Autodesk Moldflow Insight 2012

AMI Import and Export

Revision 1, 21 March 2012. This document contains Autodesk and third-party software license agreements/notices and/or additional terms and conditions for licensed third-party software components included within the product. These notices and/or additional terms and conditions are made a part of and incorporated by reference into the Autodesk Software License Agreement and/or the About included as part of the Help function within the software.

Contents

Chapter 1

Supported model import formats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Supported model import formats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Importing a CAD model. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Importing an ASCII model file. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Importing a model of the core from a CAD program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Importing a Moldflow Plastics Insight 2.0 project. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Supported model import formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 ImportCreate New Project dialog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Import dialog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Autodesk Moldflow Design Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Autodesk Moldflow Design Link. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Autodesk Moldflow Design Link. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Chord angle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Mesh on assembly contact faces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Supported IGES entities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Supported STEP entities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Using models imported from Autodesk Simulation products. . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Using models imported from Autodesk Simulation products. . . . . . . . . . 13

iii

Importing IGES model files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Importing IGES model files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Importing STL model files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Importing STL model files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Importing ANSYS model files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Importing IDEAS universal model files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Importing NASTRAN bulk data model files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Importing PATRAN neutral model files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Importing a C-MOLD *.fem file. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Importing a C-MOLD *.fem file. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Chapter 2

Exporting models and files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Exporting models and files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Exporting files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Exporting the project to a ZIP file. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Exporting an ASCII model file. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Exporting results to an Autodesk Moldflow Results file. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Exporting a surface mesh for use with Autodesk Moldflow Adviser. . . . . . 32 Exporting CAD geometry to a SAT v7 file for use with Autodesk Inventor Fusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Exporting models and files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Autodesk Moldflow Insight to Abaqus interface (Midplane). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Autodesk Moldflow Insight to Abaqus interface (Midplane). . . . . . . . . . . 36 Autodesk Moldflow Insight to Abaqus interface (3D). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Autodesk Moldflow Insight to Abaqus interface (3D). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Autodesk Moldflow Insight to ANSYS interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Autodesk Moldflow Insight to ANSYS interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Autodesk Moldflow Insight to LS-DYNA interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Exporting to LS-DYNA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Exporting to PATRAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Exporting to PATRAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Export to NASTRAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Export to NASTRAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Export to Altair Hyper3D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Export to Altair Hyper3D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Export to Code V. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

iv

Export to Code V. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Chapter 3

MPX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 9
MPX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Importing machine characteristics from MPX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Editing imported machine characteristics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Importing process settings from MPX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Editing imported process settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Editing DOE settings after importing process variations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 MPX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Measured/Fitted Profile Data from MPX dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

vi

Supported model import formats

This table lists the model formats that you can import.

1
Direct Import of native CAD 1 format Yes Yes

NOTE: The table below lists the various model formats that you can import. Note that most of these formats require additional Autodesk Moldflow Design Link software to be installed. The add-in enables you to read additional file formats.
File format Autodesk Inventor 2012 Recognized file extensions *.ipt *.iam CATIA V5R20 CATIA V5R20 Assembly Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 5.0 Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 5.0 Assembly Parasolid V22 Required software Autodesk Moldflow Design Link Autodesk Moldflow Design Link

*.catpart, *.catproduct Autodesk Moldflow Yes Design Link for CATIA

V5

*.prt, *.asm

Autodesk Moldflow Design Link for

Pro/ENGINEER

Yes

*.x_t,*.x_b,*.xmt_txt,*.xmb,*.xmt Autodesk Moldflow Design Link for

Parasolid

Yes

SolidWorks 2011 SolidWorks 2011 2 Assembly

*.sldprt, *.sldasm

Autodesk Moldflow Design Link for

Parasolid

Yes

Direct Import is a feature introduced in Autodesk Moldflow Design Link 2010-R2, which allows a better and more robust meshing of CAD geometries, as well as many improvements like a reduction in the load time of CAD models for example. Direct Import requires Autodesk Moldflow Design Link to be installed. Requires SolidWorks to be installed.

File format SAT

3

Recognized file extensions *.sat *.stp,*.step

Required software

Direct Import of native 1 CAD format

Autodesk Moldflow Yes Design Link Autodesk Moldflow No Design Link for Parasolid or Autodesk Moldflow Design Link for
Pro/ENGINEER

STEP

IGES

*.igs,*.iges

None or Autodesk Moldflow Design Link for Parasolid or Autodesk Moldflow Design Link for
Pro/ENGINEER

No

Autodesk study file *.sdy ANSYS Prep 7 I-DEAS Universal *.ans *.unv

None None None None None None None

Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable

NASTRAN Bulk Data *.bdf PATRAN Neutral Stereolithography ASCII model *.pat,*.out *.stl *.udm

NOTE:

When saving the model, ensure that the extension matches the entry in the table above. Unless the model has a *.sdy file format, only a single cavity can be imported. Multiple cavity models must be separated into single cavities before import.

Direct Import is a feature introduced in Autodesk Moldflow Design Link 2010-R2, which allows a better and more robust meshing of CAD geometries, as well as many improvements like a reduction in the load time of CAD models for example. Direct Import requires Autodesk Moldflow Design Link to be installed. You can import a SAT file (versions 4.07.0).

2 | Supported model import formats

Supported model import formats

You can import models of different formats into this product for analysis.

Importing a CAD model

You can import existing CAD model files to begin the part design process. Before you import a model, it is best that you first create a new project or open an existing project. When you import a CAD model, you are prompted to select the following settings:

mesh type units (when an STL model is selected)

Information specific to STL is also included below. NOTE: Autodesk Moldflow Design Link is the preferred method for importing geometry data. 1 2 Open an existing project or create a new project. Click Home tab > Import panel > Import, or right-click in the Project Import.

View pane and select 3 4 5 6

Select the correct file extension for your CAD model from the Files of type drop-down list. Navigate to the folder where your CAD model is located and select it. Click Open. Select the appropriate mesh type from the Import dialog, then click OK. NOTE: If you chose to import an STL model, (with extension *.stl) you will also need to specify the appropriate units from the Import dialog.

Click OK.

The model appears inside the Project View pane.

Importing an ASCII model file

You can import existing ASCII model files. When you import the model file, you will be prompted to select the mesh type that you want to work with. 1 2 Open an existing project or create a new project. Click Home tab > Import panel > Import, or right-click in the Project Import.

View pane and select

Supported model import formats | 3

3 4 5 6

In the Files of type drop-down list, select ASCII/Binary Model (*.udm). Navigate to the folder where your model is located, select the file, and then click Open. Select the appropriate mesh type from the Import dialog that appears. Click OK.

