Moldex3D bridges communication gap between simulation and manufacturingMoldex3D bridges communication gap between simulation and manufacturing

Many mold manufacturers will tell you that one of the big drawbacks to optimum mold design is a mold designer or mold builder's lack of knowledge about the molding process. Understanding process technology, including melt flow, mold heating and especially thermal conductivity/cooling of a mold, is critical to mold design and build.

Even mold filling software often does not present a clear picture due to the different interface setups between the mold-filling CAE software and the real-world injection molding machine. This poses a tricky challenge for CAE engineers to apply the parameter setups in CAE software to the actual UI setups in a real injection molding machine. This barrier might interfere with effective communication between engineers and machine operators.

Additionally, the dynamic response of an injection molding machine is not factored into the CAE simulation analysis, resulting in a discrepancy in simulation accuracy when comparing it with the actual molding. It's these two issues, notes Moldex3D, that have presented major challenges faced by many CAE engineers and machine operators in their daily work.

Now, Moldex3D has successfully bridged the communication gap between simulation and manufacturing with the latest breakthrough technology in CAE simulation. The Moldex3D Process Wizard supports the properties of molding machines for use in the injection molding simulation. CAE engineers can now complete the parameter setups in their familiar CAE interface first for running a simulation project. After attaining the simulation result, they can switch it to a real machine interface with ease.

Machine operators can clearly view all of the setting information. Users can further check the differences between the two interfaces any time with an easy switch. This technology enables different users to easily obtain relevant information from their familiar operating interface, and it greatly facilitates communication involving simulation and manufacturing.

In addition, Moldex3D provides an operating page of the real molding machine in order to include the machine's dynamic response in CAE simulation. Users can import the flow rate and pressure response data of the machine into the CAE interface. With this feature, the dynamic response of an injection machine can be factored into the actual CAE analysis, bringing the simulation results one step closer to the reality.

"Through this interface, moldmakers can communicate more effectively with the machine operators," said a Moldex3D spokesperson. "Considering the actual parameter setups of a real injection machine in injection molding simulation helps moldmakers understand the potential problems and further facilitates a more optimum mold design."

Moldex3D claims that it is the only CAE software available that has successfully incorporated widely applied injection molding machine interfaces into simulation, providing an accurate prediction of the dynamic response of a real machine.

Considering the dynamic response of an injection machine in CAE simulation not only helps users get a better understanding of a real molding scenario but also helps facilitate effective communication between simulation and manufacturing. With a more accurate prediction, a great deal of time, human effort and material and energy consumption spent on part/mold rework can be saved, said the company.