Smart Molding International 4-2021

software 42 smart_molding international 4/2021 D u r i n g Fa kuma 2 0 2 1 i n Friedrichshafen, Germany, SIGMA Engineering GmbH presented new developments of SIGMASOFT®. The new version 5.3.1 now allows the simulation of Com - pression Molding processes of rubber compounds. Up to now, simulative design of mold and process was mainly focusing on modern injection molding technol - ogy. Since SIGMASOFT® is successfully introduced at many leading elastomer- molders, there was always a request to also implement the older processes, which remain technically required and/ or cost-critical for manufacturing preci - sion parts and O-rings, partly in small series. The simulation allows reliable prediction of curing degree and cycle- data. Questions around shape, weight, position and number of preforms can also be investigated. The quality of the molded parts can be optimized while reducing the material consumption, without time-consuming and costly trial-work. “It sounds easy, but implementation was relatively complex”, explains SIGMA CTO Timo Gebauer: “The challenge is, that the cavity, or the room into which we inject, constantly changes during the closing of the mold. At the same time the inserted preforms are already heating up, are plasticizing and de - forming. This development would not have passed the finish line without continuous advise and vali - dation through our customers.” Different to Thermoplastics, in the industry only few standardized elastomer compounds are avail - able. Therefore, SIGMASOFT® fea - tures the creation of own material laws, based on internal or external measurements and supports users during implementation. “It’s interesting, with this ap - proach there is practically no re - maining difference between Transfer and Compression Molding processes for the simulation. Technically, the injection sprue in the middle platen becomes part of the cavity. In the vali - dation, we therefore also calculated Transfer Molding Tools successfully”, says Gebauer. “We are curious, how the most advanced simulation ap - proach is accepted by the experienced rubber manufacturers for the oldest processes.” SIGMASOFT® v5.3.1 not only in - cludes the first possibility to simulate Compression Molding of Elastomers, but offers especially in the area of Thermoplastics numerous innova - tions and improvements for example a more precise prediction of warpage and shrinkage. The Autonomous Opti - mization feature included in the soft - ware now also works for 2 component parts. Additionally, the material data base was enhanced. SIGMA www.sigmasoft.de During Fakuma 2021, SIGMA Engineering presented the latest release of SIGMASOFT® Virtual Molding. Besides a further refined prediction of warpage and numerous enhancements for the calculation of multicomponent parts it contains the possibility to analyze compression molding processes for the first time. The development of this new simulation mode was accompanied by a close exchange of experiences with leading elastomer processors. Simulate compression molding for the first time 25 cavities and 9 preforms in a compression molding process (picture: SIGMA)