1 of 2
2 of 2
Braunform has developed a highly complex, mechanical slider mould for a lever application, which is manufactured by a well-known automobile supplier.
The 1- and 2-cavity injection moulds for the lever are subject to tolerances of +/- 2 µ. The lever has to fit in the architecture of the vehicle and the consumer has to be able to use it as a multi-functional instrument for gear shift and volume control.
The injection mould with three plate gating operates with several mechanical sliders in various angles in order to release the complex contour with holes and undercuts during the opening process of the mould.
By eliminating hydraulic movements, Braunform says that easier handling of the setup process as well as the production with high temperatures is possible. This is due to the customer’s request that the mould should be useable worldwide, including on machines which are not hydraulically equipped.
The material for the appplication is polyamide with 65% glass-fibre content. This needs to be processed with a mould wall temperature of over 100°C. Temperature regulation in the mould needs to ensure a consistent temperature sequence as well as the positioning of the injection point to allow glass fibre orientation. Specially coated steels are used to counteract the wear of the inserts by the high glass-fibre content.
During crash tests the manufacturer tested the lever’s durability in normal use as well as the predetermined breaking point for accident prevention. Due to extremely tight tolerances, the required lock function is guaranteed, says Braunform.
In terms of the appearance, the fine, eroded structure in the grip area and the offset-free transitions in the separation region are designed to give a high quality aesthetic.
Since the conception of the lever, 16 injection moulds have been already been developed by Braunform, with the largest weighing 2.8 tonnes.
