Technology Breakthrough in Plastics CAE: C-MOLD's Mesh Express

Strategic Insights -

C-MOLD, a global leader in plastics CAE applications, has announced a significant technology advancement with the introduction of Mesh Express, a software tool that automatically converts solid models into midplane finite element models (FEM). This breakthrough is set to revolutionize the simulation process, slashing the time requirements and improving productivity for engineers working with plastics CAE. By leveraging the universal STL file format, Mesh Express provides a seamless integration with 3D QuickFill, offering a fast and accurate way to generate FEM models from CAD solids.

Key Takeaways:

  • C-MOLD's Mesh Express is a software tool that automatically converts solid models into midplane finite element models (FEM), reducing the time requirements for creating midplane FEM models from solids.
  • The technology uses a stereolithography (STL) file format, which is a universal input format used by 3D QuickFill, allowing for seamless integration.
  • The software has been tested by customers such as Plastic Moldings Corp., Crown Cork & Seal Company, and Delphi Energy and Engine Management Systems, with positive results.
  • Camothy J. Noel, simulation analysis engineer at Plastic Moldings Corp., reported completing filling and post-filling simulations on two models that would have been difficult or impossible to create manually.
  • Mark D. Campbell, senior special projects engineer at Crown Cork & Seal Company, used Mesh Express to translate an STL mesh into a C-MOLD mesh, achieving accurate results with minimal manual intervention.
  • Bill Bryner, project engineer at Delphi Energy and Engine Management Systems, used Mesh Express to complete a Shrinkage and Warpage simulation in less than two days, a process that would have taken approximately 24 man-hours without the tool.
  • C-MOLD's Mesh Express has been hailed as a valuable tool by customers, saving time and improving productivity by providing fast, highly accurate information for engineers working with plastics CAE.
  • Peter Medina, C-MOLD's chief operating officer and senior vice-president of sales and marketing, stated that Mesh Express is a significant innovation that helps speed time-to-market for new product development.

Statistics:

  • 24 man-hours: the estimated time it would take to create a midplane FEM model manually.
  • 90%: the accuracy of thickness information achieved using Mesh Express.
  • 2 days: the time it took to complete a Shrinkage and Warpage simulation using Mesh Express.
  • 25,000: the number of software licenses used by C-MOLD's customers worldwide.
  • 1,300: the number of customers using C-MOLD products globally.

Sources:

  • "Technology Automatically Creates Midplane Finite Element Models From CAD Solids Breakthrough Offering Slashes Time Requirements to Use Industry's Most Reliable Plastics CAE Technology" (Business Wire, Nov. 24, 1998)
  • C-MOLD (press release, Nov. 24, 1998)
  • C-MOLD website (http://www.cmold.com)