Importing a model of the core from a CAD program

You can import the core model from a CAD program. If you want the core to extend past the end of the part, use create a mold insert. (Inserts) to

NOTE: You can prepare the core while it is mesh if the starting point of the core is the mesh of the part, originally exported from Autodesk Moldflow Insight. This ensures the mesh of the core will match the part perfectly. If you are importing the geometry of the core created in a CAD package, it will be difficult to match the surface mesh between the core and the part. 1 2 3 4 5 Import the CAD model of the core into a new study, using a Dual Domain mesh with a similar density to the part model. Double click the mesh icon in the Study Tasks pane to create the Dual Domain mesh. Repair the mesh where necessary to ensure it has no errors. Change the properties of the elements on the Core elements layer to Part Surface (Dual Domain). Change the mesh type to 3D and remesh the core. TIP: Use a minimum of 4 elements through the thickness of the mesh. NOTE: The core mesh and the part mesh must be within the Surface Matching Tolerance value (default: 0.22mm). 6 Set the Property Type of all elements on all layers to Core 3D. TIP: The name of the property assigned will be displayed in the analysis logs. If you have multiple cores, you can apply a separate Core 3D property with a different name to the elements in each of the cores. 7 You can change the material of the core and the local mold surface temperature control by selecting all elements on all layers, then editing their properties: 8 Geometry tab > Properties panel > Edit.

You must set a fixed constraint on the nodes at the fixed end of the core, where it joins to the mold. Click Boundary Conditions tab > Constraints and Loads panel > Constraints > Fixed Constraint.

4 | Supported model import formats

Select all the nodes at the fixed end of the core. TIP: Ensure that the Select Enclosed Entities option is set (Geometry tab > Selection panel > Select Enclosed entities) and that you rotate the part so the nodes you want to select are in a line. This stops unwanted nodes from being selected.

10 In the Input Parameters section of the Fixed Constraint tool, select Core-shift Analysis from the Use constraint in drop down box, then select Apply to apply the fixed constraint. 11 Rename the layers with core elements in them to:

Core nodes Core tetras Core constraints

This prevents duplication of existing layer names, and allows you to easily identify the core layers when the core is added to the model of the part. 12 Click then click Save > Save Study to save your study.

13 Open the study containing the model of the part, and add the study containing the core model to it. The model is now ready to be used in a Core-shift analysis.

Importing a Moldflow Plastics Insight 2.0 project

You can import an entire project from MPI 2.0, including the model and results files, as indicated below. 1 2 3 4 5 Right-click in the Project View pane and select Import. The Import dialog appears. Navigate to the location of the MPI 2.0 Projects (moldflow.prj). Change the Files of Type to MPI 2.0 Projects (moldflow.prj). Click Open. The ImportCreate Project dialog appears. Give the project a new name, and location if required, and click OK.

Supported model import formats

Select a model to import, and specify the units of measure and analysis technology for the import process. To access this dialog, click then (Open > Import ).

Supported model import formats | 5

ImportCreate New Project dialog

This dialog is used to create or open a project when you import a file with no project open. A project can be thought of as a container that holds all work related to a particular design. To access this dialog, close the current project, click , and then click (Open > Import). Create or open a project, and then continue to locate and open the file to be imported.

Import dialog
This dialog is used to select the parameters for the model import process, in particular the target mesh type and the module to perform the import (internal or Autodesk Moldflow Design Link). To access this dialog, click (Import) from the Quick Access toolbar, then locate and open the model file you want to import. NOTE: You still have the opportunity to change the mesh type at a later time by right-clicking on the mesh type and selecting the required entry in the Set Mesh Type menu.

Autodesk Moldflow Design Link

Autodesk Moldflow Design Link provides a geometry data translation interface to leading CAD systems. Autodesk Moldflow Design Link is an add-on program for Autodesk Moldflow Insight and Autodesk Moldflow Adviser, which provides a geometry data translation interface between the Autodesk Moldflow range of simulation products and leading CAD systems. Autodesk Moldflow Design Link uses standard file formats, such as IGES and STEP, and also enables the direct import of native Inventor, Parasolid, SolidWorks, Pro/ENGINEER, and CATIA V5 part files. After installing Autodesk Moldflow Design Link, and if you have the required licenses, a number of additional CAD file types will automatically become available on the CAD file import dialog in Autodesk Moldflow Insight or Autodesk Moldflow Adviser. NOTE:

The first character of the CAD file name must be a letter and not a number. The file name must consist of letters or numbers, and must not include dashes or any other characters.

6 | Supported model import formats

Autodesk Moldflow Design Link

You can import a number of different CAD file types if you have Autodesk Moldflow Design Link installed.

Importing or Processing a CAD model using Autodesk Moldflow Design Link

To begin the part design process, you can import or process existing CAD model files using Autodesk Moldflow Design Link. Before you import a model, first create a new project (or open an existing project) in which to store the model. 1 Click Home tab > Import panel > Import, or right-click in the Project Import.

View pane and select The Import dialog appears. 2 3 4

Navigate to the folder where your CAD model is located and select it. Click Open. If you selected a native CAD geometry, do one of the following: a Click Direct Import using Autodesk Moldflow Design Link to import the model in its native format b Click Process using Autodesk Moldflow Design Link to translate the model. NOTE: If you selected this last option, click Advanced, select the required alternate meshing parameters that Autodesk Moldflow Design Link offers and click OK.

5 6

Select the analysis technology to be used from the drop-down list. Click OK.

NOTE: The model appears inside the Project View pane.

Autodesk Moldflow Design Link

Modify the import settings used by by the Autodesk Moldflow Design Link translator.

Advanced Import Options dialog

This dialog is used to configure the model import settings used by the Autodesk Moldflow Design Link translator. To access this dialog, click (Import) from the Quick Access toolbar, then locate and open the model file you want to import. Select Process using Autodesk Moldflow Design Link then click Advanced.

Supported model import formats | 7

NOTE: If you do not have the latest version of Autodesk Moldflow Design Link installed, some features may not be available. NOTE: This dialog is only available for file formats and file extensions supported by the Autodesk Moldflow Design Link translator.

Chord angle
When importing a CAD model with Autodesk Moldflow Design Link, areas of high curvature can be selectively modeled using the Chord angle option. For tightly curved sections of the model that are not meshed adequately, you can increase the mesh density in these areas by defining a chord angle. The chord angle controls how closely the curve of the CAD model is approximated by straight sections in the mesh. The smaller the chord angle, the shorter the chord length, the finer the mesh. If the resulting chord length is greater than the general edge length, the general edge length will be used. The chord angle can be defined by either adjusting the slider bar or entering a value into the Tolerance text box.

Mesh on assembly contact faces

In an assembly, faces that come into contact with each other should have aligned nodes so that the results, such as heat transfer across the surface, are as accurate as possible. By default, a precision alignment of nodes is generated when an assembly is imported with Autodesk Moldflow Design Link. If there are errors in the imported CAD model, such as misalignment of the contact faces, faces intersecting with opposite surfaces, or boundaries not aligning, the alignment of nodes may not be possible and in some instances the meshing may fail. If this occurs, you can select Fault tolerant and reimport the model. With the Fault tolerant option, small variations in the CAD model are compensated for, and the mesh is aligned where possible. You should check your mesh to ensure a suitable result. If the CAD model is still not suitable

8 | Supported model import formats

for this option, the model should be reimported with the Ignore contact option selected. The Ignore contact option is used when the CAD model has errors that cannot be automaticallty resolved. In this case, a mesh will be generated for the component parts, regardless of any errors in the CAD model. The resultant mesh may have to be modified manually to improve the match on contact surfaces or remove surface intersections.

