Software Pages 15 to 20 By Aaron Guo and Chetan Gautam Motion simulation software empowers designers to verify designs in the virtual world irst and make necessary optimiza-tions before sending the part for manufacturing. Mold designers can also use motion simulation software to check designs for potential interference conditions and to avoid costly damage caused by collisions. This software is most effective when used during the early design stages. Here are ive key features/functions to consider when evaluat-ing motion simulation: . Adding timing dimen-sion helps transform static There is no need to apply D designs into animated D geometric, dimensional designs. Motion simulation or motion constraints to software enables mold design-ers to prove everything out in your 3D CAD model. the virtual world and have it work in the mold before the manufacturing stage begins. The added dimension of time in the static D design models enables the designer to simulate the complete production cycle without having to apply geometric and other motion constraints manu-ally. This is the same as watching the real production taking place in front of you in CAE/CAD/CAM software. . De ining a complete mold project entails the user deining all the technical parameters of each mechanism used in the mold Complicated mold mechanisms ready for virtual simulation. assembly. Motion simulation software dramatically reduces the time it takes to complete setup. There may be hundreds, if not thousands, of individual parts in a complete mold assem-bly that require simulation to verify design functionality. The typical method of simulating a D CAD model involves constraining geometry, plugging in values and going through the sequencing of different mechanisms and individual parts, which can take a few days, or even weeks, to complete. Motion simulation software can help cut that time to a matter of a few hours, if not minutes. There is no need to apply geometric, dimensional or motion constraints to your D CAD model to run simulations to verify design functionality, as it is all han-dled intelligently by the motion simulation software. . Testing individual mechanisms or adjusting parameters ( such as ejection stroke and timing, lifter height and timing, slide linear or rotary travel, performance or design feasibility) is streamlined to a few seconds or minutes with motion simula-tion software. . Verifying design feasibility of complex mechanisms can be performed virtually. For example, when a designer is look-ing for a combination of conventional and non-conventional mechanisms, he or she can use the software to verify the design functionality in a dynamic simulated D environment. This enables designers to push the envelope, achieve higher productivity gains and facilitate ingenuity. . Streamlining design review and training. Many mold build-ers use motion simulation software for their design review meetings to speed up the process, while others use the soft-ware platform for mold designer enablement training. FOR MORE INFORMATION Longterm Technology Solutions / 226-777-0162 / longtermtec.com Aaron Guo, Owner, Longterm Technology Services Chetan Gautam, Senior Technical Support Engineer Potential interference conditions preliminary analysis. 20 Mo MoldMaking Technology y — — JULY JU 2021 202 Images courtesy of Longterm Technology Services and Cavalier Tool & Manufacturing. Five Ways to Tackle Tough Mold Designs