SIGMA Engineering Releases SIGMASOFT 5.0

By DE Editors

SIGMA Engineering has released SIGMASOFT Version 5.0, the latest version of its process-oriented simulation software. According to the company, the solution's reengineered solver and new meshing concept can reduce the simulation time required in elastomer applications by up to 80%. That can allow simulation to be integrated in the elastomer processing on a daily basis, both for part design and process troubleshooting.

"With SIGMASOFT Version 5.0, we have achieved a major breakthrough in injection molding simulation," said Marco Thornagel, executive manager at Sigma. "Some years ago, users had to wait sometimes days to get the results of a simulation. It was not viable to use simulation to support every-day production activities, or to quickly optimize products. Now, however, simulation can be part of the daily production tools used in the mold shop or in the production floor, to deliver reliable and profitable answers both to design new products and to optimize existing molds."

With the implementation of Finite Volume numerical methods, not only can the cavity be considered in the simulation, but also the complete real mold configuration, including tempering channels, heating elements and inserts, the company says.

The new meshing technique in the latest version of the software uses "unstructured meshes." These are intelligent meshes, which can automatically mesh finer regions where complex thermal and flow phenomena take place, such as part boundaries, thin walls or complex runner systems. It also can save mesh elements in regions where fewer interactions take place, such as mold boundaries.

Through parallelization, the new solver architecture makes it possible to exploit the potential of multi-core technology in state-of-the-technology computers. The technology now allows users to simulate more complicated injection molding processes.

For more information, visit SIGMA Engineering.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.