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Compression Molding
Setting up a simulation
Use the setup page to categorize and define your model components properties for the solver to identify them.

Compression Molding
- Compression molding overview
  Use SimForm to perform a thermal cooling analysis for your plastic compression mold designs. These analyses help you identify hot spots on the plastic part and develop cooling layouts to improve the 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.
  - Setup verification list
    The verification list allows you to make sure that all required elements are defined for solving your model.
  - Setup display window options
    The setup display window shows the CAD model in 3D and contains a toolbar for selection and view manipulation.
  - Setup right panel options
    On the setup page, use the setup right panel cards to assign your model components to their category. This allows the SimForm solver to correctly identify the mold components in your CAD model and consider their material properties in the thermal analysis.
- 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.
- 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 design projects, if your model contains cooling channels, you must define the components that represent them so the solver can identify them.
- 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

Setting up a simulation

Use the setup page to categorize and define your model components properties for the solver to identify them.

After you upload your CAD mold design, you must configure the model to define necessary components for solving.

Defining the mold

The process of defining the mold depends on the project type:

For a design project with the basic mold mode disabled, you must identify the components of your model as mold by assigning them to a mold group and define the material for each mold group.
For a design project with the basic mold mode enabled, you must specify the basic mold size and define its material.
For a feasibility project, you must define the mold material.

The software uses the mold properties to compute the heat flow in your model.

Defining the plastic part

You must identify the components in your design that define the plastic part by assigning them in the Plastic Part card and defining their material properties. You can also use the Runners section to categorize components as cold runners. The solver recognizes the plastic part and runner components and considers their material properties during the analysis.

Defining the cooling channels

To define the cooling channels, you must:

Identify the components or surfaces that define the channels by assigning them in the Channels card.
Repair baffles definition if needed.
Define one inlet and one or more outlets for each channel.
Specify the cooling inlet temperature if needed.