In an injection molding machine, the conventional barrel heating system which uses resistance heating method (RH) has some drawbacks such as low heating rate, long heating time, and energy loss. With induction heating (IH) technique, the barrel can better handle almost all of these disadvantages. However, non-uniform temperature distribution on inside surface of a barrel is the main drawback of induction heaters. A working coil coupled with magnetic flux concentrators via adjustment of magnetic flux concentrator spacing to achieve uniformity of magnetic flux and temperature distribution on the inside surface of a barrel was proposed and experimented. Results showed that, when barrel was heated by induction heating method with the proposed induction heating coil, heating time to reach a specific temperature could be reduced, and heating rate increased compared to resistance heating method. With 8 mm pitch of magnetic flux concentrators on a coil, the temperature distribution was the most uniform.
Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to develop a barrel heating system using induction heating instead of resistance heating. And, a working coil for the induction heating system was designed so that the barrel has uniform temperature distribution. Design/methodology/approach -A coupling design combining the pitch of turns of working coil with the magnetic flux concentrators in the barrel induction heating system was developed to achieve uniform temperature distribution which was approximately the same as temperature uniformity obtained from that of resistance heating system. Findings -In contrast to resistance heating method, induction heating is more efficient because the heating is directly applied on the work-piece. Its heating rate is higher than that of resistance heating method. However, the uneven temperature distribution in the barrel is the main disadvantage of the induction heating system. But, with proper design of adjusting the pitch of turns at the center of working coil and adding magnetic flux concentrators at areas with lower magnetic flux, the barrel heating system via induction can achieve temperature distribution uniformity. Originality/value -Under proper design of working coil, the barrel heating system by induction method can achieve the same uniform temperature distribution as the barrel heated by resistance method, and could be practically used in an injection molding machine.
A barrel heating system will be developed by using induction heating instead of current resistance heating. The experiment results showed the induction heating system can change successfully the current resistance heating system in heated the barrel of injection molding machine. A working coil coupled with magnetic concentrator bars was also considered. Finally, the uniformity of temperature distribution is compared between two barrel heating systems.
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