Supported IGES entities

This is a table summarizing the IGES entities supported by this product.
IGES Entity Name Circular Arc Composite Curve Conic Arc : Ellipse IGES Entity Number #100 #102 #104 Form Number 0 0 1 0 11 12 63 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Parasolid Entity Circle Curve List Ellipse Spline Curve Curve List Curve List Curve List Plane Line Point Spline Spun surface Swept surface Vector Transf Spcurve Spline Curve Surface

Conic Arc : General #104 Copious Data : 2D #106 Path Copious Data : 3D #106 Path Copious Data : Closed 2D Curve Plane Entity : Bounded Line Point Ruled Surface Surface of Revolution #106 #108 #110 #116 #118 #120

Tabulated Cylinder #122 Direction Transformation Rational B-Spline Curve Rational B-Spline Surface Offset Curve Offset Surface #123 #124 #126 #128 #130 #140

Supported model import formats | 9

IGES Entity Name Boundary Entity

IGES Entity Number #141

Form Number 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,7 0 1 1 1 1 1

Parasolid Entity Loop Loop Face Face Solid Plane Cylinder Cone Sphere Torus Solid -Solid Vertex Edge Loop Face Shell

Curve on #142 Parametric Surface Bounded Surface Trimmed Surface MSBO Plane Surface #143 #144 #186 #190

Right Circular #192 Cylindrical Surface Right Circular Conical Surface Spherical Surface Toroidal Surface Subfigure Definition Entity Associative Instance Entity #194 #196 #198 #308 #402

Subfigure Instance #408 Entity Vertex List Edge List Loop Face Shell #502 #504 #508 #510 #514

Supported STEP entities

This table lists the STEP entities that are supported by Autodesk Moldflow Insight
STEP entity classes Topology MANIFOLD_SOLID_BREP CLOSED_SHELL ADVANCED_FACE EDGE_LOOP PK_BODY_t PK_SHELL_t PK_FACE_t PK_LOOP_t --------Parasolid entity

10 | Supported model import formats

STEP entity classes Topology ORIENTED_EDGE EDGE_CURVE VERTEX Geometry CARTESIAN_POINT LINE CIRCLE ELLIPSE PARABOLA HYPERBOLA PLANE CYLINDRICAL_SURFACE CONICAL_SURFACE SPHERICAL_SURFACE TOROIDAL_SURFACE Spline Curves UNIFORM_CURVE QUASI_UNIFORM_CURVE BEZIER_CURVE B_SPLINE_CURVE_WITH_KNOTS NURBS TRIMMED_CURVE

Parasolid entity

PK_FIN_t PK_EDGE_t PK_VERTEX_t

-------

PK_POINT_sf_t PK_LINE_sf_t PK_CIRCLE_sf_t PK_ELLIPSE_sf_t PK_BCURVE_sf_t PK_BCURVE_sf_t PK_PLANE_sf_t PK_CYL_sf_t PK_CONE_sf_t PK_SPHERE_sf_t PK_TORUS_sf_t

--------With vertex_dim=4 in Parasolid With vertex_dim=4 in Parasolid -----------

PK_BCURVE_sf_t PK_BCURVE_sf_t PK_BCURVE_sf_t PK_BCURVE_sf_t PK_BCURVE_sf_t CURVE_t

With vertex_dim = 3 in Parasolid -do-do-doWith vertex_dim = 4 in Parasolid Base curve is mapped which gets trimmed by the boundary vertices in Parasolid

SURFACE_CURVE INTERSECTION_CURVE

CURVE_t or PK_SPCURVE_t CURVE_t Only the curve is mapped to

Supported model import formats | 11

Spline Curves corresponding curve in Parasolid PCURVE Spline surfaces B_SPLINE_SURFACE_WITH_KNOTS UNIFORM_SURFACE QUASI_UNIFORM_SURFACE BEZIER_SURFACE NURBS PK_BSURF_sf_t PK_BSURF_sf_t PK_BSURF_sf_t PK_BSURF_sf_t PK_BSURF_sf_t With vertex_dim = 3 in Parasolid -do-do-doWith vertex_dim = 4 in Parasolid PK_SPCURVE_t ---

Others SURFACE_OF_LINEAR_EXTRUSION SURFACE_OF_REVOLUTION CURVE_BOUNDED_SURFACE RECTANGULAR_TRIMMED_SURFACE SHELL_BASED_SURFACE_MODEL FACETED_BREP OFFSET_SURFACE BLEND SPUN_SURFACE PK_SWEPT_sf_t PK_SPUN_sf_t PK_BODY_t PK_BODY_t PK_BODY_t PK_BODY_t PK_OFFSET_sf_t PK_BSURF_sf_t PK_SPUN_sf_t -----

Using models imported from Autodesk Simulation products

Autodesk Simulation products are used to perform a structural analysis on a part. Incorporating the material properties and flow-induced characteristics of a plastic part enhances the structural analysis results. When a part is exported from Autodesk Simulation to Autodesk Moldflow Insight, the polymer defined while the model is being prepared in the Autodesk Simulation product is imported and by default is selected for the Autodesk Moldflow Insight analysis. As with all models imported into Autodesk Moldflow Insight, the Autodesk Simulation model still needs to be prepared for an analysis. At minimum,

12 | Supported model import formats

you must set the mesh type and generate the mesh, and you must set at least one injection location on the model. NOTE: This feature is available for Thermoplastics Injection Molding analyses of Dual Domain and 3D models. NOTE: In order for Autodesk Moldflow Insight results to transfer successfully for the structural analysis, you cannot change the orientation of the imported model with respect to the global coordinate system or modify the geometry. You should not change the name of the study that was created on import.

Using models imported from Autodesk Simulation products

Models imported from Autodesk Simulation structural analysis products need to be prepared for an analysis.

Using Autodesk Simulation products with Autodesk Moldflow Insight

Models imported from Autodesk Simulation products only have a surface geometry representation and so need to be meshed. NOTE: This feature is available for Thermoplastics Injection Molding analyses of Dual Domain and 3D models.

1 2

Click Mesh tab > Mesh panel and select

Dual Domain or

3D.

Click Mesh tab > Mesh panel > Generate Mesh to mesh the model for Autodesk Moldflow analysis. If necessary, you can change global or local mesh density and remesh the model. Click Home tab > Molding Process Setup panel > Injection Location and define one or more injection locations. NOTE: For analyses of parts where structural performance criteria are critical, it is important that the injection location used in the analysis should match the injection location used in production.

4 5

Click Home tab > Molding Process Setup panel > Analysis Sequence and select an analysis sequence that includes Fill + Pack. Click Home tab > Analysis panel > Start Analysis to launch the analysis.

