Heater elements can be modeled and used to heat the hot runners. The Cool (FEM) analysis sequence must be set in order to take advantage of this feature.
Select the Dual Domain Cool (FEM), or 3D Cool (FEM) analysis sequence.
Note: For a Dual Domain model, the part is a Dual Domain mesh, the runners are beam elements and all other components of the mold are tetrahedral elements.
- Import the model, and mesh each component separately.
- Assign relevant element properties, such as part, mold, cooling channel, etc. to all components.
- Select all components of the hot runner channel through which molten plastic flows, and assign to them the property Hot runner if they are beam elements, or Hot runner (3D) if they are tetrahedral elements.
- Select the all elements defining the heater and assign to them the property Heater element (3D).
- Select all other modeled components of the hot drop and/or manifold system, and assign to them the property Mold insert.
- Select the Hot runner or Hot runner (3D) components, that is the hot runner components through which the molten plastic flows, right click and select Properties from the drop-down menu.
- Select Use heater element from the Heat loss into mold option drop-down box. This will allow the plastic inside the runner to assume the temperature of the heater element.
- Set all the process settings and launch the analysis.