Running an injection-compression overmolding analysis

The injection-compression overmolding analysis consists of a 2-step process where a Fill+Pack analysis is performed on the first cavity (compression elements), followed by a Fill+Pack analysis on the overmolding cavity (overmolding stage). The overmolding stage on the second cavity uses a different material from the first analysis, and the compression element temperatures are used as the initial temperatures.

Note: This topic assumes that you have prepared one study with a meshed model of the first component, and another study with a meshed model of the second component. In this task you will create a new study for the injection-compression overmolding analysis of the two components.
  1. Create a new project, or open an existing one.
  2. Click Import (Home tab > Import panel > Import), locate and import the study describing the second component in the overmolding process.
  3. Click Molding Process (Home tab > Molding Process Setup panel > Thermoplastics Injection-Compression Overmolding).
  4. Click Analysis Sequence (Home tab > Molding Process Setup panel > Analysis Sequence) and select the appropriate analysis sequence.
  5. Click Ctrl+A to select the entire part model.

    6. You will now need to apply the appropriate property to the part.

  6. Right-click in the Model pane, click Properties, and if there is more than one option, select each one in turn and assign the appropriate conditions. The part should be assigned the propertyOvermolding second component (3D). Enter the appropriate settings then click OK. The runner should be assigned the appropriate property, eg. Cold runner. Select each of the dialog tabs in turn and enter the appropriate conditions.
  7. Click Add (Home tab > Import panel > Add), locate and import the study describing the first component.
    Note: Bodies or assemblies that are added to an existing model, are displayed in a new layer.
    Tip: After importing the two models into one study, it is a good idea to give them different names in the Layers pane.
  8. If necessary, click Translate (Geometry tab > Utilities panel > Move > Translate) to correctly position the first component relative to the second.
  9. Using the Layers pane, hide the second component, then click Ctrl+A to select the entire compression model. Right-click in the Model pane, click Properties, and assign appropriate properties and conditions to the various components. If you have more than just the part, this will have to be repeated for each component.
  10. Make the second component visible again.
  11. Click the down arrow associated with (Home tab > molding Process Setup panel > Select Material) and click Select Material A. Find and select the material to be used in the injection-compression Fill+Pack stage.
  12. Click the down arrow associated with (Home tab > molding Process Setup panel > Select Material) and click Select Material B. Find and select the material to be used in the second component overmolding stage.
  13. Click Set Injection Locations, Analysis toolbar in the study task pane, and set an injection location on the first component model.
  14. Click Ctrl + S in the study task pane, and set an injection location on the second component model.
  15. Click Process Settings (Home tab > Molding Process Setup panel > Process Settings) and specify the process settings for the injection-compression stage and for the overmolding stage on the respective Wizard pages, then click Finish.
  16. Click (Home tab > Analysis panel > Start Analysis).
Parent topic: Thermoplastics Injection-Compression Overmolding analysis sequences