Project work or research laboratory
© IKVTopic of the work:
Injection molding is the most economical process for manufacturing complex plastic components. The components can only be produced with high dimensional accuracy if the temperature control of the injection mold is precisely designed. The layout of the cooling channels directly influences the amount of heat that can be dissipated, so that the temperature control system is increasingly becoming the focus of industry and research due to increasing demands on achievable component qualities and shorter cycle times. Nowadays, the cooling channel systems in the mold are mainly designed manually.
The work is related to this research project:
In a current research project, an algorithm has been developed that calculates the optimum cooling requirement. This can be used to determine the optimum position and layout of the cooling channels. The next step will be a practical validation of the generated cooling channels. This requires experimental implementation, production and measurement. In this sub-project of a collaborative research center, an algorithm is being researched that automatically calculates the optimum cooling channel layout. This is intended to compensate for part distortion during injection moulding and enable greater part precision.
Objective:
The aim of the work is to determine and compare the influence of already produced, automatically generated temperature control channel layouts on the moulded part geometry and thus to validate the function of the optimization algorithm for automated design.
Your task:
| For a research lab assignment, you will work on the following tasks | For a project assignment, you will work on the following tasks |
| Conversion of the injection mold and setup of the injection molding machine | Conversion of the injection mold and setup of the injection molding machine |
| Production of molded parts in a statistical test plan | Production of molded parts in a statistical test plan |
| Geometric measurement of the molded parts with an optical or tactile measuring system | Measurements of the temperature distribution with an IR camera and the flow velocity of the coolant |
| Statistical test evaluation and effect calculation | Evaluation of sensor data for cavity pressure and temperature |
| Geometric measurement of the molded parts with an optical or tactile measuring system | |
| Statistical test evaluation and effect calculation | |
| Error analysis by e.g. Quantification of dimensional deviations of the tool insert |
Your profile:
- Technical or scientific degree (e.g. mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, automation technology, materials science, environmental engineering)
- You would like to have completed your thesis by the end of May 2026
- Interest in independent, experimental work
- Understanding the material behavior of plastics is an advantage
- Previous experience in injection molding is helpful
These are your benefits:
- Direct start
- Quick processing of the work using existing materials and equipment
- Intensive collaboration with research assistant
- Independent experimental work on injection molding machines with industrial standards
- Co-design of current research projects
- Independent work with intensive support
- Work in a young, motivated team
If you are interested in writing your thesis at IKV and in this task, please get in touch with me. I will be happy to explain the exact scope and schedule to you.