PLASTIC ARTICLE FORMING APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING MELT FLOW IN REAL TIME USING ADDITIVES

摘要

A process of forming molded articles using an injection molding apparatus (10) is provided. The process includes providing a thermoplastic material to the injection molding apparatus. The thermoplastic material is heated such that the thermoplastic material is in a molten state. The molten thermoplastic material (24) is injected into at least one mold cavity (32) of the injection molding apparatus using an injection element (30). Melt pressure of the thermoplastic material filling the at least one mold cavity (32) is monitored using a sensor (52). The sensor provides a signal indicative of melt pressure to a controller (50). The controller (50) controls introduction of a non-reactive additive (51) to the thermoplastic material thereby changing a viscosity of the molten thermoplastic material based on the signal. A molded article is formed by reducing a mold temperature of the thermoplastic material within the at least one mold cavity.