Running an Overmolding analysis

The Overmolding analysis consists of a 2-step process where a normal Fill+Pack analysis is performed on the first cavity (first component stage), which is then followed by a Fill+Pack analysis on the overmolding cavity (overmolding stage). The consecutive overmolding stage on the second cavity uses a different material from the first analysis, and the first component 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, and that you will create a new study for the overmolding analysis of the two components.

1. Create a new project, or open an existing one.
2. Click (Home tab > Import panel > Import), and then locate and import the study describing the second component in the overmolding process.
3. Click (Home tab > Molding Process Setup panel), and select Thermoplastics Overmolding.
4. Click (Home tab > Molding Process Setup panel > Analysis Sequence) and select either Fill+Pack + Overmolding Fill, or, Fill+Pack + Overmolding Fill+ Overmolding Pack , depending whether you want the packing stage included in the overmolding analysis.
5. Click Ctrl+A to select the entire model. You will now need to apply the appropriate property to the model.
6. Right-click in the Model pane and select Properties, select the Overmolding Component tab, set the Component option to 2nd shot and then click OK. If the model consists of several types of entities, for example, it includes beam elements describing the runner system for the second component, select each entity type in turn and set the Component option to 2nd shot.
7. Click (Home tab > Import panel > Add) and then 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 (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, click Ctrl+A to select the entire first component model, right-click in the Model pane and select Properties, select the Overmolding Component tab, set the Component option to 1st shot and then click OK. As described above, you may need to repeat this step several times if the model contains different types of entities.
10. Make the second component visible again.
11. Double-click Material A in the Study Tasks pane and select the material to be used in the first component Fill+Pack analysis stage.
12. Double-click Material B in the Study Tasks pane and select the material to be used in the second component overmolding stage.
    Note: Alternatively, click and (Home tab > Molding Process Setup panel > Select Material > Select Material A/B) to select the materials.
13. Click in the study task pane, and set an injection location on the first component model.
14. Click in the study task pane, and set an injection location on the second component model.
    Note: Alternatively, click and (Boundary Conditions tab > Injection locations panel > Injection Locations) to set the injection locations.
15. Click (Home tab > Molding Process Setup panel > Process Settings) and specify the process settings for the first component stage and for the overmolding stage on the respective Wizard pages, then click Finish.

The overmolding analysis is now ready to be launched.