Patent ID: 9097565
Filing Date: 2015-08-04
Classification: B29C,G01F,G01N

Abstract:
1. A material characterization system for quantifying the characteristics of a thermoplastic material melted into a fluid state by a plasticating injection unit, the system comprising: a tool comprising a first tool half, a second tool half, a plurality of flowing material characterization channels on an adjustable and removable cartridge, and a feed runner having a flow path to said plasticating injection unit; said tool is at a temperature that causes phase changes from fluid to solid to occur in at least a portion of the material being characterized and that enables a solidification of the material in said flowing material characterization channel; each of said plurality of flowing material characterization channels having a first end, a second end, and a predefined channel cross-section geometry; said feed runner connectable to a single said flowing material characterization channel in succession at said first end, extending the flow path from the plasticating injection unit to said flowing material characterization channel; said tool is adjustable to disconnect said feed runner from said flowing material characterization channel and connect said feed runner to a different flowing material characterization channel; and a sensor for quantifying the characteristics of the material under different flow conditions.