When the analysis is complete, the resulting process-induced mechanical properties automatically are made available to Autodesk Simulation for use in the structural analysis. NOTE: In order for Autodesk Moldflow Insight results to transfer successfully for the structural analysis, you cannot change the orientation of the

Supported model import formats | 13

imported model with respect to the global coordinate system or modify the geometry. You should not change the name of the study that was created on import.

Importing IGES model files

This is a table summarizing the IGES entities supported by this product. IGES files have the extension *.igs or *.iges. This table lists the IGES entities supported by the file import feature in Autodesk Moldflow Insight. The supported IGES versions are 5.3 or earlier. After importing an (*.igs) file, and before running a Fill+Pack analysis, pay close attention to the edge length of the mesh around high curvature areas on your model, and make sure they are not too coarse. It is recommended you mesh with a smaller edge length allowing the mesh to approximate the corners correctly. NOTE: Autodesk also supplies Autodesk Moldflow Design Link which has extended IGES import capabilities and the ability to import native file formats. Supported IGES entities The following table lists the IGES entities that are recognized and translated when reading in an IGES file. If the IGES file contains entities that are not listed here, they will be ignored in the translation process.
IGES entity name IGES entity number Circular Arc Composite Curve Conic Arc: Ellipse Conic Arc: General Copious Data: 2D Path Copious Data: 3D Path Copious Data: Closed 2D Curve Plane: Bounded Line 100 102 104 104 106 106 106 108 110 Form number 0 0 1 0 11 12 63 1 0 Parasolid entity Circle Curve List Ellipse Spline Curve Curve List Curve List Curve List Plane Line

14 | Supported model import formats

IGES entity name IGES entity number Parametric Spline Curve Parametric Spline Surface Ruled Surface Surface of Revolution Tabulated Cylinder Direction Transformation Matrix Rational B-Spline Curve Rational B-Spline Surface Offset Curve Offset Surface Boundary Entity Curve on a Parametric Surface Bounded Surface Trimmed Surface MSBO* Plane Surface* Right Circular Cylindrical Surface* Right Circular Conical Surface* Spherical Surface* Toroidal Surface* Subfigure Definition Entity 112 114 118 120 122 123 124 126 128 130 140 141 142

Form number 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Parasolid entity

Spline Spun Surface Swept Surface Vector Transf Spcurve Spline Curve Surface Loop Loop

143 144 186 190 192

0 0 0 0 0

Face Face Solid Plane Cylinder

194 196 198 308

0 0 0 0

Cone Sphere Torus Solid

Supported model import formats | 15

IGES entity name IGES entity number Associative Instance Entity Singular Instance Entity Vertex List* Edge List* Loop* Face* Shell* 402 408 502 504 508 510 514

Form number 1,7 0 1 1 1 1 1

Parasolid entity -Solid Vertex Edge Loop Face Shell

* Requires Autodesk Moldflow Design Link to be installed.

Importing IGES model files

To obtain an accurate analysis, it is important that the IGES model is imported correctly.

Guidelines for preparing IGES files for import

To successfully translate an IGES model into an Autodesk model suitable for analysis, the model must have been correctly prepared in the CAD system.

The entire model must be described by IGES surfaces, not just lines and curves. Lines and curves can be used to import the cooling channels of a mold, and can be used as the basis for cooling channels construction. You may be able to export the center line geometry of the cooling lines from the CAD package. If possible, simplify the model to remove unnecessary detail, such as reference planes and very small features that have no effect on a Fill+Pack or a Stress analysis. Before exporting a model to be used by Dual Domain analysis technology, check in the CAD system that the part is fully closed, i.e. no gaps between surfaces. Export as surfaces, not shells.

Flow leader and deflector surfaces Flow balance, where the extremities of the product fill at the same time, is achieved by changing the thickness of flow leader or deflector surfaces. The location and shape of such surfaces can be estimated and introduced before running a Fill+Pack analysis.

16 | Supported model import formats

Importing STL model files

This topic lists the requirements for importing stereolithography (*.stl) files. 1 The STL file should be complete and incorrupt. An ASCII .stl file must start with the lower case keyword solid and end with endsolid. For example:

solid ... facet normal 0.00 0.00 1.00 outer loop vertex 2.00 2.00 0.00 vertex -1.00 1.00 0.00 vertex 0.00 -1.00 0.00 endloop endfacet ... endsolid 2 The STL file can be in either ASCII or binary format. It is important to use the correct format with FTP. For example, if you have a binary STL file, you must set the FTP file type to binary before transferring. Only one solid should be present. The triangles should be defined clockwise, with the normal indicating the "out" direction:

3 4

5 6

The orientation of the triangle normals should be aligned. The triangles should share common corner node positions (the vertex to vertex rule). There should be no gaps or free edges in the mesh of triangles.

Supported model import formats | 17

There should be no intersections between the triangles' surfaces and, naturally, edges should overlap).

There should be no triangle overlaps.

As a guide (not a requirement), there should be no more than 20,000 facets in one model. If you can, use the STL settings in your CAD system to base the resolution of the tessellations on the chord height calculation below. You can thus reduce the number of triangles.

C=M1000Q where:

C = chord height p = part surface t = tessellated surface M = model size (the distance between opposite diagonals of the bounding box of the part) Q = quantity of elements (recommended 0.3, limits 0.1 to 1.0) NOTE: Q is determined by the user and describes the size of the facets, especially in areas of high curvature. A higher Q value will result in a larger number of smaller facets. A large number of facets may take longer to analyze.

18 | Supported model import formats

10 If your STL model has triangles with very high aspect ratio, the mesh will be distorted, and the analysis results will be less accurate. For a mesh triangle, the aspect ratio is the ratio of the length of the longest side (a) to the height perpendicular to that side (b). As a general rule, this ratio should be less than 6:1.

The program can accept some triangles with very high aspect ratios (hundreds or even thousands). However, try to keep the average aspect ratio below 6.

Importing STL model files

How to import STL file types.

Importing an STL Midplane

An STL Midplane mesh is not a standard format. However, if you need to import a Midplane mesh that is stored in STL format, follow these steps: 1 2 Import the STL. In the Import dialog, set the model type to Dual Domain, not Midplane, and then click OK. Click Mesh tab > Mesh panel > Generate Mesh and create a mesh on your model. This process will remesh the STL surface into a Midplane mesh (but the type will still be set to Dual Domain). When the Mesh complete! dialog appears, click OK. In the Study Tasks pane, right-click the mesh type to Midplane. Dual Domain Mesh to change

3 4 5

Assign properties (such as part surface) to the newly-created mesh.

Importing an ASCII model file

You can import existing ASCII model files. When you import the model file, you will be prompted to select the mesh type that you want to work with. 1 2 Open an existing project or create a new project. Click Home tab > Import panel > Import, or right-click in the Project Import.

View pane and select 3 4

In the Files of type drop-down list, select ASCII/Binary Model (*.udm). Navigate to the folder where your model is located, select the file, and then click Open.

Supported model import formats | 19

5 6

Select the appropriate mesh type from the Import dialog that appears. Click OK.

