Mold flow of sheet molding compound

Mold flow of sheet molding compound (SMC) is investigated by using a rectangular mold of 500 x 1000 mm attached with some sensors at various points in the mold and using a 500 ton press with a leveling control device. Molding conditions and the compositions of SMC are varied in order to investigate the mold flow. We find that some check points of temperatures, pressure and location displacements are very important to predict the mold flow and the gel state of SMC in the mold. Mold flow and gel state of SMC in the mold can be investigated accurately by close examination of the variation of pressure, temperatures and location displacements.