Optimization of the micro-injection molding process using grey relational analysis and MoldFlow analysis

Microsystem technology is a compound technology including optic, mechanism, electricity, material, control and chemistry, etc. This technology can miniaturize products and increase their function, quality, trustworthiness and addendum. Micro-injection molding is a branch of the micro-electro mechanical system. The size of the product is in nanometers. It is important to produce the product for micro-injection molding technology today. The research of micro-injection molding is still in the early stages. In this study, numerical simulations of three-dimensional micro-injection moldings were performed. The governing differential equations were described by using control volume finite element method. The analysis with different polymers (such as PP, PC, PS, POM) and process parameters (injection time, mold temperature, injection temperature, injection pressure) are used to simulate the microgear for example. In order to obtain optimum results, the simulation introduces the Taguchi method and grey relational analysis to discuss the influence of each parameter in micro-injection molding. The results show that the PS material is the most suitable material used in this study. The results for MoldFlow analysis and grey relational analysis are the same on this study.