Similar to SOLIDWORKS Simulation database you cannot directly modify the properties of materials existing in the database. You will have to first copy an existing material stored in the Default Database to the User-defined Database, and then modify its properties.

Once the material is copied over to the user-defined side, the properties can be modified as needed for analysis. The following list contains the twelve absolute minimum number of parameters that need to be defined for the custom plastic material to the database.  Please note we recommend the use of material supplier-published values.

1. ‘Polymer Product’
2. Melt Temperature’
3. ‘Mold Temperature’
4. ‘Part Ejection Temperature’
5. ‘Transition Temperature’
6. ‘Specific Heat’
7. ‘Thermal Conductivity’
8. ‘Viscosity’
9. ‘PVT’
10. ‘Thermal Expansion Coefficient’
11. ‘Young Modulus’
12. ‘Poisson’s Ratio’

To successfully define a custom plastics material to the SOLIDWORKS® Plastics ‘User-defined Database’, with all the parameters, users can include the general material data as well such as Melt temperature, Mold temperature, part ejection temperature, Glass transition temperature, Specific heat, thermal conductivity, viscosity, % fiber for materials with fiber and many more as discussed in SW Plastics Training and Help topics. if material etc.

When you don’t have the material properties for certain polymers, you can use the search option inside the database to find another material of similar grade by enabling search by various parameters such as melt temperature, ejection temperature etc.

In addition, if the required family of materials does not exist, you can add a new Polymer family as well.

For Thermoset polymers, the database stores the following material properties, if they are available from the manufacturers:

• PVT data for the cured and uncured states.
• Heat of Reaction and Induction Time Constants.
• Ejection Conversion and Initial Conversion.

The solver is also enhanced to account for these additional material properties (when available) to improve the accuracy of Fill, Pack, and Warp simulations.

There is also an option to import the material file such as in Excel spreadsheet format or Materiality XML format.

Similarly, a user-defined custom material or entire dataset of customized materials can be exported as shown in image below.

This option to customize materials as needed in SOLIDWORKS Plastics enables you to perform realistic plastics simulation and predict defects early in the product design phase, thereby avoiding costly mold rework.

The post Creating custom polymer material in SOLIDWORKS Plastics appeared first on The Javelin Blog.

There are many different results that we can solve for in SOLIDWORKS Plastics for the different stages of injection molding like fill, pack, cool, and warp. The results advisor can describe whether or not the filling process will fail or potentially fail given the molding machine parameters we have specified. Analyzing things like short shots, results like frozen layer fraction at end of fill are key. For those that are unfamiliar with any parameter the results advisor provides definitions, and key contributing factors to help understand the molding process without even leaving the software. This can be a huge time saver and teaching tool for those unfamiliar with injection molding.

Example: Frozen Layer Fraction at End of Fill

Example: Shear Rate at End of Fill

To use the results advisor simply solve the analysis and open any of the results categories. When you have the results open click on the question mark at the bottom of the results tab.

If you want to learn more about SOLIDWORKS Plastics look out on all our platforms for more blogs and webinars or contact your local TriMech resource to learn more about training options!

The post How does SolidWorks Plastics Help You Learn More About Injection Molding? appeared first on The Javelin Blog.

Design Analysis

Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Design Analysis employs the finite element analysis (FEA) method to simulate physical behavior of a product design. The FEA process consists of subdividing all systems into individual components or “elements” whose behavior is easily understood and then reconstructing the original system from these components. This is a natural way of performing analysis in engineering and even in other analytical fields, such as economics. For example, a control arm on a car suspension is one continuous shape. An analysis application will test the control arm by dividing the geometry into ‘elements,’ analyzing them, then simulating what happens between the elements. The application displays the results as colour-coded 3D images, red usually denoting an area of failure, and blue denoting areas that maintain their integrity under the load applied.

Design Analysis can be applied to just about anything

Engineers analyze just about every type of product development and research effort imaginable. Analyzing machine designs, injection molded plastics, cooling systems, products that emit electromagnetic fields, and systems that are influenced by fluid dynamics are just some examples of how companies leverage design analysis.

In the field of mechanical engineering, design analysis can solve a wide range of product development problems. Engineers can use design analysis to predict the physical behavior of just about any part or assembly under any loading conditions: from a simple beam under a bending load to car crash simulations and vibration analysis of aircraft. The true power of design analysis is the ability to perform any of these types of studies accurately without building a single thing. All that is needed is a CAD model.

