A weld surface is the representation, through the thickness of the part, of where flow fronts meet at an angle typically greater than 135o. The weld surface can now be visualized for parts analyzed using 3D technology.
Previously only the surface weld line was available for investigating the impact of the meeting of flow fronts. With this release, a weld surface is created that displays the location and extent of the flow front interaction through the part thickness.
Two new results are available:
- Weld surface formation (3D)
- The Weld surface formation is a representation of anywhere the flow fronts initially meet. This result is similar to the existing Weld lines result.
- Weld surface movement (3D)
- This animated result traces a weld surface throughout the Fill, Pack and Cool cycle.
- After the surfaces are initially formed, they might move and end up in locations removed from their initial formation. Factors such as flow front temperature, material transition temperature, shear rate, and mold temperature will influence the mobility of these surfaces.
- The final location of upstream weld surfaces may explain localized surface imperfections or points of structural property differences.
- The final screen of this result will be markedly different from the other two weld line results as this is a dynamic result and not a representation of the initial flow front meeting.