Experimental analysis of milled groove conformal cooling in injection molding

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, VilasraoDeshmukh Foundation Group of Institutions, Latur-413531, Maharashtra, India

2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, All India Shri Shivaji Memorial Society’s College of Engineering, Pune- 411001, Maharashtra, India

3 Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, VilasraoDeshmukh Foundation Group of Institutions, Latur-413531, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Conformal cooling channels have been proposed as a promising alternative to traditional cooling channels. The objective of this paper is to introduce a novel method of producing milled groove conformal cooling channels (MGCCC) for injection molding using hard tooling. An experimental investigation was carried out by comparing the conventional cooling channel approach with CCC to optimize the cooling time. The study focuses on a specific case study of an "enclosure part" from a medium-scale industry(Mold Craft Engineers Pvt. Ltd. in Pune). The injection mold tools for this part used straight drilled cooling channels, which resulted in uneven cooling and longer cooling times. The milled groove CCC was designed to improve the cooling time and reduce cycle time, to conform to the shape of the cavity. The fabrication of the mold with CCC was performed using CNC machining. Milled grooves were sealed with a fitted plate and O-rings to prevent leakage. Temperature measurements were recorded using RTDs embedded near the cavity surface under controlled molding conditions. The experimental analysis, which involved temperature measurement of the molded part during the injection molding process, revealed that the mold with milled groove CCC exhibited shorter cooling times than the mold with straight cooling channels. Cooling time was reduced by 73.33% compared to the conventional cooling system.

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AUT Journal of Mechanical Engineering
Volume 10, Issue 3
July 2026
Pages 379-388

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