: During mold closing, the mandrel is pushed forward, guiding the segments back to their expanded, full-diameter position to form the next nut.
Key Considerations in Collapsible Core Mold Design for Plastic Nuts
A successful Collapsible Core Mold Design requires meticulous engineering. Key factors include:
Segment Count: Determined by the thread pitch and nut diameter. More segments can create finer threads but increase complexity.
Taper Angle: The angle on the mandrel must be optimized to ensure smooth collapsing and expanding without jamming.
Material Selection: Core components must be made from high-grade, hardened tool steels to withstand abrasion and cyclic loading.
Actuation System: The mechanism that pulls and pushes the central mandrel must be reliable and synchronized with the molding machine's cycle.
Conclusion
The production of plastic nuts with strong, precise internal threads has long presented a significant challenge in injection molding. Traditional methods, such as unscrewing molds, are complex, time-consuming, and costly to maintain. For manufacturers seeking a more robust and efficient solution, Collapsible Core Injection Molding stands out as the superior technology, with the Dovetail Collapsible Core design being the gold standard for durability and performance.