Solidworks Plastics Simulation Tutorial 1: Injection Molding Flow, Sink Marks, Shrinkage, Weld Lines

#SolidworksTutorial #SolidworksSimulation #SolidworksPlastics
0:00 Bring Add-in to Solidworks
1:00 Create a Mesh
10:35 Mesh Fixing Tools
17:35 Polymer/ Materials Database
20:55 Fill Settings
22:13 Injection Location
24:37 Run Simulation
26:11 Simulation Results
This Solidworks introduction lesson explains Solidworks Plastics using an example simulation.
Solidworks Plastics is an easy to use FEA tool that simulates how melted material flows through the tool during the injection molding process. The software predicts manufacturing issues like sink marks and part deformation, weld lines/ flow lines, gas marks, short shots, uneven cooling and etc. We will use these predictions to better our gating location, material selection and etc. to create a better part design. This tutorial was made for absolute beginners in simulation.

[@tanvirhuday9428]

Thank you is not enough. This video is long but extremely helpful. I am grateful to you mate and do appreciate your ability to explain the whole process and I managed to finish my own mold today with this video.

[@AvivMakesRobots]

Wow! That's awesome. I want to make some videos on viscosity vs. shear rate soon.

[@ShayanAsim]

This is by far the most useful video I have watched on this topic! Keep up the good work!

[@AvivMakesRobots]

Great to hear!

[@taikonot]

I just came across your your video and I should say amazing content. I am sure your channel will elevate quickly. Keep it up...

[@AvivMakesRobots]

Thank you so much. I hope to pass on the skills I have learned over years of time.

[@bilalashar6104]

One of the great informative video about plastic simulation. Précised and detailed information.

[@AvivMakesRobots]

Thank you!

[@mariocastro5866]

Very helpful video, I learned a lot! What wasn't very clear for me is how you can set the machine limits while setting up the parameters for the simulation? Thank you a lot

[@grandphysique1248]

Great video. Very useful.

[@AvivMakesRobots]

Thanks!

[@eedalamadhavareddy116]

I learnt a lot today about solidworks plastics and do make more vidoes for knowldege transfer. thank you

[@AvivMakesRobots]

Sure!

[@dodawad]

Thank you for the great video. I would request you to do make an video on how to read and adjust the parameters while doing mold flow.

[@AvivMakesRobots]

Gotcha. Once you run the simulation, changing parameters requires you to re-run the simulation.

[@jianliu9420]

Fakking good job! Easy to understand! Actually better than my Paper book.!

[@AvivMakesRobots]

Thanks! That's the goal!

[@classified0178]

thanks

[@AvivMakesRobots]

Sure

[@networkersinc.2974]

Excelent!! Thank you!!

[@AvivMakesRobots]

You got it!

[@lauraw.simiyu7750]

Ver very informative video. Thank you for the good work. I was just wondering whether simulating the plastic alone without the actual mold with all its components such as ejector pins and back plates; cooling channels and gate, runner and sprues can affect the accuracy of the results. Thank you.

[@AvivMakesRobots]

It definitely does. There was no sprue or runner system and I did not even define if this was cold or hot runner. Also, a part like this could be made in a multi-impression mold which makes the difference even greater! That being said, a plastic part designer can still use this simulation to understand the flow path of a given part.

[@lauraw.simiyu7750]

@@AvivMakesRobots thank you. Does this mean that to obtain the most accurate cooling time when optimizing cooling channels, I might need to simulate a detailed mold? is that possible? Most demos use virtual molds.

[@mortezapadarlar]

super....thx

[@AvivMakesRobots]

You got it!

[@jonnyhifi]

Superb ty .

[@AvivMakesRobots]

No problem!

[@mrrohan6396]

Hello, Which software should one go for when analysing the plastic moldflow simulation. Solidworks or Autodesk Moldflow?

[@AvivMakesRobots]

I have not used autodesk moldflow, but these are competing softwares that have very similar capabilities. It is not the software that defines a good simulation, but rather the inputs and accurate values that make a simulation a good interpetation of the final tool.

[@aniketsingh8758]

thanks for the video, could you please show to design runner system in solidworks

[@AvivMakesRobots]

Thanks! I have a video coming out soon on edge gates (not in Solidworks, just the principle itself).

[@allaboutmould2252]

That mesh triangle size is depend upon part model size?

[@AvivMakesRobots]

It is not. It depends on what you set the refinement value for these shapes to be. Smaller and the part is more accurate to its true geometry. Large and it is more of an estimate.

[@mrrohan6396]

Hello, great work there. One quick question, is the plastic simulation interface different for v2021. Cause I am not able to view the different parameters you mentioned. Thanks

[@AvivMakesRobots]

I am certain it is a bit different, but you should be able to access the same options. They may have changed the GUI.

[@changbaoma]

Where to get the CAD of this example to walk through the simulation? Thanks.

[@AvivMakesRobots]

Hey, I just made a simple shelled extrusion

[@fatemehmaktoubian5192]

Great video! is there any way to export "temperature at the end of fill" for all of the nodes at the same time?

[@AvivMakesRobots]

Thanks! I am trying to understand the question. Are you referring to the nodes of the mesh itself? To get a mapping of the temp at end of fill for each individual node? It may be possible to get this by exporting the mold flow report, but: If your goal is to get a better understanding of the temperature at the end of fill in certain spots, you can try looking at the "clipping plane mode" which lets you look at the pressures inside the part and not just on the surface skin. This may be more advantageous to you.

[@fatemehmaktoubian5192]

@@AvivMakesRobots yes exactly the first one i was trying to export the datas for last few weeks no progress yet🤦‍♀️

[@ganeshm941]

Is there any step wise PDF for this process?

[@AvivMakesRobots]

Hey Ganesh, do you mean a PDF of the slides? I will see if I can post them somewhere.

[@MrFaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Hey juice. Is there any way to simulate pellets in the plastic to make sure they get distributed evenly?

[@AvivMakesRobots]

Hello, This is not necessary because the plastic pellets are mixed and melted together evenly within the metering zone of the injection unit. The pellets are in a liquid, homogenous state before they enter the tool.

[@MrFaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

@@AvivMakesRobots ah ok. What about particles like glass beads or fibers that is added to the mix?

[@AvivMakesRobots]

Select "fiber orientation calculation" to compute the directions of the fibers as part of the simulation. You may also need to "set coinjection".

[@noname-sr3em]

Hello thanks for video, I would like to ask a question. Can we estimate the total cycle run of injection mold?

[@AvivMakesRobots]

Yes, a timing estimate is given for injection and packing pressure (be sure to do both a filling and packing simulation). That being said, the software is not giving you the rest of the cycle like the demolding time and etc... But this can be deduced from the machine.

[@ayhanalaturk6304]

where i can download that part ?

[@AvivMakesRobots]

Hey, I am sorry, I did not put this part up anywhere. Luckily it is simple to make. I just revolved a slot 180 degrees, then added an extrusion with those slotted holes and shelled the whole thing.

[@ayhanalaturk6304]

@@AvivMakesRobots sorry i cant creat same part because i dont have any masurment informations so could you take one video about that part ho did you create so if we dont have that part how we can apply this similation tutorial regard.