Running an injection-compression overmolding analysis

The injection-compression overmolding analysis consists of a 2-step process where injection-compression can occur on either the first shot or on the second shot. The overmolding stage on the second cavity uses a different material from the first analysis, and the element temperatures from the first shot are used as the initial temperatures for the second shot.

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. In this task you will create a new study for the injection-compression overmolding analysis of the two components.

1. Create a new project.
2. Click (Home tab > Import panel > Import), locate and import the study describing the second component in the overmolding process.
3. Click (Home tab > Molding Process Setup panel > Thermoplastics Injection-Compression Overmolding).
4. Click (Home tab > Molding Process Setup panel > Analysis Sequence) and select the appropriate analysis sequence.
5. Click Ctrl+A to select the entire part model.

You now apply the appropriate property to the part.

6. Right-click in the Model pane, click Properties, and if there is more than one option, select each one in turn and assign the appropriate conditions.
   • The part should be assigned the property Overmolding second component (3D). Enter the appropriate settings then click OK.
   • The runner should be assigned the appropriate property, eg. Cold runner. Select each of the dialog tabs in turn and enter the appropriate conditions.
7. Click (Home tab > Import panel > Add), 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, 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, then click Ctrl+A to select the entire first component model.
10. Right-click in the Model pane, click Properties, and assign appropriate properties and conditions to the various components. If you have more than just the part, repeat this for each component.
11. Make the second component visible again.
12. Click the down arrow associated with (Home tab > molding Process Setup panel > Select Material) and click Select Material A.
13. Find and select the material to be used for the first shot.
14. Click the down arrow associated with (Home tab > molding Process Setup panel > Select Material) and click Select Material B.
15. Find and select the material to be used for the second, overmolded shot.
16. Click in the Study Task pane, and set an injection location on the first component model.
17. Click in the Study Task pane, and set an injection location on the second component model.
18. Click (Home tab > Molding Process Setup panel > Process Settings) and specify the process settings for both the first shot and for the overmolded shot on the respective Wizard pages, then click Finish.
19. Click (Home tab > Analysis panel > Start Analysis).