Stress Analysis

The most common design analysis application in the field of mechanical engineering is stress analysis. Engineers study the stresses (both structural and thermal) on a part to determine whether it will fail or not and whether design modifications are necessary to overcome potential problems. Design analysis can be used in a wide variety of fields, here are just a few examples:

• Determine the potential for deformation of parts
• Measure resonant frequencies and modes of vibration of parts and assemblies
• Calculate dynamic and seismic responses
• Determine Contact stresses
• Provide temperature distribution.
• Analyze fluid flow, whether it be a gas or liquid in a pipeline, the mixture of air and fuel in an engine intake manifold, or molten plastic filling up a mold.

Motion Analysis & Electromagnetics

Besides working very closely with CAD packages, commercial design analysis applications also interface with increasingly popular programs for motion analysis to create complete virtual analysis and test systems. In other engineering disciplines, design analysis is used to study electromagnetic fields, soil mechanics, groundwater flow, bone growth, etc.

SOLIDWORKS Simulation Software for Design Analysis

With powerful and intuitive SOLIDWORKS® Simulation solutions, product engineers can virtually test new ideas, quickly and efficiently evaluate performance, improve quality, and get the knowledge for product innovation.

View Simulation solutions

The post What is Design Analysis? appeared first on The Javelin Blog.

• Has my plastic part design been optimized to ensure optimal cycle time?
• How can I reduce tooling costs, lead time and eliminate tooling revisions?
• How can SolidWorks Simulation Technology leverage my Scientific Molding process?

Andy Routsis

SOLIDWORKS Plastics brings injection molding simulation directly to the designers of plastic parts and injection molds. You can evaluate the manufacturability of your parts and molds at the same time you design for form, fit, and function. With more than 30 years of experience in plastics training and consulting, Andy Routsis, joined by the SOLIDWORKS technical team, will teach you how to address plastic part design challenges from both business and engineering perspectives; including topics such as the importance of gate type and location, steps to reduce mold lead times and optimize cycle time, and how you can predict and minimize warpage.

To learn more about SOLIDWORKS Plastics products, click here.

Date: Tuesday November 7, 2017

Time: 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM EST

By registering and attending this event, you will receive a 15-day online access to ‘Establishing a Scientific Injection Molding Process’ course [a $97value] and an accompanying Study Guide.

Take a First Look at SOLIDWORKS Plastics

The post SOLIDWORKS Plastics: Leveraging Smart Data for Optimal Plastic Part Design & Manufacturability [LIVE WEBINAR] appeared first on The Javelin Blog.

SOLIDWORKS Plastics for Designers – Real World Correlation

In this 15 minute video, Brian Zias (Senior Technical Manager, DS SOLIDWORKS) introduces the insights you can gain as a designer of plastic parts using SOLIDWORKS Plastics.

Watch this video to learn:

• What this Injection Molding Simulation Software can do
• How you can use it as part of your design process
• How it compares with physical results

In this video; with the use of an injection molded part, we can see how this software predicts:

• Flow front visualization
• Fill time
• Sink Marks
• Weld Lines
• Warpage

With SOLIDWORKS Plastics you can evaluate the manufacturability of your parts and molds at the same time you design for form, fit, and function.

Intuitive Workflow and Design Advice

SOLIDWORKS Plastics works directly on your 3D model, so there are no translation issues. You can make changes to your model and see the impact right away. The state-of the-art meshing system is powerful and fast, and covers a range of geometries, from thin-walled parts to very thick and solid parts.

If you are interested in seeing how this software can help you design plastic parts with more accuracy and confidence, please contact us today.

Learn more about SOLIDWORKS Plastics

The post How Accurate is SOLIDWORKS Plastics? [VIDEO] appeared first on The Javelin Blog.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

— Lao Tzu, Ancient Chinese philosopher and writer

The first step for any designer or engineer starts at the learning level. The first, best step, for anyone entering a design or engineering program is SOLIDWORKS. As the industry leader, SOLIDWORKS allows students to create and innovate to bring about the latest and greatest new idea.

SOLIDWORKS Education Edition 2017 has many new inclusions that allow for creating, among many disciplines, staff and faculty can also take advantage of the certifications and sharing services available in this software suite.

Take a look at What’s New and feel free to contact us to learn more:

The post What’s New in SOLIDWORKS Education Edition 2016-2017 [VIDEO] appeared first on The Javelin Blog.

At a SOLIDWORKS Simulation event you will learn:

• Is the stress actually that high?  Automatic Stress Hotspot Detection will help you find out.
• New Simulation Display makes your simulation images better than ever.
• Flow Simulation has amazing new features like multi-variable optimization.
• Injection Molding with SOLIDWORKS Plastics has never been easier.  An improved UI, better meshing controls and automatic control valves mean you can do more, faster!
• Many more exciting features!

