Molding simulation improves process for Engel presses

Injection molding machines (IMMs) Characterized by their tie-bar-less design, Engel’s IMMs come in a range of sizes, with clamping forces of about 31 tons to 6,200 tons, in vertical and horizontal layouts with hydraulic, hybrid and all-electric movements. 

What’s new? The incorporation of Engel’s sim link, an interface with the CADMould molding simulation program by Simcon Kunststofftechnische Software GmbH, Wuerselen, Germany. It can run on all Engel IMMs that use CC200 and CC3000 control units. Originally designed only to work with Autodesk for its simulation program Moldflow, sim link exchanges data between the simulation program and IMM. With it, users can import molding simulation data directly into the IMM via Engel’s e-connect customer portal, and transmit measurement data records from the machine control unit into the simulation program.  

Benefits Access to the data needed to improve both simulations and the molding process; simplified cooperation between simulation experts and process engineers; faster sampling of injection molds; optimized injection molding; and increased productivity. Sim link ensures complete data consistency and does away with time-consuming and error-prone manual input of data into the machine. This easy transfer of data between simulations and the IMM makes possible the in-depth analysis of unfavorable process settings, so users can more easily and quickly make modifications. With data from both the mold and the machine, manufacturers can speed up the process from mold design to good-part production; they also can leverage the data for continuous process analysis and optimization.  

Engel Machinery Inc., York, Pa., 717-764-6818, www.engelglobal.com