Simulation optimization applied to injection molding

In this work, a simulation optimization method developed by Villarreal and Cabrera-Rios (2007) is applied to injection molding. The method uses design of experiments and adaptive metamodeling techniques. The application of the method to several global optimization test functions as well as non linear polynomial and non polynomial functions point towards a quick convergence to highly attractive solutions with a low number of simulations. Here the method is used to select the best processing conditions for injection molding a simple rectangular plaque and a real automotive part using different performance criteria.