2. Design and Evaluation of Production Cells: Students can design, describe, and critically evaluate production cells for advanced injection molding techniques, such as LSR production, reaction injection molding (RIM), and optical part manufacturing. (k5)

3. Optimization and Troubleshooting of Injection Molding: Students can identify and propose solutions to challenges in injection molding processes, including gas/water-assisted molding, powder injection molding (PIM), and coining, while ensuring consistent product quality. (k6)

4. Integration of Software and Technology: Students can describe and evaluate the role of software assistants in maintaining shot weight consistency, determining optimal clamping force, and improving process stability. (k4, k5)

◦ Compare physical and chemical foaming processes, including required equipment and their effects on the injection molding cycle. (k4)

◦ Select suitable processes for density reduction and analyze their advantages and limitations. (k5)

2. Process Design and Optimization:

◦ Design injection unit arrangements and tool concepts for multi-color injection molding. (k4)

◦ Optimize processing parameters for fiber-reinforced plastics to achieve long fiber lengths, considering screw design, process settings, and tool design. (k5)

3. Advanced Process Characterization:

◦ Evaluate co-injection and sandwich molding processes, including the design of melt conduction systems and operational cycles. (k5)

◦ Analyze gas/water-assisted injection molding, including process variations and their advantages/disadvantages. (k4)

4. Production Cell Development:

◦ Design production cells for processes like reaction injection molding (RIM) and optical part production, considering peripheral equipment, tooling concepts, and clamping systems. (k5)

◦ Develop concepts for the economic production of thick-walled lenses. (k5)

5. Software Application in Process Control:

◦ Utilize software assistants to maintain shot weight consistency and determine optimal clamping forces, describing monitored and adapted parameters. (k4)

6. Advanced Troubleshooting and Quality Assurance:

◦ Identify production defects such as gas entrapment or weight variations, and propose technical solutions for removal or correction. (k5, k6)

◦ Evaluate degassing techniques, comparing their efficiency and suitability for specific applications. (k5)

◦ Differences between physical and chemical foaming, including equipment requirements, advantages, and disadvantages. (k2)

2. Advanced Molding Processes:

◦ Fundamentals of multi-color molding, co-injection, sandwich molding, gas-assisted, and water-assisted injection molding. (k3)

◦ Equipment configurations and tool concepts for advanced processes. (k3)

3. Material-Specific Considerations:

◦ Processing of fiber-reinforced plastics for long fiber lengths. (k3)

◦ Rheological and thermal considerations in manufacturing optical parts and thick-walled lenses. (k3)

4. Reaction Injection Molding (RIM):

◦ Clamping and tooling concepts for RIM production cells. (k3)

◦ Key differences in machinery compared to thermoplastic molding. (k3)

5. Process Variations and Software Tools:

◦ Functionality of software assistants for maintaining shot weight consistency and clamping force optimization. (k3)

◦ Process variations in gas/water-assisted molding and their implications. (k3)

6. Defect Prevention and Troubleshooting:

◦ Degassing techniques and their effectiveness in improving product quality. (k3)

◦ Factors influencing process stability, such as gas entrapment and weight consistency. (k3)