Reference no: EM132509976 , Length: word count:2000
CPE7012-B Polymer and Materials Engineering - University of Bradford
Feasibility report on the development of an injection moulded bio-based polymer product
Coursework Brief
You are working as a process engineer for a company who manufacture polymeric products for the building industry. The company has decided that it would like to start to manufacture a promotional ball point pen emblazoned with the company logo and contact details. For marketing purposes the company wish to produce the pen from a bio-based polymer, of which it has no previous experience with using. PLA has been suggested as a potential polymer.
You have been tasked with writing a feasibility report to the company's technical director about the project. This should include an overview of PLA, in particular, its structure, properties and applications. You should also research alternative bio-based materials, and suggest whether PLA could be modified, either with additives or as a co-polymer to improve properties. The report should also cover the feasibility of injection moulding the body of the pen - the company are willing to invest in a small injection moulding machine for this purpose but have little experience the size of machine required or the type of mould tool needed. In addition you are tasked with evaluating the mechanics of the proposed pen design to ensure that it is fit for purpose. Your report should also cover any characterisation techniques the company may wish to consider investing in to ensure the quality of the product; either to characterise the polymer or the moulded product. As sustainability is important, the company also wish you to think about end of life of the product so your report should examine whether the moulded pens could be recycled or if they could be made to be sufficiently biodegradable to be composted.
Aim:
The aim of the coursework is to assess the ability of students to collate and apply information and perform problem solving tasks based on concepts covered within the module. These include polymer structure and properties, processing, characterisation, solid mechanics and sustainability aspects.
Learning Outcome 1: Ability to research and demonstrate knowledge about the use of bio-based polymers
Learning Outcome 2: Ability to analyse and solve problems based on solid mechanics and polymer flow
Learning Outcome 3: Understanding of sustainability aspects applied to manufacturing of polymeric products
The report:
A guide to the expected length of the report is 1500 - 2000 words.
You will not be penalised for going slightly over this limit but the report should not be overlong. Do not include content just for the sake of it; appendices can be used to incorporate extra information if you are limited for space.
Your report should include:
• A brief background of bio-based polymers, available types, properties and applications
• Information about PLLA and its copolymers and any additives which can be used to improve properties
• A brief overview of injection moulding with a consideration of what type of mould tool design would be required to manufacture a simple cylindrical pen body. A basic analysis of the conditions during injection should be performed, using the rheological material parameters provided below (i.e. calculation of shear rates, pressure drop etc.)
• Consideration of the mechanics of the moulded pen body, including an analysis of bending moment and creep
• Consideration of the characterisation techniques the company could consider using to ensure the quality of both the incoming polymer and the moulded product
• Consideration of sustainability; whether the moulded products can be recycled or composted
• Conclusions and recommendations - a summary of the findings of the study and a suggestion of how the company should progress
• References - remember to cite these in the body of your report
Attachment:- Polymer and Materials Engineering.rar