Mold Flow Analysis
Mold Flow Analysis
The main factor to a quality plastic injection molded part is a precise mold, one that produces reliable pieces time after time. Mold flow analysis is key in demonstrating the mold will perform as expected. Fiber orientation is critical to obtaining optimal mechanical properties and recent publications indicate it can be understood by minor extension of the same techniques.
The main factor to a quality plastic injection molded part is a precise mold, one that produces reliable pieces time after time. Mold flow analysis is key in demonstrating the mold will perform as expected. Fiber orientation is critical to obtaining optimal mechanical properties and recent publications indicate it can be understood by minor extension of the same techniques.
What is Mold Flow Analysis?
Mold flow analysis (MFA) is a software simulation showing how resin will flow through a mold. Once a mold design is complete MFA is used to determine the number of gates and their locations, show material choke points and hot spots, predict short fill and sink mark locations, and many other critical parameters needed to optimize a mold design for a repeatable, consistent molding process.
This analysis is vital to predicting what to anticipate during the molding process of short-fiber reinforced composites including:
1. Mold life expectancy
2. Overall expense of the mold
3. How to avoid any obstacles
When Should Mold Flow Analysis be Used?
Mold flow analysis is conducted using software after tool design but prior to tool kickoff. Utilizing a selected gate area and material properties, the software simulates how the part will fill during the molding process. Various data points can be evaluated such as pressure, fill time, and melt temperature. Doing so permits optimization of the operation before tool fabrication begins.
The Benefits to MoldFlow Analysis:
Mold flow analysis (MFA) is a software simulation showing how resin will flow through a mold. Once a mold design is complete MFA is used to determine the number of gates and their locations, show material choke points and hot spots, predict short fill and sink mark locations, and many other critical parameters needed to optimize a mold design for a repeatable, consistent molding process.
This analysis is vital to predicting what to anticipate during the molding process of short-fiber reinforced composites including:
- Short-Fiber orientation
- Shrinkage compensation for tooling tolerances
- Warpage issues
- Handling conditions
- Material Temperature and shot parameter optimization
- Flow-induced shear stress
- Weld line area
- Mold and Coolant temperature
1. Mold life expectancy
2. Overall expense of the mold
3. How to avoid any obstacles
When Should Mold Flow Analysis be Used?
Mold flow analysis is conducted using software after tool design but prior to tool kickoff. Utilizing a selected gate area and material properties, the software simulates how the part will fill during the molding process. Various data points can be evaluated such as pressure, fill time, and melt temperature. Doing so permits optimization of the operation before tool fabrication begins.
The Benefits to MoldFlow Analysis:
- Resolution of wall thickness complexities
- Gate area optimization
- Mold cavities fill reliably and consistently
- Shows potential visual defects, such as air traps, sink marks and weld lines
- Supplies data to support design changes
- Decrease time to market
- Finds defects in design geometry
- Reinforcement orientation
- Block tooling mistakes and rework
- Amplify manufacturability
- Increase productivity and quality
- Evaluates different material options, pre-production
