Autodesk

Simulation Moldflow
®

Plastics made
perfect.

Plastic injection molding

simulation of a concept consumer
printer. Designed in Autodesk®
Inventor® software. Simulated in
Autodesk® Simulation Moldflow®
software. Rendered in Autodesk®
3ds Max® software.
Validation and Optimization of Plastic Parts

Innovative plastic resins and functional plastic part designs are

on the rise in almost every industry. Plastics and fiber-filled
composites answer growing pressures to reduce costs and cut
time to market. The need for simulation tools that provide
deep insight into the plastic injection molding process has
never been greater.

Autodesk® Simulation Moldflow® plastic injection Autodesk Simulation Moldflow Product Line
Contents molding software, part of the Autodesk Simulation Autodesk is dedicated to providing a wide range
solution for Digital Prototyping, provides tools of injection molding simulation tools to help CAE
Validation and Optimization that help manufacturers predict, optimize, and analysts, designers, engineers, mold makers, and
of Plastic Parts .............................................. 1 validate the design of plastic parts, injection molding professionals create more accurate digital
Part Layout Simulation................................2 molds, and ­extrusion dies. Companies worldwide prototypes and bring better products to market
use Autodesk® Simulation Moldflow® Adviser and at less cost.
Injection Molding Process Simulation..... 3
Autodesk® Simulation Moldflow® Insight software
CAD Interoperability and Meshing .......... 5 to help reduce the need for costly physical proto-
types, reduce potential manufacturing defects, and
Results Evaluation
get innovative products to market faster.
and Productivity Tools.................................6
Feature Comparison.....................................7

1
Part Layout Simulation

Validate and optimize plastic parts, injection molds, resin

selection, and the injection molding process.

Plastic Flow Simulation

Simulate the flow of melted plastic to help optimize
plastic part and injection mold designs, reduce
potential part defects, and improve the molding
process.

Part Defects
Determine potential part defects such as weld lines,
air traps, and sink marks, then rework designs to
help avoid these problems.

Thermoplastic Filling
Simulate the filling phase of the thermoplastic
injection molding process to help predict the flow of
melted plastic and fill mold cavities uniformly; avoid
short shots; and eliminate, minimize, or reposition
weld lines and air traps.

Feed System Simulation Hot Runner Systems

Model and optimize hot and cold runner systems Model hot runner system components and set up
and gating configurations. Improve part surfaces, sequential valve gates to help eliminate weld lines
minimize part warpage, and reduce cycle times. and control the packing phase.

Gate Location
Identify up to 10 gate locations simultaneously.
Minimize injection pressure and exclude specific
areas when determining gate location.

Runner Design Wizard

Create feed systems based on inputs for layout,
size, and type of components, such as sprues,
runners, and gates.
Thermoplastic Packing
Optimize packing profiles and visualize magnitude
Balancing Runners
and distribution of volumetric shrinkage to help
Balance runner systems of single-cavity, multicavity,
minimize plastic part warpage and reduce defects
and family mold layouts so parts fill simultaneously,
such as sink marks.
reducing stress levels and volume of material.

2
Injection Molding Process Simulation

Mold Cooling Simulation Rapid Heat Cycle Molding Warpage

Improve cooling system efficiency, minimize part Set up variable mold surface temperature profiles Predict warpage resulting from process-induced
warpage, achieve smooth surfaces, and reduce to maintain warmer temperatures during filling to stresses. Identify where warpage might occur
cycle times. achieve smooth surfaces; reduce temperatures in and optimize part and mold design, material
the packing and cooling phases to help freeze parts choice, and processing parameters to help control
Cooling Component Modeling and decrease cycle times. part deformation.
Analyze a mold’s cooling system efficiency.
Model cooling circuits, baffles, bubblers, and mold Shrinkage and Warpage Simulation
inserts and bases. Evaluate plastic part and injection mold designs to
help control shrinkage and warpage.
Cooling System Analysis
Optimize mold and cooling circuit designs to help Shrinkage
achieve uniform part cooling, minimize cycle Meet part tolerances by predicting part shrinkage
times, reduce part warpage, and decrease based on processing parameters and grade-specific
manufacturing costs. material data.

Core Shift Control

Minimize the movement of mold cores by deter-
mining ideal processing conditions for injection
pressure, packing profile, and gate locations.

Fiber Orientation and Breakage

Control fiber orientation within plastics to help
reduce part shrinkage and warpage across the
molded part.

CAE Data Exchange

Validate and optimize plastic part designs using
tools to exchange data with mechanical simulation
software. CAE data exchange is available with
Autodesk® Simulation, ANSYS®, and Abaqus®
software to predict the real-life behavior of plastic
parts by using as-manufactured material properties.

