Injection moulding is a very popular plastic transformation process to produce complex parts, since a mould is capable to reproduce different shapes, and also due to its economic advantages for large series. However, defects can appear into the pieces, leading to reject them in the quality control.
In order to control these defects, it is necessary to know the influence of the injection parameters on the quality of the part. Several researchers applied Design of Experiments (DOE) methods to injection process, with good results for test or lab specimens, but many industrial parts usually have more complex geometries or singularities.
This paper introduces a case study focused on the application of DOE in a complex part because it has an integrated hinge. In this case study, the weight and pressure curves (hydraulic and specific) are analysed depending on the variation of process parameters. The authors would show that the analysis has found a strong influence of the geometry on the results which sometimes are different to the expected ones.
In authors’ opinion, the use of this procedure it still is a challenge, and this example could assist future attempts to create new expert systems in injection moulding.