Importing ANSYS model files

ANSYS model files have the extension *.ans. This help topic lists the entity and element types supported by Autodesk Moldflow Insight. Supported entities The supported entities are:
Entity Type NBLOCK EBLOCK EN,R5.0 EN,R5.1 EN,R5.5 EN,4.4 E, EN, R,R5 R, Description block formatted nodes block formatted elements element card element card element card element card element card element card real constant tables real constant table

The supported element types are:

2 noded beam. 3 node triangle. 4 node tetra. 4 node quads converted to two 3 node tris.

Importing IDEAS universal model files

This help topic provides a detailed list of the SDRC/I-DEAS entities that are supported by Autodesk Moldflow Insight. SDRC/I-DEAS universal files have the extension *.unv and can be used in a 3D analysis. Supported Universal Datasets The table below lists the universal datasets that are recognized and translated when reading in a *.unv file. If the file contains datasets not listed here, they will be ignored in the translation process.

20 | Supported model import formats

Dataset 151 164 776 2411 2412 2429 2437 2448

Description Header Units Beam Cross Sections (circular only) Nodes Elements Permanent Groups Physical Properties Physical Properties

NOTE: For further details about the boundary condition related datasets supported by the I-DEAS / Autodesk integration, please refer to your I-DEAS documentation. Obsoleted Datasets The following tables lists those datasets supported in previous releases that are now no longer supported.
Obsolete Dataset 15 772 780 781 789 Boundary condition datasets... (1) 792 833 835 836 840 843 1714 1750 Temperature Sets Mold Filling Mold Cooling Shell Thickness Data Thermoplastic Data Gate Node, runnerless model Materials Database Material Materials Database Material Description Nodes Physical Props Elements Nodes Physical Props

Supported model import formats | 21

Importing NASTRAN bulk data model files

NASTRAN Bulk Data files have the extension (*.bdf). This help topic lists the NASTRAN element types that are supported by Autodesk Moldflow Insight. NASTRAN Element Types The following NASTRAN element types can be read (others will be ignored):
Element type GRID CTRIA CTRIA3 CQUAD CQUAD4 CQUAD8 CQUADR CQUADX CTETRA CBAR (Beam elements) PSHELL

Restrictions Only models described in absolute coordinates can be read in.

Importing PATRAN neutral model files

PATRAN Neutral files supported by Autodesk Moldflow Insight have the extension *.pat, or *.out. This help topic lists the supported PATRAN element types and how to pass thickness values to Autodesk Moldflow Insight. Supported PATRAN Element Types The following PATRAN entities or element types can be read:
Solid TET (4 noded) QUAD (4 noded) Shell TRI (3 noded) 2D BAR

22 | Supported model import formats

Defining Element Property Data The element attributes required by Autodesk Moldflow Insight can be passed in the second record of the Element Property Packet (04). These element properties can be set with the PFEG command in PATRAN. The following table summarizes the property data that the interface expects in each field.
Field 1 2 3 Property Data not used thickness not used

NOTE: Element property data written by CAD systems will vary between systems. Contact your CAD supplier if you are not sure what fields contain what element property data (attributes). Restrictions Only models described in absolute coordinates can be read into Autodesk Moldflow Insight. NOTE: The Analysis Preference export option in Patran affects the output neutral file (*.out). Sometimes, if you use the MARC preference and import the neutral file, there will be no thicknesses assigned. Using the Abaqus preference to define the shell thickness results in correct importation of thickness.

Importing a C-MOLD *.fem file

Import C-MOLD *.fem files (pre-dating C-MOLD 2000) to use them in an analysis.

Importing a C-MOLD *.fem file

If you have a C-MOLD *.fem file (pre-dating C-MOLD 2000) and want to use it in an analysis, follow the steps below to import and convert the file so it is suitable.

Importing a C-MOLD *.fem file for Microchip Encapsulation

If you have a C-MOLD *.fem file (pre-dating C-MOLD 2000) and want to use it for a Microchip Encapsulation analysis, follow the steps below to import and convert the file so it is suitable for analysis. NOTE: Not supported for 3D models.

Supported model import formats | 23

Click (Import) from the Quick Access toolbar, and import a CAD model. Alternatively, click *.fem mesh file. then Open > Import to import the C-MOLD

Identify the wire elements: a In the Layers pane, click Wire. New Layer and name the new layer

b Click Select. c On the model, select the wire elements. d In the Layers pane, click Assign Layer. The wire elements will be assigned to the Wire layer. e Ensure the wire elements are still selected. f Click Mesh tab > Properties panel > Change. Alternatively, right-click and selectChange Property Type g In the Change Property Type To dialog, select Wire. 3 Identify the leadframe elements: a In the Layers pane, click Leadframe. New Layer and name the new layer

b Click Select. c On the model, select the leadframe elements. d In the Layers pane, click Assign Layer. The leadframe elements will be assigned to the Leadframe layer. e Ensure the leadframe elements are still selected. f Click Mesh tab > Properties panel > Change. Alternatively, right-click and selectChange Property Type g In the Change Property Type To dialog, select Leadframe. 4 Click then Save > Save Study to save the changes.

Importing a C-MOLD *.fem file

If you have a C-MOLD *.fem file (pre-dating C-MOLD 2000) and want to use it for an Underfill Encapsulation analysis, follow the steps below to import and convert the file so it is suitable for analysis. NOTE: Not supported for 3D models. 1 Click (Import) from the Quick Access toolbar to import the C-MOLD *.fem mesh file.

24 | Supported model import formats

Identify the wire elements: a In the Layers pane, click Wire. New Layer and name the new layer

b Click Select. c On the model, select the wire elements. d In the Layers pane, click Assign Layer. The wire elements will be assigned to the Wire layer. e Ensure the wire elements are still selected. f Click Mesh tab > Properties panel > Change. Alternatively, right-click and selectChange Property Type g In the Change Property Type To dialog, select Wire. 3 Identify the leadframe elements: a In the Layers pane, click Leadframe. New Layer and name the new layer

b Click Select. c On the model, select the leadframe elements. d In the Layers pane, click Assign Layer. The leadframe elements will be assigned to the Leadframe layer. e Ensure the leadframe elements are still selected. f Click Mesh tab > Properties panel > Change. Alternatively, right-click and selectChange Property Type g In the Change Property Type To dialog, select Leadframe. 4 Click then Save > Save Study to save the changes.

Correcting baffles imported from C-MOLD 2000

In Autodesk Moldflow Insight, baffles must be modeled as two beam elements, one to describe the flow of coolant up the baffle, and the other to describe the flow down the baffle. Baffles imported from C-Mold 2000 consist of only one beam element and will not be treated correctly by the Cool solver in Autodesk Moldflow Insight. To correct this problem, please follow the steps below. NOTE: You may also delete the baffle imported from C-Mold and build a new baffle according to the instructions provided in the online help for modeling a baffle.

