Improved plastic components with X-ray

A series of X-ray scans allowed the international engineering company Siemens to improve one of their production methods. More specifically the X-ray scans helped define the optimal production parameters for the injection molding process that Siemens uses to manufacture plastic items for one of the company’s industrial application unit. The X-ray scans and following data analysis were realized in cooperation with the Imaging Industry Portal at DTU

Challenge

Injection molding is a well-proven technique for manufacturing items in plastic. However, the method does have a tendency to allow for the formation of tiny bubbles of air inside the object. This is normally not a problem, but in the case of one of Siemens’ industrial application units, air bubbles in plastic discs may cause the system to break down.

Collaboration

Siemens entered a collaboration with the Imaging Industry Portal in order to get a better understanding of the conditions under which the air bubbles appeared in the plastic items. A series of plastic items produced under different parameters were scanned using DTU X-ray instruments. 

Results

The results clearly pointed to the optimal production regime, where there was almost no air bubble in the plastic discs.