Mo-PHS-06 - Robust In-Cavity Thin-Film Temperature Sensor Array for Real-Time Flow-Front Monitoring in Recycled Material Injection Molding

Event
EUROSENSORS 2026
2026-09-06 - 2026-09-09
Zurich
Band
Poster
Chapter
Physical Sensors
Author(s)
M. Rekowski, L. Zhao, A. Schott, C. Herrmann - Fraunhofer IST,Braunschweig (Germany)
Pages
554 - 555
DOI
10.5162/eurosensors2026/Mo-PHS-06
ISBN
978-3-910600-12-6
Price
free

Abstract

We propose a robust thin ‑ film sensing system for in ‑ mold monitoring during injection molding of PP– glass fiber and recycled ‑ content materials. A compact array of resistive temperature sensors is integrated directly on the tool surface with a total layer thickness below 10 µm. The thin ‑ film stack withstands high shear and abrasive glass ‑ fiber flow while showing no drift. Spatiotemporal analysis of the temperature signals across the array provides real ‑ time estimates of local flow ‑ front velocity and direction. Experiments over 500 cycles with varied parameters demonstrate durable operation. The approach supports data ‑ driven process optimization, reduced ramp ‑ up scrap, and future closed ‑ loop process control.