Quick Profile Die Balancing of Automotive Rubber Seal Extrusion by CAE Technology

The extrusion process of a type of automotive rubber seal was considered by using Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) technology. Based on the die balancing requirement, CAE technology was utilized to speed up the die development and balancing process. The rubber material was EPDM and unacceptable extrusion deformation was found by using a parallel die. More balancing dies were then designed following the procedures proposed by the die balancing method and the effect of them was evaluated with respect to CAE analytical results. It was found that the addition of an opening section in the die would provide a more uniform velocity distribution at the die exit than the parallel die. The length of opening section was also found to affect the die balancing and so an optimum length of the opening section was determined by CAE analysis. Further optimization of the die was carried out by adjusting the local length of the opening section. Finally, a real die was cut based on the optimization results and used for production. Ideal profile products were obtained and very small and acceptable deviation from the die was observed, which validated the advantage and accuracy of CAE technology combined with die balancing requirement.