A Computational Model for Continuous Cooling of Injection Moulding Processes

This paper discusses the approaches and techniques used to build a realistic numerical model to analyse the cooling phase of the injection moulding process. The procedures employed to select an appropriate mesh and the boundary and initial conditions for the problem are discussed and justified. The final model is validated using direct comparisons with experimental results generated in an earlier study. The model is shown to be a useful tool for further studies aimed at optimising the cooling phase of the injection moulding process. Using the numerical model provides additional information relating to changes in conditions throughout the process, which otherwise could not be deduced or assessed experimentally. These results, and other benefits related to the use of the model, are also discussed in the paper

Optimisation of Continuous and Pulsed Cooling in Injection Moulding Processes

The concept of pulsed cooling in injection moulding involves cycling the flow of coolant in order that cooling only takes place as and when it is required, as opposed to continuous cooling, where the coolant in run through the channels throughout the entire process. It is claimed that using the pulsed cooling method, with reduced temperature coolants, may reduce cycle times and overall energy consumption for the injection moulding process, when compared with continuous cooling. It is also suggested that this is not at the expense of component integrity since common defects such as warpage, which could come about due to non-uniform cooling of the component, or impedance of flow of the polymer into the mould cavity during injection, do not normally appear. The study described in this paper uses a previously validated numerical model in order to optimise the cooling phase of the injection moulding process, for both continuous and pulsed cooling, in order to assess the advantages and disadvantages of each method, with respect to cycle times. In addition, the optimisations were carried out with a view to improving cycle times experimentally, taking into consideration the findings of the study

Translation of the Diabetes Prevention Program to Ethnic Communities in the United States

The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), an evidenced-based lifestyle intervention for type 2 diabetes (T2D), has been translated for use with ethnic minority communities throughout the United States that are disproportionately at-risk for T2D. The present paper sought to critically review ethnic translation studies of the DPP with respect to translation methods utilized, the success of these methods, and alternative or supplemental methodologies for future translation efforts. Manuscripts reviewed were found by searching PubMed and PsycINFO, using the terms: "diabetes prevention program" AND ["translation" or "ethnic"]. Of 89 papers found, only 6 described ethnic translations of the DPP in the United States, and were included in this review. Translations of the DPP to African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, Arab American, and American Indian and Native Alaskan communities were identified and reviewed. The most common translation strategies included group-based delivery and use of bilingual study personnel. Generally, these factors appeared to increase acceptability of the intervention within the ethnic communities reviewed, and should be considered in future efforts to implement and translate the DPP to ethnic communities in the United States