Virtual Sensor for Injection Molding Monitoring

Monitoring the complete injection molding process is becoming critical for manufacturing high-quality polymer products, as it enhances product quality and process efficiency. This study presents the development of a virtual sensor designed to monitor critical parameters of the injection molding process that cannot be measured with existing sensors. The virtual sensor integrates both one-dimensional system simulations and data-driven models to accurately predict the behavior of the complete injection molding process, including the plasticizing steps. In our investigation, the virtual sensor was tested and demonstrated its ability in forecasting key process parameters, namely the injection pressure and the screw displacement. The sensor’s ability to provide real-time melt temperature or shear rate highlights its practical applicability and effectiveness in optimizing the injection molding process.