Moldflow Plastics Advisers are easy-to-use, 3D solids-based plastics flow simulation tools that allow plastics part designers and injection mold makers to predict the manufacturability and quality of their designs during the preliminary product development stages and avoid potential downstream problems which can lead to delays and cost overruns. MPA is commercially available in two products — Moldflow Part Adviser and Moldflow Mold Adviser.

The Moldflow Part Adviser module is the ideal tool to quickly check the manufacturability and quality of plastic part designs when the cost of change is least — early in the design process. Users can get rapid feedback on how modifications to wall thickness, gate locations, material choice or part geometry can affect the filling pattern and pressure and temperature distributions in the part cavity. The analysis results and detailed design advice can be used to determine the optimum part thickness and gate locations as well as to identify and eliminate quality issues such as weld lines, air traps and sink marks.

The Moldflow Mold Adviser module extends the capabilities of Moldflow Part Adviser to allow mold designers to create and simulate plastic flow through single cavity, multi-cavity and family molds. Users can optimize gate type, size and location as well as runner layout, size and cross-sectional shape. Analysis results include cycle time, clamp tonnage, and shot size, all of which help the design-to-manufacturing team size the injection molding machine, minimize cycle times and reduce manufacturing waste. Optional Moldflow Mold Adviser add-on modules allow users to simulate more phases of the injection molding process and evaluate molded part performance and cooling circuit design.