The 3D flow solver has been enhanced to produce result data sets that previously were produced only by the Midplane and Dual Domain flow solvers.
Grow from result
The Grow from result shows the areas that are filled from each gate in a multi-gated part. This result is now produced by the 3D flow solver for all molding processes that are supported by 3D analysis technology. It is not displayed in the runner system.
In cases of sequential gating, the same Grow from number may be seen at all gates, if later gates open after the flow from the first gate reaches them.
Unlike with Midplane and Dual Domain analysis technologies, there is no need to assign a specific gate property to elements to enable the result with 3D analysis technology.
Frozen layer fraction results for thermoplastics molding processes
The Frozen layer fraction result shows the thickness of the frozen layer as a fraction of the part thickness. This result is now produced by the 3D flow solver for all thermoplastics molding processes that are supported by 3D analysis technology. It is displayed on the wall nodes of tetrahedral elements and on beam nodes. A thermoplastics material is considered to be frozen when the temperature is less than the polymer transition temperature.
Four new plots are available:
- The Frozen layer fraction result is produced at every time step when other results are written and is animated through time by default.
- The Frozen layer fraction at end of fill result is produced at a single time instant at the end of fill.
- The Frozen layer fraction (overmolding) result is produced only for the second shot of a Thermoplastics Overmolding analysis and is animated through time by default.
- The Frozen layer fraction at end of fill (overmolding) result is produced only for the second shot of a Thermoplastics Overmolding analysis at a single time instant at the end of fill.
Note: For tetrahedral elements, the thickness fraction is measured from the wall node to the local centerline of the part, so the values can be different on each side of the part. In Gas-assisted Injection Molding process analyses, the thickness fraction is still measured as a fraction of distance to the local centerline of the part, but it is limited by the thickness of gas present.
Total part weight:XY Plot results
The 'Total part weight:XY Plot' result is an XY plot that shows the total part weight versus time. This result is produced by the flow solver and is supported by Midplane, Dual Domain and 3D analysis technologies. The plot can be used to determine when a gate has frozen, since the curve will then flatten out.
Two new plots are available, but are not shown by default. To show the result, right-click on
Results in the Study Tree, click
New Plot and select it from the available results.
- The Total part weight result is produced at every time step when other results are written plotted against time.
- The Total part weight (overmolding) result is produced only for the second shot of a Thermoplastics Overmolding analysis.
Note: Gas-assisted Injection molding (Midplane) already has an equivalent plot, called Total design weight.
Cured layer fraction result for reactive (thermoset) molding processes
The
Cured layer fraction result shows the thickness of the cured layer as a fraction of the part thickness. This result is now produced by the 3D flow solver for all reactive (thermoset) molding processes that are supported by 3D analysis technology. It is displayed on the wall nodes of tetrahedral elements and on beam nodes, and it is animated through time by default. A thermoset material is considered to be cured when the conversion value is above the gelation conversion.
Note: For tetrahedral elements, the thickness fraction is measured from the wall node to the local centerline of the part, so the values can be different on each side of the part.
Ram position: XY Plot results
The
Ram position: XY Plot result displays an XY plot of the position of the ram versus time up to the velocity/pressure switch-over point. For 3D analysis technology, it is implemented for the same filling control cases for which Midplane and Dual Domain analyses report ram position in the screen output, that is, when an absolute flow profile (including the legacy absolute profiles) has been specified.
Note: The result is not shown for injection time or flow rate control options, or for relative profiles.
For the result to be produced, the screw diameter must be defined, and the initial stroke must be defined. Two new plots are available:
- The Ram position: XY Plot result is displayed after the first time step, as are other XY plot results.
- The Ram position (overmolding): XY Plot result is produced only for the second shot of a Thermoplastics Overmolding analysis.
Usually the plot will mirror the set profile. However, if the ram reaches the maximum machine pressure, the ram will slow down compared to the set profile, and this will be reflected in the plot.