Side Viewing Interferometric Probe Alignment for near Vertical Steel Sidewalls
Aligning side-viewing optical probes on vertical steel sidewalls requires tip-tilt control within 0.05 degrees to preserve coherence fringe visibility.
Steel Sidewall Metrology
Meaning
Dimensional measurement of the vertical and near-vertical faces of machined mold components assesses the accuracy of the steel forming walls. During the tooling fabrication phase, steel sidewall metrology confirms that the electrical discharge machining or high-speed milling processes have produced the correct taper and wall position. This verification secures the precise alignment of the mold halves, preventing flash during the injection phase.
Dimensional Validation
Toolmakers use this dimensional scan to check for taper variations that could cause the molded parts to stick in the cavity. Because the steel sidewall metrology detects microscopic deviations from the design draft angle, it allows for correction of the mold geometry before the tool is hardened. This preventative calibration avoids the costly and time-consuming rework required to fix a finished, hardened steel mold.
Wear Tracking
Abrasive resins and high injection pressures cause progressive wear on the steel sidewalls of the mold gate and cavity over time. Monitoring these areas ensures that the cavity volume and part weight remain within the specified part tolerance limits. Utilizing regrind polymers accelerates this wear because of potential hard contaminants, making continuous sidewall inspections necessary for maintaining part quality.
Quality Consistency
Non-contact optical probes provide rapid scans of the vertical surfaces without risk of scratching the steel. This automated measurement ensures the molding process remains within control limits across multiple runs.