Process Settings Wizard dialog-Compression Settings for 3D Injection-Compression Molding

This page of the Process Settings Wizard is used to specify the compression-related settings for the selected analysis sequence.

To access this dialog, click (Home tab > Molding Process Setup panel > Process Settings), then click Next until the Compression Settings page appears.

The options that appear in this dialog will depend on whether you are running a 3D model.

Dialog element	Comment
Compression direction	Specify the compression direction. Options are: -Z This is the default setting. Compression is in the negative Z-direction. +Z Compression is in the positive Z-direction.
Initial press open distance	Specify the distance that the press travels from its initial stationary position to the position where the gap between the moving and stationary mold halves is equal to the final part thickness.
Include press opening under specified speed profile	If this option is on, the press opening under speed profile can be specified by clicking "Edit values" button.
Press compression starts	Specify when press compression should begin. Options are: At the end of packing This is the default setting. Press compression begins at the end of the packing stage. By time Specify a duration relative to the start of the process after which press compression starts. By % volume filled Specify the percentage of cavity volume to be filled before press compression starts. By ram position Specify the distance the ram is to move before press compression starts.
Press compression time	Specify the time period during which the compression press moves, compressing the plastic. After completion of the press compression time, the press remains stationary until the end of the process.
Press speed cap	Specify a maximum value for the press speed.
Press compression force cap	Specify a maximum value for the press compression force.
Press compression speed vs distance (compression is along z-axis)	The compression press moves in incremental distances. In each increment, the press moves at a speed calculated from the distance vs speed profile. For each increment, enter the distance and speed.
Switch to press force control	Specify when press force control begins. Options are: From the start of compression Press force control begins when the compression stage begins. If compression starts before the end of the injection packing profile is reached, the switch to press force control will be delayed until the packing profile has been completed and the injection location has been closed. Only when the press force reaches the compression force cap Press force control begins when the compression force reaches the defined maximum value. By % nodes filled Press force control begins after a specific percentage of nodes have been filled. This is the default. By time Press force control begins at a specific time after the start of the analysis. By press force Press force control begins when the press force reaches a specified value.
Compression force after switch to press force control	Specify compression force versus duration during press force control. Options are: Relative to the value at switchover This is the default setting. Click Edit values, and specify the duration of each relative press compression force value. Absolute value Click Edit values, and specify the duration of each absolute press compression force value.
Advanced options	Displays the advanced options for the analysis.