Compression Press Controller dialog

The Compression Press Controller dialog is used to specify compression press settings for compression-type molding processes.

The collection of property values defined on the dialog are saved to a property set with the description shown in the Name box.

Dialog elements

Compression direction (3D only)

By default this is set in the -Z direction. You can change this to +Z if you prefer.

Press open distance (Injection-compression molding only)

This is for Injection-compression molding processes only, and refers to the distance the press travels from its initial stationary position to the position where the gap between the moving and stationary mold halves is equal to the final part thickness.

Enter the press open distance.

Pure compression press open distance option (Compression molding only)

This is for 3D compression molding only, and refers to the distance between the two plates when the press is open. If you select Automatic, the distance is determined automatically by the software, based on your other analysis setup settings. You can specify your own distance if you prefer.

Press compression starts (3D injection-compression only)

There are four (4) options you can set for when press compression should start. The default setting is At the end of packing. If you prefer, you can indicate a specific time relative to the start of the cycle, a specific volume filled after which compression should start, or a specific distance the ram should move before compression starts.

Press waiting time (Midplane injection-compression only)

This is the time period at the beginning of the process, when injection occurs and when the compression press remains stationary, before moving to compress the plastic.

Press compression time

In compression-type molding process, after a pre-set amount of plastic melt is fed into an open cavity, it is compressed. The press compression time is the time during which the press moves, compressing the plastic. After completion of the press compression time, the press remains stationary until the end of the process.

Enter the press compression time.

Press speed cap (3D analyses only)

Press speed dictates how fast the press should move to compress the melt, without damaging the mold or the melt. Enter the maximum acceptable speed.

Press compression force cap

Press compression force is the force used by the press to compress the plastic melt without damaging the mold halves.

During the compression phase, when the specified compression force is reached, a switch-over from speed control to force control occurs.

Enter the press compression force cap. It cannot exceed the maximum clamp force.

Press compression speed vs distance (compression is along z-direction)

The compression press moves at incremental distances. In each increment, the press moves at a constant speed.

For each increment, enter the distance and speed.

Switch to press force control (3D analyses only)

There are four (4) options you can set for when to switch to press force control. The default setting is when the compression force cap has been reached. You can change this to the start of compression, after a specific number of nodes have been filled, or at a specific time after the start of the cycle. If you select at the start of compression , and compression starts before the end of the injection packing profile is reached, the switch to press force control will be delayed until the packing profile has been completed and the injection location has been closed.

Compression force after switch to press force control (3D analyses only)

Once the switch has been made to press force control, you will need to specify the compression force and its duration. The default value is relative to the force at the switchover time and is entered as a percentage of that value. If you prefer, you can select absolute value and enter an absolute value and duration.

Close injection location after packing (Midplane injection-compression molding only)

In the Injection-compression analysis, after the packing stage ends (controlled by the pack/holding control setting), the injection location can remain open or it can be closed.

Select this check box if you want the polymer injection location to be closed at the end of the packing stage.

Note: This option works independently of the valve gate setting, and is useful when no valve gate is specified in the mesh.