Microcellular injection molding for models with 3D meshes

The Microcellular injection molding simulation, which has been available for models with Midplane and Dual Domain meshes, has been extended to include models with 3D mesh types.

The 3D implementation of the microcellular injection molding simulation feature can be set up entirely from within the Process Settings Wizard. From the Microcellular Injection Molding Settings page of the Process Settings Wizard, you can select the supercritical fluid (SFC) or foaming agent you want to use, you can edit the properties of the foaming agent, and you can select which bubble nucleation model you want to use; the Constant nucleation density model, which is selected by default, or the new Fitted Classical Nucleation model.

The following microcellular results are returned, when running this analysis:

Linear thermal expansion coefficient (Microcellular): The Linear thermal expansion coefficient (Microcellular) result can be used to help predict part shrinkage that may occur as a result of the temperature changes.
Poisson's ratio (Microcellular): Poisson's ratios (Microcellular) are mechanical property values that indicate strain in a specific direction, caused by stress from another direction. These results are used in a subsequent Stress analysis.
Tensile modulus (Microcellular): The Tensile modulus (Microcellular) result indicates how much stress is needed to cause a unit of movement.
Shear Modulus (Microcellular): The Shear modulus, sometimes called the rigidity modulus, refers to the change produced by a tangential stress, and provides a measure of how "stiff" the material is.
Bubble pressure result: This result shows the pressure of the gas inside the bubble, distributed across the part. If the bubble pressure is too high, warpage may occur.
Bubble radius result: This result shows the size of the bubbles, distributed throughout the part. Both temperature and pressure affect the growth of the bubbles.
Bubble number density result: This result shows the density of bubbles distributed throughout the part. The number of bubbles nucleated depends on the nature and volume of the foaming gas, the polymer properties, the local temperature, and the pressure.