With the primary focus on hot runner applications, the new quick flow analysis technology and software offers several features and advantages.

Ease-of-Use
Targeting both advanced CAE analysts and broad plastics professionals (such as mold design engineers, moldmakers, project engineers, technical sales, molders, etc.), the software is simple to implement and use. There is no extensive training or prior experience required and no new difficult-to-understand terms or concepts introduced. Users literally can start doing actual flow analysis on their real jobs upon receiving the analysis software.

Speed
Any previously defined models are reusable and easy to modify. Users also can set up a library to store the frequently used system hardware and runner/gate configurations. With many unique and innovative analysis algorithms developed in the software, the users can analyze very quickly any type of hot and/or cold runner systems and get the results on all major parameters such as pressure drop, shear rate, runner volume, temperature rise, etc., in a matter of minutes. This quick speed makes it possible to obtain the critical data needed at any moment to make important decisions – even during a busy meeting with the customer or during an important conference call.

Low Cost
Being cost effective is another important feature for the quick flow analysis technology. The investment of implementing the technology could cost less than a simple two-drop hot runner system. Therefore, any company could easily afford and utilize this advanced analysis tool. Flow analysis really becomes accessible to all plastics engineers.

Handy and Practical
If the main goal is to specify and design the optimum hot runner system, the quick flow analysis technology will be very suitable, efficient and practical. It doesn’t require any part CAD file or meshed model as a prerequisite to run an analysis; therefore, the unavailability of a good part CAD file doesn’t prevent users from running analysis. This feature can be very handy, allowing the user to always be able to perform evaluations, even with very little information available, such as being given only the part’s weight or its overall dimensions (which often is the case in the early job quotation stage).

One basic role for all of the CAE programs is to assist decision making. By doing quick and simple simulations, the user will be able to know the difficulty levels of the job in order to make important go/no-go decisions. The real-life applications have proved that it is possible to often make the same important engineering decisions by using the alternative simple/quick tool as you could with complex and costly technologies.

Accuracy
Clearly, the most important fundamental requirement for any CAE software is the analysis accuracy. Despite the simplicity of use and the fast speed in calculation, this quick flow analysis technology really is supported by many underlying innovative and sophisticated algorithms and techniques. The software takes many important and complicated factors into account such as non-Newtonian flow of the polymers, shear heating effect, nonsteady temperature fields and others. The quick analysis technology described here has been used successfully and tested in numerous real hot runner-molding applications. The market feedback is very positive.