3
Injection Molding Process Simulation

Thermoset Flow Simulation Specialized Simulation Tools Specialized Molding Processes

Simulate thermoset injection molding, RIM/SRIM, Solve design challenges with simulation. Simulate a wide range of plastic injection molding
resin transfer molding, and rubber compound processes and specialized process applications.
injection molding. Insert Overmolding
Run an insert overmolding simulation to help Gas-Assisted Injection Molding
Reactive Injection Molding determine the impact of mold inserts on melt flow, Determine where to position polymer and gas
Predict how molds will fill with or without fiber- cooling rate, and part warpage. entrances, how much plastic to inject prior to gas
reinforced preforms. Help avoid short shots due injection, and how to optimize size and placement
to pregelation of resin, and identify air traps and of gas channels.
problematic weld lines. Balance runner systems,
select molding machine size, and evaluate Co-Injection Molding
thermoset materials. Visualize the advancement of skin and core
materials in the cavity and view the dynamic
Microchip Encapsulation relationship between the two materials as filling
Simulate encapsulation of semiconductor chips progresses. Optimize material combinations while
with reactive resins and the interconnectivity of maximizing the product's cost-performance ratio.
electrical chips. Predict bonding wire deformation
within the cavity and shifting of the lead frame due
to pressure imbalances.

Underfill Encapsulation Two-Shot Sequential Overmolding

Simulate flip-chip encapsulation to predict Simulate the two-shot sequential overmolding
material flow in the cavity between the chip and process: one part is filled; the tool opens and
the substrate. indexes to a new position; and a second part is
molded over the first.

Birefringence
Predict optical performance of an injection-molded
plastic part by evaluating refractive index changes
that result from process-induced stresses. Evaluate
multiple materials, processing conditions, and
gate and runner designs to help control Injection-Compression Molding
birefringence in the part. Simulate simultaneous or sequential polymer
injection and mold compression. Evaluate
MuCell® material candidates, part and mold design,
MuCell® (from Trexel, Inc.) simulation results and processing conditions.
include filling pattern, injection pressure, and cell
size. These are all critical factors in optimizing
a given part for the process, as well as the
process itself.

4
CAD Interoperability and Meshing

Use tools for native CAD model translation and optimization.

Autodesk Simulation Moldflow provides geometry support for
thin-walled parts and thick and solid applications. Select mesh
type based on desired simulation accuracy and solution time.

CAD Solid Models Centerline Import/Export 3D Simulations

Import and mesh solid geometry from Parasolid®- Import and export feed system and cooling Perform 3D simulations on complex geometry
based CAD systems, Autodesk® Inventor® software, channel centerlines from and to CAD software, to using a solid, tetrahedral, finite element mesh
CATIA® V%, Pro/ENGINEER®, Creo® Elements/ help decrease modeling time and avoid runner and technique. This approach is ideal for electrical
Pro, Autodesk® Alias®, Siemens® NX®, Rhino®, and cooling channel modeling errors. connectors, thick structural components, and
SolidWorks®, as well as ACIS®, IGES, and STEP geometries with thickness variations.
universal files. Autodesk Simulation Moldflow CAD Doctor
Check, correct, heal, and simplify solid models Dual Domain Technology
Error Checking and Repair imported from 3D CAD systems to prepare Simulate solid models of thin-walled parts using
Scan imported geometry and automatically fix for simulation. Dual Domain™ technology. Work directly from 3D
defects that can occur when translating a model solid CAD models, leading to easier simulation of
from CAD software. design iterations.

Midplane Meshes
Generate 2D planar surface meshes with assigned
thicknesses for thin-walled parts.

5
Results Evaluation and Productivity Tools

Visualize and evaluate simulation results, and use automatic

reporting tools to share the results with stakeholders. Take
advantage of features such as a material database and advisers
to further boost productivity.

Results Interpretation and Presentation Material Data Automation and Customization

Use a wide range of tools for model visualization, Improve simulation accuracy with precise Automate common tasks and customize Autodesk
results evaluation, and presentation. material data. Simulation Moldflow software for your organization.

Results Adviser Material Database API Tools

Query regions of a model to identify primary causes Use the built-in material database of grade- Application programming interface (API)
of short shots and poor part or cooling quality. Get specific information on more than 8,500 plastic tools enable you to automate common tasks,
suggestions on how to correct the part, mold, or materials characterized for use in plastic injection customize the user interface, work with third-
process. molding simulation. party applications, and help implement corporate
standards and best practices.
Photorealistic Defect Visualization
Integration with Autodesk® Showcase® software
enhances quality assessments of plastic parts by
examining near-photorealistic renderings of digital
prototypes.

Automatic Reporting Tools

Use the Report Generation wizard to create web-
based reports. Prepare and share simulation results
more quickly and easily with customers, vendors,
and team members.

Microsoft Office Export Capability Autodesk Simulation Moldflow Plastics Labs

Export results and images for use in Microsoft® Get plastic material testing services, expert data-
Word reports and PowerPoint® presentations. fitting services, and extensive material databases
with the Autodesk® Simulation Moldflow®
Autodesk Simulation Moldflow Communicator Plastics Labs.
Collaborate with manufacturing personnel,
procurement engineers, suppliers, and external Productivity Tools
customers using Autodesk® Simulation Moldflow® Use advisers and extensive help to boost productivity.
Communicator software. Use the Autodesk
Simulation Moldflow Communicator results Cost Adviser
viewer to export results from Autodesk Simulation Learn what drives part costs to help minimize those
Moldflow software so stakeholders can more easily costs. Estimate product costs based on material
visualize, quantify, and compare simulation results. choice, cycle time, post-molding operations, and
fixed costs.