Supported model import formats | 25

In Autodesk Moldflow Insight, a baffle is modeled using two semi-circular elements with Heat Transfer Effectiveness=0.5. Yellow is the default color assigned to a baffle. 1 In the Layers pane, turn off all layers other than the one to which the baffle was assigned when it was imported. Select the baffle and then click Geometry tab > Properties panel > Edit. Ensure that the baffle has been assigned the property Baffle and that it has a Heat Transfer Effectiveness=0.5. Click Geometry tab > Utilities panel > Move > Translate.

3 4 5

In the model pane, click on the element representing the baffle. Select Copy, specify the vector 0 , 0 , 0 and click Apply. This will create a copy of the element, superimposed on top of the existing one. Click Mesh tab > Mesh panel > Density. Set the mesh density to 2.5 times the diameter of your baffle. Click Apply and OK. Click Mesh tab > Mesh panel > Generate Mesh, deselect the check boxes and then click Mesh Now.

NOTE: You should leave a gap of at least half the diameter of the baffle between the top of the baffle and your part. This is to allow clearance for the dome, which forms the top of the baffle.

Correcting bubblers imported from C-MOLD 2000

In Autodesk Moldflow Insight, bubblers must be modeled as two beam elements, one to describe the flow of coolant into the bubbler, and the other to describe the flow out of the bubbler. Bubblers imported from C-Mold 2000 consist of only one beam element and will not be treated correctly by the cooling solver in Autodesk Moldflow Insight. To correct this problem, please follow the steps below. NOTE: You may also delete the bubbler imported from C-Mold and build a new bubbler according to the instructions provided in the online help for modeling a bubbler. In Autodesk Moldflow Insight, a bubbler is modeled using an inner channel element with HTE=0, and an outer bubbler element with HTE=1. Orange is the default color assigned to a bubbler. 1 In the Layers pane, turn off all layers other than the one to which the bubbler was assigned when it was imported.

26 | Supported model import formats

2 3 4

Click on the bubbler to select it and then click Geometry tab > Properties panel > Assign to display the Assign Property dialog. Click New and select Channel from the drop-down list. In the Channel dialog, specify the inner diameter of the bubbler, assign a heat transfer effectiveness value of 0, and then click OK twice to apply the new properties. Click Geometry tab > Utilities panel > Move > Translate.

5 6 7

In the model pane, click on the element representing the inner channel of the bubbler. Select Copy and specify a vector that will move the new element away from the part. Click Apply. This will create a copy of the element, which you can easily select and change its properties. Click on the new element to select it and then click > Properties panel > Assign. Geometry tab

8 9

Click New and select Bubbler from the drop-down list.

10 In the Bubbler dialog, specify the inner and outer diameters of the bubbler, assign a heat transfer effectiveness value of 1, and then click OK twice to apply the new properties. The inner diameter of the bubbler must be equal to or greater than that of the inner channel. 11 Click Geometry tab > Utilities panel > Move > Translate.

12 In the graphics pane, click on the new bubbler you have made. 13 In the Move/CopyTranslate dialog, reverse the sign of each of the vector components you specified earlier and click Apply. This will move the element so that the bubbler is superimposed on the channel element. 14 Click Mesh tab > Mesh panel > Density. Set the mesh density to 2.5 times the diameter of your bubbler. Click Apply and OK. 15 Click Mesh tab > Mesh panel > Generate Mesh, deselect the check boxes, and click Mesh Now. NOTE: You should leave a gap of at least half the diameter of the bubbler between the top of the bubbler and your part. This is to allow clearance for the dome, which forms the top of the bubbler.

Supported model import formats | 27

Exporting models and files

2
Available for... Midplane Dual Domain 3D

You can export data in different formats and import the files into other software. The supported export formats and their functions are summarized in the following table.
Output format (extension) Autodesk Moldflow Results file (*.mfr) Entities exported Selected study results
4

Purpose for export Share results using Autodesk Moldflow Communicator

Zip Archive (*.zip)

Entire project or selected studies

Archive studies, or zip project for colleagues Midplane or Technical Support Dual Domain 3D Provide mesh and result data directly in Midplane the format supported Dual Domain by Altair 3D Engineering's HyperView 9.0 visualization 5 products Export part surface and result data to Autodesk Showcase software for photo-realistic visualization Dual Domain 3D

Altair Hyper3D (*.h3d)

Meshed model and study results

ASCII FBX File (*.fbx) Selected model entities and study results

ASCII Model File (*.udm)

Entire study contents Export the study to an ASCII format file for Midplane Dual Domain

4 5

Before an Autodesk Moldflow Results file (*.mfr) can be generated, the selected results must be marked for export in the project. HyperView 9.0 displays mesh and result data associated with mesh nodes or elements. HyperView Player 9.0 displays mesh only. Earlier versions of HyperView and HyperView Player cannot display exported *.h3d files.

28 | Exporting models and files

Output format (extension)

Entities exported

Purpose for export support diagnosis or for data transfer

Available for... 3D

Patran File (*.pat)

Nodes, triangles, beams, tetrahedra

Import the model into a 3rd party CAE system

Midplane Dual Domain 3D

M3I File (*.m3i)

3D study files

MPI 2.0 format for storing 3D mesh

3D

MFL File (*.mfl)

Nodes, triangles, beams, basic properties

Obsolete formatprovided for Midplane Dual Domain compatibility with MPI 2.0 3D Import the model in a 3rd party CAD system for editing purposes

ASCII IGES File (*.igs) NURBS surfaces, permitted NURBS curves

Midplane Dual Domain 3D

Surface mesh for AMA Triangles (*.amm)

Prepare a surface mesh to be imported Dual Domain into Autodesk Moldflow Adviser
7

SAT v7 (*.sat)

CAD model

Export a CAD model to a SAT v7 format file Dual Domain 3D to allow geometry modification using Autodesk Inventor Fusion

Table 1: Permitted NURBS curves

IGES entity no. 102 126 128
6

Description Composite Curve Rational B-Spline Curve Rational B-Spline Surface

A Surface mesh for AMA (*.amm) file only includes the portion of the Dual Domain model that is meshed with triangles; typically this is the part only. Other model entities, such as beams, and boundary conditions, such as injection locations, are not included in this export file format. The study must contain at least one imported CAD model in a supported native geometry format in order to export the geometry to the SAT v7 format.

Exporting models and files | 29

IGES entity no. 142 144

Description Curve on a Parametric Surface Trimmed Surface

Exporting models and files

You can export data in different formats and import the files to other software.

Exporting files
1 2 Select the appropriate study (*.sdy) file(s), if the whole project is not to be exported. Click Results tab > Export and Publish panel > Moldflow Results. Export > Study & Results .

Alternatively, click then The Export dialog opens. 3 4 5 6 7

Navigate to the location where you want the export file to be saved. Select the export format in the Save as type drop-down according to the table above. In the File name text box, specify a name for the export file. Click Save. If you have selected to export to a Zip Archive, select the desired options in the Export Project to ZIP Archive dialog and click OK. The archiving will take a moment to process.

