Shrinkage vs Warpage

Deflection results on parts define how far a node has moved from its original location. User interpretation determines if the deflection is shrinkage or warpage. Usually the deflection in a part is some combination shrinkage and warpage.

Shrinkage is defined as a change in size. Warpage is a change in shape. In the following figure, the transparent green part is the original base part. It is in the XY plane. The solid blue part is smaller in the X-direction and Y-direction, therefore it is completely shrinkage. The solid yellow part bows in the Z-direction and changed in the X-direction, and Y-direction so it shows shrinkage and warpage. Actual injection molded parts are some combination of both shrinkage and warpage. It is up to you to decide what shrinkage is and what is warpage. The figure is shown as if anchors were used.

A = Original part

B = Part with shrinkage only

C = Part with shrinkage and warpage