Editor’s Pick: 3D CAE Software Simulates Injection Molding Processes

By Anthony J. Lockwood

Dear Desktop Engineering Reader:

Here’s an interesting one for you people slaving away with plastic injection molding.

SIGMASOFT 3D injection molding simulation software is now available from Illinois-based Sigma Plastic Services. This company is a branch of SIGMA Engineering GmbH, which itself is a company owned by the German company MAGMA. MAGMA is considered among the top global developers of metal casting simulation technologies. That’s one wordy way of saying that SIGMASOFT has a really good pedigree. Let’s take a look at what’s happening here.

SIGMASOFT CAE software is self-described as design- and process-integrated software for injection molding simulation. SIGMASOFT has been 3D from the get-go, and it has CAE capabilities like steady state mold temperature, shear imbalances, and shrinkage. Where appropriate, it has additional capabilities for working with, say, thermosets and elastomers like fiber orientation and curing reaction/cross linking.

“Design-  and process-integrated” refers to how you work with SIGMASOFT. Essentially, it means that you are simulating a model that is both physically correct —  think geometry and materials — and coupled with the heating, cooling, and melting process stages. This coupling, in turn, means that you should obtain accurate results and reliable validation of your design and process intentions.

With SIGMASOFT, your simulation calculations include all the factors that affect your product. This, of course, embraces such things as geometry, cooling, and warpage. But it also means that SIGMASOFT integrates the geometry with such factors as the components and materials of the mold, the concept and media of tempering, hot runners, and,  again, process management. The net effect is that you operate in a natural 3D comfort zone while analyzing mold performance, energy efficiency, and achievable processes in addition to part defects.

A key to SIGMASOFT is that it leverages the Finite Volume Method for numerical analyses. This is said to be what enables you to integrate so many factors into your calculations. This also is why the software offers an extended range of applications for injection molding simulation: design of part and mold, mold development, identification of process windows, and process troubleshooting.

Other interesting characteristics of SIGMASOFT are that it’s said to require minimum interaction from you at any point during the product development process, it can determine ejector forces during de-molding, and it can analyze treatments like polishing or galvanization.

You’ll find more details on SIGMASOFT in today’s Pick of the Week. But, your best bet is to hit the link at the end of the write-up then hit the “products” on the left-hand side of the Sigma home page. You’ll then see this kind of spare list — thermoplastics,  MIM/CIM, and a couple of others. Click on the link or links that interest you. Notice the Flash files on the right. They’re a lesson in and among themselves of what SIGMASOFT can do with you. Good stuff.

Thanks,  Pal. — Lockwood

Anthony J. Lockwood
Editor at Large, Desktop Engineering

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