Everyone who attends a SOLIDWORKS Simulation event will receive a complimentary:

• 30 day evaluation of any SOLIDWORKS Simulation products.
• 1 hour mentoring session with one of our SOLIDWORKS Simulation engineers ($500 value)

Register for an upcoming event near you:

Meet the Presenter: Peter Kjellbotn, Simulation Product Manager

Peter Kjellbotn

Peter has a strong background in 3D design and analysis with SOLIDWORKS. He works closely with hundreds of companies in Alberta to provide solutions and guidance for mechanical design and manufacturing. He was born and raised in Edmonton, and holds a BSc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alberta. He started his career in the Calgary manufacturing industry, doing product and process engineering before moving back to Edmonton to pursue a career with Javelin.

SOLIDWORKS 2017 Resources

Access our resources page to get everything you need to learn what’s new in SOLIDWORKS 2017; including tech tips, demonstrations, and upcoming product webinars.

WHAT’S NEW RESOURCES

The post Save Time, Money, and Headaches at a SOLIDWORKS Simulation 2017 Event appeared first on The Javelin Blog.

SOLIDWORKS Plastics

Avoid the pitfalls of choosing the wrong material for your plastic products

Learn a basic methodology for understanding the different types of plastics available and how customization of those materials can affect physical properties, chemical resistance and processability, by using SOLIDWORKS Plastics to analyze and visualize polymer melt flow.

Get it right the first time – choose the best plastic for your application

In just 22 minutes, you can learn how to determine the best plastics materials for your specific application based on:

• Physical strength
• Chemical resistance
• Impact strength
• Surface appearance
• Recyclability
• Cost of material

WATCH THE VIDEO

The post Which plastic is best for your products? Find out with SOLIDWORKS appeared first on The Javelin Blog.

Designers, moldmakers, and manufacturing professionals can leverage SOLIDWORKS® Plastics mold-filling simulation software to optimize parts for manufacturability. Refine tooling to improve quality, and shorten cycle times to reduce manufacturing costs.

Virtual testing with SOLIDWORKS Plastics

While plastic part design is complex, consistently producing injection-molded parts free of manufacturing defects is possible with some preparation. How do you practice for the injection molding process? The answer: Virtual testing with SOLIDWORKS Plastics mold injection simulation software.

SOLIDWORKS Plastics software

Whether you design parts, create molds, or manage injection-molded production, SOLIDWORKS Plastics solutions will help you resolve your injection molding process challenges in software—rather than through costly, time-consuming prototyping iterations—so you can consistently achieve your product development and manufacturing objectives.

Download the White Paper below to learn how designers, mold makers and manufacturers can save time and money by testing before injecting.

The post Will your design pass the injection molding process? Check with SOLIDWORKS Plastics appeared first on The Javelin Blog.

Causes 

•     Incorrect processing parameters
•     Mold Issue
•     Injection molding machine issue
•     Part design issue
•     Poor plastic material selection

Solution

Using SOLIDWORKS Plastics software for injection molding analysis, designers and engineers can detect issues such as warpage before molds are created, avoiding costly mold rework and achieve huge cost savings.

SOLIDWORKS Plastics warpage detection tool

Incorrect processing parameters

Processing parameters such as injection rate, cooling time and  melt temperature can be tweaked using SOLIDWORKS Plastics. The figure below depicts multiple process parameters available for designer or the engineer to view after the simulation process.

Simulation Post Processing Results

Mold Issue

Uneven cooling, ejection, wrong gate location, gate too small are some of the causes that need to be rectified. Using Plastics simulation post processing results plots can be viewed which helps the user to determine the correct parameters for the injection process. Also SOLIDWORKS Plastic offers the user to perform multiple what if scenarios such as changing injection location anywhere in the mold cavity to get the best result.

Material Injection Location Setup Tool

Part Design Issue

Using SOLIDWORKS Plastics, the user can determine the issues with the part design and geometry. Since Plastics is nicely integrated into the SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD package, users can perform design changes such as length, height, width dimensions as well as thickness and also removing and adding material wherever required by just switching tabs. This easy of use eliminates cumbersome tasks such as importing files into different simulation and analysis packages saving huge amounts of time and costs.

Poor Plastic Material Selection

As mentioned above, multiple what if scenarios can be used in SOLIDWORKS Plastics for simulation. This includes simulating the injection mold filling process from a wide selection of materials. SOLIDWORKS Plastics offers over 4000 + grades of materials for simulation purposes.

Material Selection Library

Learn more about SOLIDWORKS Plastics

Raise the quality of your products, and reduce costs for physical prototypes and testing by easily subjecting your designs to real world conditions using SOLIDWORKS Plastics.

The post Troubleshooting Injection Molding Warpage with SOLIDWORKS Plastics appeared first on The Javelin Blog.