Product category:
Mould and die making, machining, CAD/CAM, software
News Release from: Moldflow (Europe) | Subject: Structural analyses for plastics parts moulding
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 20 June 2007
Structural analyses improved for
plastics parts
Moldflow Structural Alliance allows Abaqus and ANSYS users to significantly improve the quality and accuracy of their structural analyses for plastics parts.
Moldflow Corporation has released Moldflow Structural Alliance (MSA) 1.0 MSA allows Abaqus and ANSYS users to significantly improve the quality and accuracy of their structural analyses for plastics parts
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 5 May 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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Moldflow Manufacturing Solutions integrates a series of applications based on Moldflow Plastics Xpert and Moldflow Shotscope.
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Exchanging Process Set-up Data between Design Analysis and Manufacturing Solutions Tools
MSA is able to map Moldflow Plastics Advisers (MPA) or Moldflow Plastics Insight (MPI) results to any 3D structural analysis, especially those involving fiber-filled materials.
The mapping feature sets up a mesh-independent link between the injection molding simulation model and the structural analysis model.
This makes it very easy to experiment with different materials and design options and automatically analyze the effects on the structural integrity of the model without adding additional time to the analysis in Abaqus and ANSYS.
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Radici Plastics Finds Confidence in MPI
Radici Plastics Finds Confidence in MPI Comparison with Molded Parts
Diam France Increases Productivity with Celltrack
Diam France Increases Productivity with Moldflow's Celltrack Production Management Solution
Structural analysis software programs assume plastics parts have consistent material properties throughout the entire part.
However, due to the nature of the injection molding process, the flow pattern of molten plastics introduces variations in the structural performance of the part.
MPI and MPA are designed to analyze these flow patterns and with MSA, this valuable analytical data is made available to Abaqus and ANSYS without adding time to the analysis.
With accurate data that reflects the material properties of the final molded part, the analysis results from Abaqus and ANSYS will be more precise.
Consequently, plastics product designers can optimize the structural performance of their designs.
In addition, designers will no longer need to overcompensate for the uncertainties introduced during the injection molding process.
This means they can use less material, which leads to lower part costs and shorter cycle times.
Niels Lerke, of Nokia Mobile Phones (Copenhagen, Denmark) said, "The continuous development to obtain more accurate and reliable results in simulation requires a closer tie to manufacturing, especially in the case of injection molded plastics parts.
The development of MSA enables more accurate modeling for structural analysis and is warmly welcomed by Nokia." Ken Short, vice president of SIMULIA (Dassault Systemes brand) Strategy and Marketing, said: "We fully support Moldflow's effort in bridging the gap between injection molding and structural simulation.
The mapping technology used by MSA will allow users of Moldflow and Abaqus FEA software to transfer material information for larger models with greater complexity than has previously been possible," he continued.
Mike Wheeler said: "Our partnership with Moldflow to create MSA is a breakthrough in extracting structural properties for capturing accurate behavior of plastics parts.
The integration with Moldflow is in line with the ANSYS vision of virtual prototyping, in understanding the impact of the manufacturing process on the structural performance of critical plastic components." Wheeler is vice president, Mechanical Business at ANSYS.
Ken Welch, executive vice president and general manager of Moldflow's Design Analysis Solutions business unit, stated, "The commercial launch of MSA follows a very successful three-month trial period that was open to Moldflow, Abaqus and ANSYS customers.
An overwhelming number of customers participated in the trial, indicating high market demand for this product.
We are very excited to be working with Abaqus and ANSYS in this endeavor.
The use of plastics in high performance applications continues to increase, and material properties - particularly for fiber-filled materials - are heavily influenced by the molding process.
With MSA, it is now even easier to take application-specific data from Moldflow simulations into structural analyses to achieve more precise results".
* Availability - MSA 1.0 is available now.
For more information, please call Moldflow in the USA or visit the Moldflow Web site.
* About ANSYS - ANSYS, Incorporated, founded in 1970, develops and globally markets engineering simulation software and technologies widely used by engineers and designers across a broad spectrum of industries.
The Company focuses on the development of open and flexible solutions that enable users to analyze designs directly on the desktop, providing a common platform for fast, efficient and cost- conscious product development, from design concept to final-stage testing and validation.
The Company and its global network of channel partners provide sales, support and training for customers.
Headquartered in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, USA, with more than 40 strategic sales locations throughout the world, ANSYS and its subsidiaries employ approximately 1,400 people and distribute ANSYS products through a network of channel partners in over 40 countries.
Visit
* About SIMULIA - SIMULIA is the Dassault Systemes brand that delivers a scalable portfolio of realistic simulation solutions including the Abaqus product suite for Unified Finite Element Analysis, multiphysics solutions for insight into challenging engineering problems, and lifecycle management solutions for managing simulation data, processes, and intellectual property.
By building on established technology, respected quality, and superior customer service, SIMULIA makes realistic simulation an integral business practice that improves product performance, reduces physical prototypes, and drives innovation.
Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, USA, with R and D centers in Providence and in Suresnes, France, SIMULIA provides sales, services, and support through a global network of over 30 regional offices and distributors.
For more information, visit
* About Moldflow - Moldflow Corporation (NASDAQ: MFLO) is the leading global provider of design analysis solutions for the plastics injection molding industry.
Moldflow's products and services allow companies to address part and mold design issues at the earliest stage.
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