A quantitative comparison and validation of computer aided engineering softwares simulating the plastics injection molding process

This study compares and investigates which CAE injection molding software, Moldflow(TM) and Moldex3D(TM), is more accurate when predicting what was done in injection molding. All aspects of the simulating process were taken into consideration, from mesh to material data as well as feed system design approach. For validation purposes two different plastics parts were molded from two different materials to reach further into the spectrum of the simulations. Results investigated include fill time, injection velocity, skin temperature, and injection pressure. Flow pattern and other special interests such as weld-line, air traps, etc. were also investigated. Results from the molding trials showed that predictions from Moldex3D(TM) were slightly closer to actual molded values than those predicted by Moldflow although, quantitatively neither software provided results that exactly matched reality. There are a few minor features that each software has to differentiate it selves, but other than that they are qualitatively the same. It takes plastics engineering knowledge to apply the results to have a positive influence in injection molding.