by Kristina Drake
Frontloading simulation means making the shift from “test and fix” to “simulate and innovate.” In mold design, simulation is typically used at the verification stage – as a final check late in the process. Unfortunately, it sometimes comes too late in the process to avoid costly re-work and delays. With two weeks per round of simulation and five or six design iterations, the investment of time and effort quickly adds up. Earlier simulation is key to getting the design right, faster.
Advantages of early simulation
Here are three good reasons to frontload simulation in your mold design operations.
- The first is about speed. The design iteration cycle takes much less time when third-party hand-offs and delays are eliminated. Mold designers can quickly and repeatedly autonomously evaluate, iterate and optimize their mold designs, to deliver better designs faster.
- The second is about removing the hunch factor. Design choices that have been run through simulation can be optimized based on data and scientific results, not guesswork and opinion (or worse, demand or internal politics).
- The third is about quality. When you can catch and fix potential issues early, you reduce the risk of producing poor quality molds, waste and expensive re-work. What’s more, rather than simply passing minimum quality levels, you can deliver designs that improve the bottom line with shorter cooling cycles and better thermal management.
Small steps to a competitive advantage
Frontloading simulation is the key to delivering high-quality, data-backed mold designs on time – and earning loyal, highly satisfied customers.
SimForm is one easy way to start frontloading simulation in your mold design process.
Discover the benefits of quick and early part and mold temperature prediction today.