Autodesk Moldflow Design 2017 (formerly known as Autodesk Simulation Moldflow Design) is a specialized software solution for plastic injection molding analysis and simulation.
Autodesk Moldflow Design 2017 Description
Developed by Autodesk, it is part of the Autodesk Moldflow suite of products, which includes Moldflow Insight and Moldflow Adviser. Moldflow Design focuses primarily on the early-stage design and analysis of plastic parts to optimize their manufacturability, quality, and performance.
Features For Autodesk Moldflow Design 2017
Plastic Part Design Analysis: Moldflow Design allows users to analyze plastic part designs to identify potential manufacturing issues such as sink marks, weld lines, air traps, and warpages. It helps designers optimize part geometry for better moldability and performance.
Gate Location Optimization: The software provides tools for optimizing gate locations in plastic parts to achieve uniform filling and minimize flow-related defects. Users can simulate different gate locations and evaluate their impact on part quality and manufacturability.
Runner and Sprue Analysis: Moldflow Design allows users to analyze runner and sprue designs to optimize flow distribution and minimize pressure drop during the injection molding process. It helps designers size runners appropriately and reduce material waste.
Cooling Channel Analysis: The software includes tools for analyzing cooling channel layouts and optimizing cooling strategies to achieve uniform cooling and reduce cycle times. Users can simulate different cooling channel configurations and evaluate their impact on part quality and production efficiency.
Warpage Analysis: Moldflow Design enables users to predict and analyze part warpage caused by residual stresses and uneven cooling during the molding process. It helps designers identify potential warpage issues early in the design phase and implement corrective measures.
Material Database: The software includes a comprehensive material database with properties for a wide range of thermoplastic materials commonly used in injection molding. Users can select materials from the database or define custom material properties for simulation.
Integration with CAD Software: Moldflow Design integrates seamlessly with CAD software such as Autodesk Inventor and SolidWorks, allowing users to import part geometry directly into the software for analysis. This facilitates a streamlined workflow between design and simulation.
Report Generation: The software provides tools for generating detailed simulation reports with graphical results, analysis data, and recommendations. Users can customize report templates and export reports in various formats for sharing with stakeholders and collaborators.