Experimentation for

Heating Parameter
Design and PMMA
Characterization on
a Hot Embossing
Set-up

Heating Experiments
Objective :
Check uniformity of heating.
Record the time to heat a block to a certain
temperature (200 deg C).
Compare experimental results (uniformity and
time) with ANSYS analysis.
Extrapolate results for the original heating
blocks.

Experimental Setup

Heating mode: Heating cartridges (Power 1kW).

Specimen : Two-hole and four-hole blocks.

Temperature sensor : J type Thermocouple.

Data Acquisition and monitoring: LabVIEW.

Miscellaneous : Relays, power source, etc.

Experimental Setup
(Cont..)

Thermal Analysis
(Heating)
Water inlet

3.65

Water outlet

13

12

10.00
7

Temperature distribution for the experimental

block with two heating cartridges

11

10

Thermocouple locations
on the block

Temperature Profile
(Heating)

Comparison of temperature profile obtained

at location 7 from thermal analysis and experimental data

Temperature Difference
(Heating)

Temperature difference plot between thermocouple

locations 8 and 3

Temperature Profile
(Cooling)

Temperature profile at thermocouple location 7 during cooling

(volume flow rate of 0.52 gpm of water)

Temperature Difference
(Cooling)

Temperature difference plot between thermocouple locations 1 and 4

PMMA Characterization
Objective :

Obtain stress-strain curves for Poly methyl

methacrylate (PMMA) at different
temperatures.

Calculate Youngs modulus from the available

data.

Find glass transition temperature PMMA.

Important Embossing
Parameters

Temperature of embossing
Viscosity of the polymer is directly proportional to the
temperature.

Pressure
Embossing pressure depends on the depth of
embossing.

Speed of embossing
Speed of embossing controls flow of the polymer.

PMMA Properties
Stress strain curves are nonlinear.
Glass transition temperature has significant
effect in properties of PMMA.
At elevated temperatures:

Modulus (Compressive) values drop.

Compressive strength drops.
Creep effects increase.

Stress-Strain
Curve

Stress-Strain curve for PMMA obtained using a

cylindrical tool of 1 diameter

E variation with
Temperature

Variation of Youngs Modulus with temperature obtained

using two different tool sizes

Specimen Pictures

Conclusions

Experiments show good temperature uniformity

on the experimental block.

Experimental temperature profile and simulation

(ANSYS) profile are similar.

E values for PMMA drops with temperature.

E drops substantially after 105 deg C indicating

the glass transition temperature.

Future Work
Polymer behavior

Williams-Landel-Ferry (WLF)
equation

(T )
C1 (T T0 )

log 0
C2 T T0
0 (T0 )

0 S 2 1 1
tf
2
2

2 p h f h0

Time to fill a cavity

Polymer flow during Embossing

Hot Embossing Machine

Mini-Vacuum Chamber
Mini

vacuum chamber used to provide a clean and

moisture free environment during embossing.
Mini vacuum chamber can accommodate an 8
substrate.