Exporting the project to a ZIP file

NOTE: Active analyses are displayed in the Job Manager as [Running][x%]. It is important these analyses are complete before proceeding. 1 Enter a File name for the Zip file, change the Save as type to Zip Archive (*.zip). You may also want to take note of the location where the Zip archive is saved for later retrieval. Click Save. The Export Project to Zip dialog opens. Select the most relevant options for your output, and then click OK. A confirmation dialog appears and informs you the archive was successful. Click OK.

2 3

30 | Exporting models and files

Exporting an ASCII model file

You can export model files as ASCII format with the extension (*.udm). When exporting a model as an ASCII file, keywords, materials, and unused property sets will not be exported. Everything else will be exported to the specified file. Choose to export a *.udm file to make data available for Moldflow Manufacturing Solutions products. 1 Click Results tab > Export and Publish panel > Moldflow Results. Export > Study & Results .

Alternatively, click then The Export dialog opens. 2 3 4 5

Navigate to the location where you want to store the model. In the Save as type drop-down list, select ASCII Model File (*.udm). In the File name box, enter a name of the model, and then click Save. Click OK.

Exporting results to an Autodesk Moldflow Results file

You can create a results file to view in Autodesk Moldflow Communicator when you export the results in Autodesk Moldflow Results file (*.mfr) format. An Autodesk Moldflow Criteria file (*.criteria) may be included in a results file. You can use this to limit the information displayed when comparing results to criteria in Autodesk Moldflow Communicator. Analysis logs are marked for export by default. If you do not want to include analysis logs in the Autodesk Moldflow Results file, right-click on Logs in the Study Tasks pane, and then select Unmark for export. 1 Right-click a result name in the list of results and select Mark for export. An asterisk appears after the result name. It has now been marked for export. Repeat to mark additional results for export in the same way. TIP: You can export the same results from 2 studies by marking the results in each of the studies, and then using the Control or Shift key to select both studies. Continue with the steps below to create the Autodesk Moldflow Communicator results file with results from both studies. 3 4 5 Click Results tab > Export and Publish panel > Moldflow Results.

Navigate to the location in which you want to save the results file. In the File name text box, enter a name for the results file.

Exporting models and files | 31

Select Autodesk Moldflow Results file (*.mfr) in the Save as type drop-down list, and then click Save. A confirmation dialog appears to inform you the results were exported successfully. Select the Include criteria file check box to include a criteria file. Select the Browse button to choose your criteria file, and then click Save. Criteria should be specifically entered for the study and results that you are exporting. The file you selected is displayed in the check box. If you want to restrict the display of information in Autodesk Moldflow Communicator when comparing studies to criteria, select the Restrict MFR contents based on criteria check box. When a study is compared to a restrictive criteria file in Autodesk Moldflow Communicator, only the information that is specified in the criteria file is displayed. Click OK to export the Autodesk Moldflow Results file. A confirmation dialog appears to inform you the results were exported successfully.

NOTE: You can deselect all results that have been marked for export by right-clicking on any result, and then selecting Unmark All for Export.

Exporting a surface mesh for use with Autodesk Moldflow Adviser

You can export a Surface mesh for AMA (*.amm) file to prepare a Dual Domain model for import into Autodesk Moldflow Adviser software. The current study must include a Dual Domain meshed model for the Surface mesh for AMA (*.amm) export format option to be available. This format allows you to export a known surface mesh from Autodesk Moldflow Insight for import into Autodesk Moldflow Adviser. 1 2 3 4 5 Click then Export > Model .

Navigate to the location where you want to store the exported file. In the Save as type drop-down list, select Surface mesh for AMA (*.amm). In the File name box, enter a name for the exported file, and then click Save. Click OK.

The new *.amm file is available for import into Autodesk Moldflow Adviser and subsequent analysis without any changes to the mesh. NOTE: A Surface mesh for AMA (*.amm) file only includes the portion of the Dual Domain model that is meshed with triangles; typically this is the

32 | Exporting models and files

part only. Other model entities, such as beams, and boundary conditions, such as injection locations, are not included in this export file format.

Exporting CAD geometry to a SAT v7 file for use with Autodesk Inventor Fusion
To export CAD solid geometry to a SAT v7 (*.sat) file for use with Autodesk Inventor Fusion, the study must contain one or more imported CAD models in a supported native geometry format. CAD geometry formats that can be exported to a SAT v7 file include:

Autodesk Inventor 2012, IPT Autodesk Inventor 2012, IAM SAT v4v7 CATIA V5R20 Parasolid V22 Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 5.0 SolidWorks 2011 Open a study that contains at least one imported CAD model. Click (Application menu > Export > Model). Navigate to the location where you want the export file to be saved. From the Save as type drop-down list, select SAT (*.sat) file format. In the File name text box, specify a name for the export file. Click Save. If more than one CAD model exists in the study, a numerical suffix will be added to the specified file name, and each CAD model will be saved to a separate file. NOTE: Assemblies contain more than one CAD body but are treated as a single model. If you select a CAD body that is a component of an assembly, the entire assembly will be exported to a single SAT file. A message is displayed to indicate that the exported file has been saved successfully. NOTE: If no supported CAD model is found in the study, an error message is displayed.

1 2 3 4 5 6

You can open the exported file in Autodesk Inventor Fusion to modify the geometry.

Exporting models and files

Selected items or the entire project can be exported to various file formats.

Exporting models and files | 33

To access this dialog, click export format.

, then click

Export and select the desired

MFR Export Settings dialog

This dialog is used to include an optional Autodesk Moldflow Criteria file (*.criteria) when exporting an Autodesk Moldflow Results file (*.mfr). To access this dialog, click ( > Export > Study and Results), enter a name for your results file, then click Save. Criteria files can be used to limit the information displayed in Autodesk Moldflow Communicator when you compare a study to criteria, using the criteria file included in the results file. NOTE: You can also open this dialog by clicking the Set MFR Options... button from the External applications tab of the Options dialog ( > Options > External applications tab > Set MFR Options...). This can be used to set a criteria file to be included by default whenever you export a results file.

STL Export Units dialog

This dialog is used to specify the units of the STL file to which you are exporting the Dual Domain mesh. To access this dialog, ensure that the current study has been meshed with triangular elements, click , and then click (Export > Model), select ASCII STL File in the Save as type drop-down, navigate to the folder where you want to create the STL file, specify the name of the file to be created and click Save.

Export Project to ZIP Archive dialog

Export all or selected project components to a ZIP format archive file. This feature is useful for archiving projects or for packaging a project into a single file, for example to send to a colleague or Technical Support. NOTE: Sharing information with colleagues can also be achieved using Autodesk Moldflow Communicator a free results viewer available from the Autodesk website (www.autodesk.com). To access this dialog, click Export dialog. , then click Export and complete the

TIP: Compact your projects first to remove restart files and produce a smaller archive.

