How to Calculate Injection Molding Shot Weight for Perfect Results in Injection Molding?

Injection molding shot weight refers to the amount of material injected into the mold cavity during each cycle. Understanding shot weight and its calculation is crucial for achieving optimal part quality and process efficiency. In this post, we will explore the concept of injection molding shot weight, its importance, principles of calculation, and step-by-step methods for calculating shot weight in both hot-runner and cold-runner systems.

If you want to learn about runner systems in injection molding, read Understanding Hot Runner and Cold Runner Systems In Injection Molding.

What Is Injection Molding Shot Weight?

Injection molding shot weight refers to the amount of material that is injected into the mold cavity during each cycle of the injection molding process. It represents the weight of the plastic material needed to fill the mold and form the desired part.

Shot Weight vs. Shot Size

Injection molding shot weight and shot size are two related but distinct terms in the context of injection molding. While they both refer to aspects of the injection molding process, they have different meanings and considerations.

Shot Weight: Shot weight refers to the actual weight of the material that is injected into the mold to produce a molded part. It is typically measured in grams or ounces and represents the total weight of the resin or material used for molding a single shot. The shot weight is determined by the volume of the mold cavity and the specific gravity of the material being used.

Shot Size: Shot size, on the other hand, refers to the volume of material that is injected into the mold during a single injection cycle. It is typically measured in cubic centimeters (cc) or cubic inches (in³) and represents the capacity or volume of the injection unit or barrel. The shot size is determined by the physical dimensions and design of the injection unit.

In this blog, we’re going to focus on shot weight in injection molding.

Importance of Injection Molding Shot Weight

Injection molding shot weight is a critical parameter in injection molding as it directly impacts the quality, dimensions, and properties of the molded part. It determines the amount of material required to achieve proper fill of the mold cavity and ensure complete and uniform part formation. The injection molding shot weight affects various aspects of the molding process, including part quality, dimensional accuracy, material consumption, cycle time, and part cost.

• Part Quality: The shot weight directly affects the quality of the molded part. Proper shot weight ensures complete filling of the mold cavity, leading to well-defined part dimensions, consistent part weight, and minimal defects. Insufficient shot weight can result in incomplete filling, leading to short shots or parts with voids. Excessive shot weight can cause issues like sink marks, part warpage, or flash. Achieving the right shot weight is essential for producing parts with optimal quality.
• Dimensional Accuracy: Shot weight affects the dimensional accuracy of the molded part. It determines the material flow and distribution within the mold cavity, influencing the part’s dimensions, shape, and surface finish. Controlling the shot weight helps achieve precise and consistent part dimensions, ensuring that the molded parts meet the required specifications.
• Material Consumption: Shot weight directly impacts material consumption during the injection molding process. By calculating the appropriate shot weight, manufacturers can optimize material usage, minimizing waste and reducing production costs. Efficient shot weight management helps in controlling material expenses, especially when working with expensive or specialized materials.
• Cycle Time Optimization: Shot weight affects the overall cycle time of the injection molding process. Optimizing the shot weight allows for faster material injection, reducing the cooling time required for the part to solidify. By achieving the appropriate shot weight, manufacturers can enhance production efficiency, increase throughput, and reduce the overall cycle time, leading to higher productivity.
• Cost Efficiency: Accurate shot weight control contributes to cost efficiency in injection molding. By calculating and maintaining the correct shot weight, manufacturers can minimize material waste, reduce scrap rates, and optimize production resources. This leads to improved cost-effectiveness in terms of material utilization, energy consumption, and overall production expenses.

What Are the Principles of Calculating Shot Weight?

The calculation of injection molding shot weight involves several principles and factors that need to be considered. Here are the key principles to keep in mind when calculating shot weight:

Part Weight:

The first principle is to determine the desired weight of the molded part. This is typically specified in the part design requirements or can be calculated based on the part geometry and material density. The part weight serves as a starting point for calculating the shot weight.

Material Density:

The density of the material being used is a crucial factor in calculating the shot weight. Each material has a specific density, which is typically provided by the material supplier. The density is usually measured in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³) or pounds per cubic inch (lb/in³).

Part Volume:

To calculate the shot weight, it is necessary to estimate the volume of the part to be molded. The part volume is determined by the part geometry, including the shape, size, and thickness. The part volume can be calculated using mathematical formulas or through computer-aided design (CAD) software.

Mold Cavity Volume:

The shot weight calculation also requires knowledge of the mold cavity volume. The mold cavity volume is determined by the part geometry and the number of cavities in the mold. It is important to consider the volume of all cavities in multi-cavity molds.

Material Yield:

The material yield refers to the percentage of material that is actually used in the molding process, taking into account factors such as runner system, gate size, and scrap generated during production. The material yield is typically provided by the material supplier or can be determined through trial runs and process optimization.

Conversion Factor:

Finally, a conversion factor is applied to convert the part weight from volume (cubic centimeters or cubic inches) to weight (grams or ounces). The conversion factor is the material density.

How to Calculate Injection Molding Shot Weight?

When calculating shot weight in injection molding, it is important to consider whether the molding process will use a hot runner system or a cold runner system.

Learn how to design injection mold runner in our previous blog: Injection Mold Runner Design: Optimizing Molding Process Manufacturing

For a hot runner system:

The shot weight calculation should only consider the material required to fill the mold cavities, as the runner system is designed to stay molten and does not contribute to the shot weight. Therefore, the shot weight calculation for a hot runner system includes only the weight of the material needed to fill the mold cavities.

Shot Weight = Part Volume × Material Density × (1 + Shrinkage) × Packing Factor

For a cold runner system:

The shot weight calculation should include the weight of the runners in addition to the material required to fill the mold cavities.

Shot Weight = (Part Volume + Runner Volume) × Material Density × (1 + Shrinkage) × Packing Factor

Notice:

1. Determine the Part Volume: The part volume is the total volume of the part being molded. It can be calculated using the appropriate geometry formula for the specific part shape (e.g., for a simple geometric shape like a rectangular solid, the volume would be length × width × height).
2. Determine the Material Density: The material density is the mass per unit volume of the material being used for molding. It is typically provided by the material manufacturer and is expressed in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³) or pounds per cubic inch (lb/in³).
3. Consider Shrinkage: Shrinkage is the reduction in size or volume of the material as it cools and solidifies after injection. It is expressed as a percentage and is specific to the material being used. The shrinkage value can be obtained from material datasheets or testing.
4. Determine the Packing Factor: The packing factor takes into account the additional material required to compensate for any voids or gaps in the mold cavity during packing. It is typically estimated based on experience or adjusted during trial and error.

Please note that the provided formulas are general guidelines and should be adjusted based on the specific part design, material properties, and processing conditions. Consultation with experienced professionals or the use of specialized software is recommended for accurate shot weight calculations in real-world injection molding scenarios.

Conclusion

In summary, accurately calculating the shot weight in injection molding is essential for optimizing material usage, achieving consistent part quality, and improving production efficiency. Manufacturers determine the appropriate amount of material needed for each shot will minimize waste, maintain dimensional accuracy, and ensure reliable performance of the injection molding process. Collaborating with experienced professionals and considering project-specific requirements further enhances the accuracy and efficiency of shot weight calculations.