Simulation of ceramic injection molding for zirconia optical ferrule

Zirconia Ferrule is a key part for manufacturing fiber connectors. The ceramic injection molding (CIM) process of the optical ferrule was simulated with the commercial CAE software moldflow. In order to obtain the optimum results, the orthogonal method was introduced to discuss the influence of each parameter such as die temperature, melt temperature, ram speed and gate dimension with the two kinds of distribution layout system respectively. The simulation results show that the curved distribution runner system is more suitable than the rectangular distribution one in the optical ferrule molding. Moreover, the effect of gravity on the ceramic injection molding process was discussed for determining a more reasonable balanced runner system of the special designed two-plate mold with six die cavities. It was found that short shot occurred at the top of the die cavity while other five cavities were filled well in the original designed mold. And when the top die cavity's round runner with section diameter of 4.0mm was increased to 4.17 mm, each cavity was balanced filled without short shot.