SOLIDWORKS Plastics:Insert molding

SOLIDWORKS Plastics brings easy-to-use injection molding simulation directly to the designers of plastic parts and injection molds, as well as advanced CAE analysis. It simulates how melted plastic flows during the injection molding process to predict manufacturing-related defects on parts and molds. You can quickly evaluate manufacturability while you design, to eliminate costly mold rework, improve part quality, and accelerate time to market. A Results Adviser provides troubleshooting steps and practical design advice to help diagnose and avoid potential problems.

Lets consider a cavity and insert scenario, similar to the keys we carry around everyday. The metallic insert (key) is incased in plastic and we are trying to figure out what does it take to produce thisi configuration using injection molding process. Come to think of it there are many such examples in our day to day lives. eg knives, remote controls, toys etc. 

 

1

 

This is a two part model with the yellow being plastic and blue part is metal. In SOLIDWORKS Plastics I can identify the 2 parts separately during mesh and define them as cavity and insert. SOLIDWORKS Plastics generates tetrahedral mesh to capture geometry.

2We then specify Fill, Pack, Cool and Warp conditions. Using the built in animation tool a user can figure out the fill pattern and time. Other Fill parameters such as Pressure, Temperature, material damage, Volumetric Shrinkage, Ideal Cooling time are calculated as well.  

3

Pack tool calculate what happens in the cavity during pack stage of injection molding process. Residual stress calculated during Pack analysis is a key indicator of warpage. When doing what-if analysis to figure out ideal thickness, material and process parameters etc, it is critical to make sure the residual stresses are going down to ensure design improvement. Residual stress is the stress left in the material due to injection molding process. 

4SolidWorks® Plastics makes it easy for companies that design plastic parts or injection molds to predict and avoid manufacturing defects during the earliest stages of design, eliminating costly rework, improving quality, and accelerating time-to-market. Fully integrated with SOLIDWORKS CAD, this intuitive software helps part designers, mold designers, and mold makers optimize designs for manufacturability without leaving their familiar 3D design experience.

Rajat Trehan

Product Manager

Computer Aided Technology Inc.

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