Design Adviser
Quickly identify areas of plastic parts that violate
design guidelines related to the injection molding
process.

Help
Get help on a results plot, including information
on what to look for and how to correct typical
problems. Learn more about solver theory,
interpreting simulation results, and designing
better plastic parts and injection molds.
6
Feature Comparison
Compare the features of Autodesk Simulation Moldflow products to learn how Autodesk Simulation Moldflow Adviser and Autodesk Simulation Moldflow Insight
software can help meet the needs of your organization.

Autodesk Autodesk Autodesk Autodesk Autodesk Autodesk

Simulation Simulation Simulation Simulation Simulation Simulation
Moldflow Moldflow Moldflow Moldflow Moldflow Moldflow
Adviser Adviser Adviser Insight Insight Insight
Standard Premium Ultimate Standard Premium Ultimate

Meshing Technology
Dual Domain ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
3D ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Midplane ✓ ✓ ✓

CAD Interoperability
CAD Solid Models ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Parts ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Assemblies ✓ ✓ ✓

Simulation Capabilities
Thermoplastic Filling ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Part Defects ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Gate Location ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Molding Window ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Thermoplastic Packing ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Runner Balancing ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Cooling ✓ ✓ ✓
Warpage ✓ ✓ ✓
Fiber Orientation ✓ ✓ ✓
Insert Overmolding ✓ ✓ ✓
Two-Shot Sequential
Overmolding
✓ ✓ ✓
Core Shift Control ✓ ✓

Molding Processes
Thermoplastic Injection Molding ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Reactive Injection Molding ✓ ✓ ✓
Microchip Encapsulation ✓ ✓
Underfill Encapsulation ✓ ✓
Gas-Assisted Injection Molding ✓
Injection-Compression Molding ✓
Co-Injection Molding ✓
MuCell® ✓
Birefringence ✓

Databases
Thermoplastics Materials ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Thermoset Materials ✓ ✓ ✓
Molding Machines ✓ ✓ ✓
Coolant Materials ✓ ✓
Mold Materials ✓ ✓

7
 Autodesk Autodesk Autodesk Autodesk Autodesk Autodesk
Simulation Simulation Simulation Simulation Simulation Simulation
Moldflow Moldflow Moldflow Moldflow Moldflow Moldflow
Adviser Adviser Adviser Insight Insight Insight
Standard Premium Ultimate Standard Premium Ultimate

CAE Data Exchange

Autodesk Simulation ✓ ✓ ✓
Abaqus ✓ ✓ ✓
ANSYS ✓ ✓ ✓
LS-DYNA® ✓ ✓
NEi Nastran ✓ ✓

Supported Languages
English ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Chinese (Simplified) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Chinese (Traditional) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
French ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
German ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Italian ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Korean ✓ ✓ ✓
Japanese ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Portuguese ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Spanish ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

8
Digital Prototyping for the Manufacturing Market

Autodesk is a world-leading supplier of engineering software,

providing companies with tools to design, visualize, and
simulate their ideas. By putting powerful Digital Prototyping
technology within the reach of mainstream manufacturers,
Autodesk is changing the way manufacturers think about their
design processes, and helping them to create more productive
workflows. The Autodesk approach to Digital Prototyping is
unique in that it is scalable, attainable, and cost-effective, which
allows a broader group of manufacturers to realize the benefits
with minimal disruption to existing workflows, and provides the
most straightforward path to creating and maintaining a single
digital model in a multidisciplinary engineering environment.

Learn More or Purchase

Access specialists worldwide who can provide product expertise, a deep
understanding of your industry, and value that extends beyond your software.
To license Autodesk Simulation Moldflow software, contact an Autodesk
Authorized Reseller. Locate a reseller near you at www.autodesk.com/reseller.

To learn more about Autodesk Simulation Moldflow software, visit

www.autodesk.com/moldflow.

Autodesk Education
From instructor-led or self-paced classes to online training or education
resources, Autodesk offers learning solutions to fit your needs. Gain access
to free* software if you are a student or educator. Get expert guidance at
an Autodesk Authorized Training Center (ATC®) site, access learning tools
online or at your local bookstore, and validate your experience with Autodesk
Certification. Learn more at www.autodesk.com/learning.

Autodesk Subscription
Autodesk® Subscription allows customers to extend the value of their software
investment with access to the latest releases, powerful web services, and
expedited technical support. Learn more at www.autodesk.com/subscription.

*Free products are subject to the terms and conditions of the end-user license agreement that accompanies
download of this software.

Autodesk, Alias, ATC, Autodesk Inventor, Inventor, Moldflow, Showcase, and 3ds Max are registered trademarks
or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All
other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the
right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is
not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document. © 2012 Autodesk, Inc.
All rights reserved.