Optimization Design of I-Type Plastic Extrusion Die Based on Flow Balance

ABSTRACT

With the I-type plastic extrusion die for example, the advantages and disadvantages between the traditional design method and optimization design method were compared. The design was studied via finite element numeric analysis combined with optimization, whose objective was the equal average flow velocity of each sub-field of profile cross section at extrusion die. And the optimization design was studied by tacking the thickness of the entrance of transition section and the sectional dimension of forming section as the design variables. An example was provided to illustrate the optimization method proposed above. Results showed that the flow nonuniformity index could be reduced almost 9% and the mean flow velocity could be improved 28% by optimizing the design variables such as the thickness of the entrance of transition section and the sectional dimension of forming section.

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