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Compression Molding
Defining mold properties
Defining mold properties based on your analysis type ensures that the SimForm solver correctly identifies the mold components in your CAD model and considers their material properties in the thermal analysis.
Define the basic mold
You must define the size and the mold material of the basic mold. The SimForm app solver considers the effect of the mold size and material on part quality and cooling time estimations.

Compression Molding
- Compression molding overview
  Use SimForm to perform thermal cooling analyses for your plastic compression mold designs. These analyses help you identify hot spots on the plastic part and develop cooling layouts to improve part quality and reduce cycle times.
- Setting up a simulation workflow
  You can set up and run a SimForm project by uploading your CAD file, categorizing components, selecting materials, and running simulations.
- Navigating the app interface
  The SimForm interface allows you to create and access projects and jobs, as well as add and manage users and account credits.
- Using projects and jobs
  Use projects and jobs in SimForm to manage and organize your mold design tests.
- Setting up a simulation
  Use the setup page to categorize and define your model components properties for the solver to identify them.
- Defining mold properties
  Defining mold properties based on your analysis type ensures that the SimForm solver correctly identifies the mold components in your CAD model and considers their material properties in the thermal analysis.
  - Define the mold for a channel assessment job
    You must categorize your mold components and define their materials to allow the SimForm app solver to identify them.
  - Define the mold for feasibility and channel recommender jobs
    You must define the material of the mold in the feasibility and channel recommender analyses. The SimForm solver assumes a well-designed mold for considering the effect of the mold material on part quality and cooling time estimations.
  - Define the basic mold
    You must define the size and the mold material of the basic mold. The SimForm app solver considers the effect of the mold size and material on part quality and cooling time estimations.
  - Define a new mold material
    Define and add custom materials for mold components in SimForm to evaluate the thermal performance of different materials and optimize your mold design.
  - Modify multiple material properties using a CSV file
    This example shows how to update the properties of multiple custom materials by downloading, editing, and uploading a CSV file—eliminating the need to change each material manually.
  - Custom Mold Material options
    The custom mold material window lets you define a new mold material in your job.
- Defining plastic part properties
  Categorize your plastic part components and define their materials to allow the SimForm app solver to identify them.
- Defining cooling channels
  In a channel assessment job, if your model contains cooling channels, you must define the components that represent them so the solver can identify them.
- Defining manufacturing constraints
  In a channel recommender job, manufacturing constraints let you specify practical limits for how cooling channels can be manufactured in your mold.
- Running a simulation
  When running a simulation, the solver relies on specific assumptions and automated processes to ensure accurate and efficient results.
- Viewing results
  The results page allows you to view and explore the thermal analysis results of your job after its simulation is completed.
- Tutorials
  These examples are designed to help you become familiar with some of the major features available in SimForm.
- Glossary

Define the basic mold

You must define the size and the mold material of the basic mold. The SimForm app solver considers the effect of the mold size and material on part quality and cooling time estimations.

A channel assessment job with an uploaded plastic part design.

Enable the Use Basic Mold mode.

SimForm generates a rectangular mold around your plastic part.
In the Basic Mold card, type the mold dimensions in millimeters by specifying the values in the Mold Size - X, Mold Size - Y, and Mold Size - Z boxes.
Expand the Select Material list and select a material from the list or click Add Material to create a custom material.
Click hide to hide the basic mold and display the plastic part for categorization.

You must categorize your plastic part components and define their materials to allow the SimForm app solver to identify them.