Mold block (3D) dialog

This dialog is used to edit the properties of mold block elements for transient cool analyses.

To access this dialog, click (Geometry tab > Properties panel > Assign) and select Mold Block (3D) from the New drop-down list.

Mold open time

During Mold open time, the mold is considered to be in contact with air. If there is only one mold block, then the mold elements at the interface with the plastic are considered to be in contact with air during Mold open time. If there are two mold blocks, or if the mold block has different properties, then the interface between the two faces is considered to be in contact with air during Mold open time.

Note: It is assumed that the cavity is exposed to air as soon as the mold opens. When there are only one or two mold blocks, it doesn't matter which one is fixed and which one is moving, and the default mold half assignment, Automatic, can be used.

If there are more than two mold blocks it is important to define, manually, which is moving and which is fixed. If two mold elements in contact at a common interface have been assigned the same property, for example Fixed, then during mold open time they will be considered to be in contact with each other. If two mold elements in contact at a common interface have been assigned different properties, then this interface will be considered in contact with air during mold open time. Manually assigning the correct mold half property is particularly important when there are additional mold components to consider:

Mold inserts

If you have mold inserts, it is important to know which side of the mold the insert will stay, so that the correct insert face can cool with air during mold open time.

Rapid heating and cooling (RHC)

Rapid heating and cooling is a process where generally only one side of the mold is warmed. In order to simulate the heat transfer across the mold surfaces, accurately, the program needs to know which mold components are assigned to which mold half.

Cartridge heaters

Heater cartridges can be used to provide a rapid change in temperature on one side of the mold. Regulation depends on many factors and the resulting temperature is not constant in time. In order to simulate the heat transfer across the mold surfaces, accurately, the program needs to know which mold components are assigned to which mold half.

Dialog elements

Dialog Properties	Comment
Mold material	Select Use global settings in advanced options, if you would like to use the mold material values defined by the Advanced options of the Process Settings Wizard. To choose a different material, select Select a different mold material, click Select, twice, and select one from the table.
External heat transfer coefficients	Select Air for mold block surfaces surrounded by air. Assign specific values to surfaces in contact with metal, for example where the mold attaches to the platen.
Mold block conductance	A measure of conductance between two plates. The default is 30,000 W/m2*C, representing perfect clamping. Decrease this value to reflect less than perfect clamping.
Initial temperature for production start-up	This property is only used for Production Start-up analyses. Enter the temperature of the mold before the analysis starts.
Mold half assignment	The mold half assignment is important if you are using cartridge heaters or rapid heating and cooling, and want to extend the mold-open time. In order to simulate the heat transfer across the mold surfaces, the program needs to know which components are assigned to which mold half. The default setting is Automatic, in which case the program will try to identify the location of the parting plane. It is advisable that you assign the mold halves, manually, for meaningful results.
Name	The collection of property values defined in this dialog are saved to a property set with the description shown in the Name box. You can leave the default or type in a different name.