SMC Mould/SMC Tooling

What is SMC(sheet molding compound)?

SMC is a mixture of polymer resin, inert fillers (calcium carbonate, talc or wollastonite), fibre reinforcement, catalysts, pigments, stabilizers, release agents, and thickeners. The glass reinforcement is between 10% and 60%, and the fiber length is slightly longer than that of the bulk molding compounds (BMC). SMC production method assures full integration of fibres and resins. Manufacturing of SMC is a continuous in-line process. Generally: Sheet molding compound made of fibre impregnated with resin paste or chopped fibre mat covered with polyhexene film on both sides.

What Is SMC Mould?

SMC mould is high-strength, high hardness mould made of steel plates with polished surfaces to ensure the surface quality of the SMC moulded parts. The main feature of this mould is that it is made by using a compression process in order to compress the SMC material into the final product. SMC compression moulding usually use a hydraulic press machine, and the cavity and core are fixed to the top and bottom platens. When the material is placed into the open mould, the platens close, the mould gets heated, and then the press pressure forces the SMC material to flow all over the mould.

Key points of SMC mould design

• •   The color of compounds can be customized.
• •   In-mould coatings and a vacuum system are available to improve surface paintability, eliminating the need for primer.
• •   Parting line and the shear edge of mould design; Design of ribs and inserts;Mould surface roughness;Draft angle.
• •   The working temperature of SMC compression machine is usually 140 degrees to 160 degrees.
• •   Male and female moulds are made from high-quality steel except when temperature is less than 400 psi.
• •   SMC mould requires heated channels. The normal heating system is steam, oil, electricity or high-pressure water.

SMC compression moulding processing

What is SMC compression moulding? SMC compression moulding is an advanced composite material moulding method. SMC moulding process is continuous and can produce high strength, complex parts in a wide variety of sizes. SMC moulding takes place in a device called “compression moulding press,” which is usually hydraulically powered. when the  material charge is placed in the mould,the heated mould halves close and the pressure up to 2,000psi is applied. Cycle time ranges from one to five minutes, depending on the size and thickness of the part. Components such as ribs, bosses and inserts can be formed by compression molding. Compression moulding can be used to create even more complex, detailed SMC parts with great accuracy.

When we start to press SMC products, we first need to fix SMC tooling on the platen of the press, heat the SMC tooling, and then put the SMC material into the opening mold, setup SMC tooling molding process parameters such as pressure, curve time, opening&closing Speed, etc. Then, close the tooling. After the SMC tooling molded product is demolded, take out the product from SMC tooling.

SMC mould manufacturer

As a China SMC mould manufacturer, MDC has been working on this field for a long time and has successfully developed projects such as SMC bathtub mould, SMC shower tray mould, SMC wash basin mould and so on.  In the meantime, with the investment of the 4000T press machine, MDC is able to meet customers' requirements of try-out for parts even smaller than 3,500x3, 200MM. You can use our capabilities in mould design, mould making, and mould testing to meet your need. Our customers are Mercedes Benz, Audi, GM, etc.

The advantages of SMC finished products are as follows:

Compression moulded SMC parts are characterized by their size and shape, excellent finished surfaces, and outstanding part-to-part repeatability.

• •   Pigmentable for moulded-in color.
• •   Trimming and finishing costs are minimal.
• •   Good dimensional stability, thermal resistance,chemical resistance.
• •   SMC precision moulds with a mirror finish are capable of meeting automotive-grade A-grade surfaces.
• •   A wide variety of SMC material ratios enable parts to meet the needs of the use environment better.
• •   Approximately 50% nominal weight reduction compared to metal and approximately 30% reduction compared to other thermoplastics.

Resource

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2-CAVITY TRANSFER MOLD FOR 3P FD BASE

China SMC molds project

MDC products introduction

Some cases of SMC molds made by MDC

SMC mold heat treatment technology

How to manufacture and produce SMC molds more professional?

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