Rapid mold optimization based on ultraviolet curing 3D printing technology

Injection molding is the most common method for making plastic products. However, quick molds made with ultraviolet (UV) curing 3D printing frequently employ photosensitive resins with low mechanical strength, rendering plastic components prone to warpage deformation. To solve this issue, our resear...

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Main Authors: Hanyu Rao, Xinyu Bai, Wen Yan, Jie Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Materials
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1605771/full
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author Hanyu Rao
Xinyu Bai
Wen Yan
Jie Liu
author_facet Hanyu Rao
Xinyu Bai
Wen Yan
Jie Liu
author_sort Hanyu Rao
collection DOAJ
description Injection molding is the most common method for making plastic products. However, quick molds made with ultraviolet (UV) curing 3D printing frequently employ photosensitive resins with low mechanical strength, rendering plastic components prone to warpage deformation. To solve this issue, our research focuses on the design and development of fast molds using UV-curing 3D printing technology. A response surface model was used to explore the effect of different process parameters on component warpage, with the goal of minimizing deformation. An upgraded particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique was then created to fine-tune the process parameters and reduce warpage even more. The results revealed that raising injection pressure, reducing temperature, and prolonging holding time successfully reduced warpage. During the single-peak Schwefel function test, the modified PSO method displayed greater optimization capabilities, achieving convergence in around 40 iterations. Using the modified values, the maximum warpage was lowered by 0.55 mm. Experimental results demonstrate the suggested optimization model’s performance, allowing for increased mold design flexibility and aiding the industry’s migration to digital and customized production.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2296-8016
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Materials
spelling doaj-art-3f2398a2a25847a195cfaaa613d2db142025-08-20T03:28:33ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Materials2296-80162025-07-011210.3389/fmats.2025.16057711605771Rapid mold optimization based on ultraviolet curing 3D printing technologyHanyu RaoXinyu BaiWen YanJie LiuInjection molding is the most common method for making plastic products. However, quick molds made with ultraviolet (UV) curing 3D printing frequently employ photosensitive resins with low mechanical strength, rendering plastic components prone to warpage deformation. To solve this issue, our research focuses on the design and development of fast molds using UV-curing 3D printing technology. A response surface model was used to explore the effect of different process parameters on component warpage, with the goal of minimizing deformation. An upgraded particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique was then created to fine-tune the process parameters and reduce warpage even more. The results revealed that raising injection pressure, reducing temperature, and prolonging holding time successfully reduced warpage. During the single-peak Schwefel function test, the modified PSO method displayed greater optimization capabilities, achieving convergence in around 40 iterations. Using the modified values, the maximum warpage was lowered by 0.55 mm. Experimental results demonstrate the suggested optimization model’s performance, allowing for increased mold design flexibility and aiding the industry’s migration to digital and customized production.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1605771/fullultraviolet curing 3D printingrapid moldparticle swarm optimization algorithmphotosensitive resinviscosity
spellingShingle Hanyu Rao
Xinyu Bai
Wen Yan
Jie Liu
Rapid mold optimization based on ultraviolet curing 3D printing technology
Frontiers in Materials
ultraviolet curing 3D printing
rapid mold
particle swarm optimization algorithm
photosensitive resin
viscosity
title Rapid mold optimization based on ultraviolet curing 3D printing technology
title_full Rapid mold optimization based on ultraviolet curing 3D printing technology
title_fullStr Rapid mold optimization based on ultraviolet curing 3D printing technology
title_full_unstemmed Rapid mold optimization based on ultraviolet curing 3D printing technology
title_short Rapid mold optimization based on ultraviolet curing 3D printing technology
title_sort rapid mold optimization based on ultraviolet curing 3d printing technology
topic ultraviolet curing 3D printing
rapid mold
particle swarm optimization algorithm
photosensitive resin
viscosity
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1605771/full
work_keys_str_mv AT hanyurao rapidmoldoptimizationbasedonultravioletcuring3dprintingtechnology
AT xinyubai rapidmoldoptimizationbasedonultravioletcuring3dprintingtechnology
AT wenyan rapidmoldoptimizationbasedonultravioletcuring3dprintingtechnology
AT jieliu rapidmoldoptimizationbasedonultravioletcuring3dprintingtechnology