Vero Software, a leading provider of CAD/CAM/CAE solutions for the tooling industry announced the upcoming release of VISI Flow V. 18, that completes the full integration of VISI Flow into the VISI environment, and the analysis and simulation can be calculated and validated directly inside VISI.
VISI Flow is an affordable injection molding simulation software that uses a patented hexahedral hybrid mesh technology. It provides accurate results and is extremely fast. VISI Flow now has a powerful CAD capability which makes evaluating design changes easier and faster. VISI Flow is also integrated with VISI Mold and VISI Machining which facilitates faster transfer to manufacturing. VISI Flow Mesh Wizard, new thickness sphere algorithm, and feature recognition for runners and cooling channels, coupled with VISI Flow’s renowned high speed simulations enable users to achieve solutions faster than before. Along with gas-assist, sequential, and co-injection molding simulations, VISI Flow now offers simulation of over molding and cross linking polymers including liquid silicone rubbers. The new features to be included in the upcoming Version 18 release include:
Product Integration
VISI 18 completes the full integration of VISI Flow and now the plastic injection analysis and simulation can be launched and calculated from directly within VISI, eliminating the need of model preparation for analysis. Importantly, the calculation results are also visible within the same CAD environment providing the perfect toolset for comparing the original model against the warped prediction data after the molding process.
All variables can be displayed in a number of ways: color maps, graphics, numerical and animation. Graphics can also be displayed simultaneously with the part which makes it very clear where and when molding issues occur.
Virtual Resin Laboratory
A new 'virtual resin laboratory' has been developed for VISI 18 that allow users to create and test different kinds of resin grades which do not yet exist in the marketplace.
Importantly, VISI calculates for each grade and model the Energy Usage Indicator to highlight the costs related to the molding process. The Recyclability Index is also calculated highlighting the environmental impact when designing a new plastic product.
Shell Mesh
VISI Flow's patented mesh technology is a hybrid shell/solid mesh manager and allows the user to obtain the best advantages from both technologies - calculation speed (shell) and model preparation (solid). However, mostly in the automotive industry; flow analyses are required when a solid design is not yet available and the project is at a very early stage of the design process. VISI 18 will include the ability to perform a complete shell analysis to cover these needs. The engineer will be able to simulate the part when only a skin is available and that will greatly benefit aesthetic modelers and styling departments.
Insert Molding (Over molding option)
VISI 18 will include a tool for measuring the amount of deflection taking place at the tip of a core-pin inside a mold cavity. Non-uniform cavity pressure and cooling patterns make core-pins prone to deflection, resulting in out-of-tolerance thin and thick wall sections on the finished part. The simulation provides a method of determining deflection as it occurs during the molding process and allows the evaluation of possible design remedies, such us the analysis of a correct gate location. VISI 18 will allow the calculation of the composition of forces which act upon the insert.
Composites (thermo-set option)
Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) is a manufacturing process in which resin is injected into a fiber filled tool cavity to produce composite components. The RTM process is highly repeatable and is particularly suited to components requiring tight dimensional control, and the recurring costs for complex shapes are less than hand lay-up techniques. The costs for the design and manufacture of a RTM tool are high, and so it is vital to understand how the tool will perform and how the component design affects manufacturability. VISI 18 introduces a new calculation and simulation which enables the transfer of data from draping, resin injection and cure, through to performance analysis and life cycle assessment.
Warped Model Export
One of the most frequent requests has been the capability to export the mesh model after the shape calculation, typically to the structural analysis family such as Ansys, Cosmos, and Abacus etc. VISI 18 will offer a complete model export that will greatly benefit part designers who analyze the part stresses and performances of the molded part.
Select here for VISI Flow 18 product movie
