Influences of micro-ridges orientation and position on the replication of micro-structured surfaces by injection molding

Francesco Regi*, Alberto Basso, Martin Kain, Dario Loaldi, Dongya Li, Yang Zhang, Guido Tosello

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalConference articleResearchpeer-review

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    Abstract

    In this work, directional optical properties were achieved with a microstructure composed of a close array of ridges, defined by their width and by the angle with respect to the main surface. Under constrained lighting, the reflectance was maximized from a certain viewing angle and direction, and minimized from its horizontally orthogonal position. The purpose was generating quick response codes (i.e. Data matrix) that could be easily scanned by means of commercially available software. The ridges were 1.2 mm long, 0.2 mm wide and with a 10° slope angle, for a depth of about 0.03 mm. Each code was defined by 10x10 modules, each composed of 6 ridges. The code was machined on a tool insert and replicated by means of Injection Moulding. This study investigated the effect of the ridge orientation with respect to flow front and the effect of the distance from the gate The inserts have then been replicated using Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Inserts and replicates were characterized using a Olympus Lext OLS4100 Laser Confocal microscope. Values of height, slope and roughness of the milled ridges and their replicates have been measured. The results showed that ridges parallel to the flow on the replicates had better replication accuracy and that, contrary to the expectations, ridges closer to the gate were replicated worse than the micro-structures far from the gate.
    Original languageEnglish
    Article number020013
    JournalAIP Conference Proceedings
    Volume2205
    Issue number1
    Number of pages5
    ISSN0094-243X
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2020
    Event35th International Conference of the Polymer Processing Society (PPS-35) - Çeşm-Izmir , Turkey
    Duration: 26 May 201930 May 2019

    Conference

    Conference35th International Conference of the Polymer Processing Society (PPS-35)
    Country/TerritoryTurkey
    CityÇeşm-Izmir
    Period26/05/201930/05/2019

    Keywords

    • Functional Surface
    • Micro-Structured Surface
    • Injection Molding
    • Thermoplastic

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