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Improving Injection-Mold Tooling Development with SOLIDWORKS Simulation Premium
Technology Category
- Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics
- Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Visualization
- Functional Applications - Product Lifecycle Management Systems (PLM)
Applicable Industries
- Plastics
Applicable Functions
- Product Research & Development
- Quality Assurance
Use Cases
- Manufacturing System Automation
- Predictive Maintenance
- Process Control & Optimization
Services
- Software Design & Engineering Services
- System Integration
The Challenge
Robert Elwell established PROCAD TECHNOLOGIES to leverage his experience in plastics engineering and injection-mold tooling development to help clients resolve mold-tooling issues, accelerate tooling cycles, and streamline production processes. The company needed a robust 3D design and analysis solution to quickly identify tooling issues and optimize molds for production. Elwell had tried various 3D design and analysis solutions over his career but preferred SOLIDWORKS software for its intuitiveness and value for the price. The challenge was to find a solution that could provide the necessary tools to help clients overcome injection-mold challenges and shorten production cycle times.
About The Customer
PROCAD TECHNOLOGIES, founded by Robert Elwell, is a full-service electromechanical product design, tooling engineering, and process optimization consultancy. The company specializes in product and mold design, tooling engineering and process optimization, and materials analysis and recycling technologies. With 30 years of experience in plastics engineering and injection-mold tooling development, Elwell brings a wealth of knowledge to identifying and rectifying mold development and production problems. PROCAD TECHNOLOGIES provides a comprehensive range of design, engineering, and product development services, taking product development all the way through manufacturing and helping optimize tooling design and production processes.
The Solution
PROCAD TECHNOLOGIES standardized on SOLIDWORKS Premium design and SOLIDWORKS Simulation Premium analysis software to optimize injection-molded tooling. The software provides a fast, easy-to-use solution for mold development and analysis, including core and cavity, wall thickness, and draft analysis. The nonlinear FEA simulation capabilities in SOLIDWORKS Simulation Premium allow for the identification and resolution of mold production issues. By bringing 3D visualization and nonlinear analysis to tooling development, PROCAD TECHNOLOGIES can pinpoint issues such as mold bending due to high pressures and recommend improvements to shorten cycle times. The software helps in identifying and fixing potential problems, improving performance, and shortening cycle times by 10 to 50 percent.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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