Process Settings Wizard dialog-Compression Settings

This page of the Process Settings Wizard is used to specify the compression-related settings for the selected analysis sequence.

To access this dialog, click Process Settings (Home tab > Molding Process Setup panel > Process Settings), then click Next until the Compression Settings page appears.

The options that appear in this dialog will depend on whether you are running a Midplane or 3D model.

Dialog widget Comment

Compression direction (3D only)

Specify the compression direction. Options are:
-Z
This is the default setting. Compression is in the negative Z-direction.
+Z
Compression is in the positive Z-direction.

Press open distance

Specify 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.

Press waiting time (Midplane only)

Specify the time period, at the beginning of the process, that the compression press should remain stationary before moving to compress the plastic.

Press compression starts (3D only)

Specify when press compression should begin. Options are:
At the end of packing
This is the default setting. Press compression begins at the end of the packing stage.
By time
Specify a duration relative to the start of the process after which press compression starts.
By % volume filled
Specify the percentage of cavity volume to be filled before press compression starts.
By ram position
Specify the distance the ram is to move before press compression starts.

Press compression time

Specify the time period during which the compression press moves, compressing the plastic. After completion of the press compression time, the press remains stationary until the end of the process.

Press speed cap (3D only)

Specify a maximum value for the press speed.

Press compression force cap

Specify a maximum value for the press compression force.

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

The compression press moves in incremental distances. In each increment, the press moves at a constant speed. For each increment, enter the distance and speed.

Close injection location after packing (Midplane only)

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.

Switch to press force control (3D only)

Specify when press force control begins. Options are:
From the start of compression
Press force control begins when the compression stage begins. If 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.
When the press force reaches the compression force cap
This is the default setting. Press force control begins when the compression force reaches the defined maximum value.
By % nodes filled
Specify the percentage of nodes to be filled before press force control begins.
By time
Specify a duration relative to the start of the process after which press force control begins.

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

Specify compression force versus duration during press force control. Options are:
Relative to the value at switchover
This is the default setting. Click Edit values, and specify the duration of each relative press compression force value.
Absolute value
Click Edit values, and specify the duration of each absolute press compression force value.

Advanced options

Displays the advanced options for the analysis.