Mold Flow
During the mold construction phase, it is highly recommended to make changes or modifications early in the design process rather than after the mold manufacturing.
Making changes at a later stage can be costly for the mold-maker. To address this issue, Longterm has invested in advanced mold flow software that can simulate potential defects or flaws in the mold design before finalizing the design.
Flow analysis is an essential part of the molding simulation process. It calculates the advancement of the melt front as it flows through the part from the injection location until the switch-over point to the packing phase. Flow analysis allows for simulation, identification, and optimization of the process, reducing uncertainty during molding or resolving any existing injection molding issues.
Packing analysis complements the filling analysis by extending the first stage of the injection molding process into the packing phase. In this stage, the non-filled portion of the mold is filled with additional material to compensate for the volume loss during material shrinkage. The part is then subjected to pressure while solidifying.
Longterm’s implementation of flow and packing analysis enables us to proactively identify and address any potential issues during the design stage, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective mold manufacturing process.
Flow analysis evaluates or determines the following:
- Uniformity of fill
- Number of gates
- Gate size and location
- Weld line location
- Air entrapment
- Shear rate, shear stress
- Part designs
- Pressure & temperature
- Processing conditions
- Sequential valve gating
- Hot runner sizing
- Runner balancing
Packing analysis evaluates or determines the following:
- Gate freeze time
- Packing pressure profile
- Volumetric shrinkage
- Sink location
- Clamp tonnage/machine sizing