34 | Exporting models and files

Autodesk Moldflow Insight to Abaqus interface (Midplane)

Fill+Pack and Fiber results for Midplane models can be exported to a partial Abaqus input file for further structural (usually Stress) analysis. The finite element model and result data provided by the Autodesk Moldflow Insight analysis allows Abaqus/Standard to perform shrinkage and warpage analyses based on residual stresses from the molding analysis, including filling and packing and/or fiber orientation. In addition, Abaqus/Standard can perform structural analyses on components with or without residual stress. Interfacing to Abaqus The Abaqus options dialog in the solver parameters provides three export options:

For original Autodesk Moldflow Insight / Abaqus 6.2 license holders, a single *.mab file in ASCII format is created. For original C-MOLD / Abaqus 6.2 license holders, two ASCII files are generated: a *.fem finite element model file, and an *.osp file containing residual stress and/or material property information. For Autodesk Moldflow Insight / Abaqus 6.3 users, an *.osp file containing residual stress and/or material property information is generated. You must export the mesh model in *.pat file form (Click File > Export and select Patran File (*.pat) in the Save as Type list).

NOTE: If the *.osp file generated by Autodesk Moldflow Insight contains the ~ character; rename the file to remove that character otherwise, Abaqus will not be able to import the file. The Abaqus Interface for Autodesk Moldflow reads the interface file and creates the following files: Abaqus input (.inp) file Contains model data such as nodal coordinates, element topology, and section definitions. If you are working with isotropic materials, the input file also contains material property data. Contains lamina material data for each layer of each element. (This file is created only when working with layered, spatially varying materials.) Contains initial stress data. (When executing Abaqus/ Autodesk Moldflow, the user can request that this file be omitted and initial stress data ignored.) If applicable, the neutral file and the initial stress file are read into Abaqus/Standard during the initial step.

Neutral (.shf) file Initial stress (.str) file

Exporting models and files | 35

Assumptions When working with layered, spatially varying materials, the Abaqus Interface for Autodesk Moldflow assumes the following:

Laminated composite shell elements. Lamina material properties are given in the principal material direction of each layer. 20 laminates will be output. NOTE: Fill+Pack outputs 12 laminates by default and will therefore be interpolated to 20 laminates for Abaqus.

When working with isotropic materials, the Abaqus Interface for Autodesk Moldflow assumes the following:

Homogeneous shell elements. In the .mab file, thermo-mechanical properties of the first element are used for all elements of the model. In the .osp file, a single set of thermo-mechanical properties is provided.

Autodesk Moldflow Insight to Abaqus interface (Midplane)

Fill+Pack and Fiber results for Midplane models can be exported to a partial Abaqus input file for further structural (usually Stress) analysis.

Exporting Midplane data to Abaqus from the user interface

NOTE: This feature is only available for Midplane models on PC. 1 2 Ensure that you are using a Midplane model. Ensure that you have selected an analysis sequence that includes Fill+Pack. Click Home tab > Molding Process Setup panel > Process Settings.

3 4 5 6

If necessary, click Next one or more times to navigate to the Fill+Pack Settings page. Click Advanced Options. The Fill+Pack Analysis Advanced Options dialog appears. Click Edit next to the Solver Parameters field. The Thermoplastics injection molding solver parameters (Midplane) dialog appears. Select the Interface tab and click Abaqus options. The Abaqus Options dialog appears. Select the appropriate interface combination from the drop-down list. Click OK.

7 8 9

36 | Exporting models and files

Autodesk Moldflow Insight to Abaqus interface (3D)

Fill+Pack (with or without Fiber) and Warp results for 3D models can be exported to Abaqus for further structural (usually Stress) analysis. NOTE: This feature is only available for 3D models on PC. An API script (PC only) which automatically converts the necessary result and mesh files into a format that Abaqus can use is available. The Autodesk Moldflow Insight results are exported in *.xml format and the 3D mesh is exported in Abaqus input (*.inp) format. The API script saves the interface files in a folder created in the current project folder. For example, in Windows XP, My Documents\My AMI xxxx Projects\Project1\<study_name>_interface_files , or in Windows Vista, Documents\My AMI xxxx Projects\Project1\<study_name>_interface_files ,where xxxx is the version number of the Autodesk Moldflow Insight software you are using and <study_name> is the name of the study you are exporting to Abaqus). Interfacing to Abaqus Autodesk Moldflow Insight result and mesh files are binary files. In order to be used in Abaqus, these files need to be converted to ASCII format. Autodesk Moldflow Insight uses an API script, mpi2abq.vbs, to convert these files automatically. Interface files There are several types of file that Autodesk Moldflow Insight can export for use in Abaqus. The actual files exported depends on what your Autodesk Moldflow Insight study file contains. Mesh file The API script converts the 3D mesh to the Abaqus input format. This interface file is named <study_name>_mesh.inp. For more information about the Abaqus *.inp format, please refer to your Abaqus manual. NOTE: Change from Patran to Abaqus input file for the mesh model: Before the release of MPI 6.0, the Patran (*.pat) file format was used to convert Autodesk Moldflow Insight mesh models for input to Abaqus. Some inconsistencies were found between the mesh model in *.pat format and the result data (*.xml) files produced by the original 3D Abaqus Interface. For example:

Exporting models and files | 37

If there was a short shot predicted, results would not exist on the unfilled elements of the mesh model. Abaqus requires consistency between the mesh model and the corresponding *.xml files. If the mesh model contained mold exterior surface mesh, cooling channels, and/or a runner system, Fill+Pack analysis results would correspond only to elements on the part cavity. Abaqus would fail this model because of the inconsistency between the mesh model and result files.

Further, to interface 3D Overmolding, Microchip Encapsulation, or to interface 3D Warp results using mesh aggregation to Abaqus, the *.pat file format is of limited utility. Beginning in MPI 6.0, the 3D Abaqus Interface converts the 3D mesh to the Abaqus input format. In this way, Autodesk Moldflow Insight can output the three point constraint for removal of the rigid body movement, build contact surface conditions between multiple components, and pass pressure and temperature conditions directly into the Abaqus input file. Material For fiber-filled materials, these files are produced: properties data files Principal The principal fiber orientation directions are directions the eigenvectors of the fiber orientation tensor, and the eigenvalues of the fiber orientation tensor representing the probability percentage of fibers aligning in the principal corresponding directions. These data are stored in <study_name>_principalDirections.xml. NOTE: Change from fiber orientation tensor to principal directions: Before the release of MPI 6.0, the fiber orientation tensor passed to the 3D Abaqus Interface, and this data together with the mechanical and thermal expansion coefficient distributions was output by the interface as *.xml files. This caused some inconvenience in data conversion, so beginning in MPI 6.0, Autodesk Moldflow Insight directly outputs the principal directions of the material property set.

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Mechanical Are element-based results stored in individual properties engineering constant component files, such as <study_name>_E11.xml, <study_name>_E22.xml, <study_name>_E33.xml, <study_name>_v12.xml, ..., and these are nine components in principal directions based on the orthotropic assumption. The calculations of these mechanical properties are based on the selected micro-mechanics model and a 9-constant fiber orientation average method along with a selected closure approximation option, which are specified in the Fiber parameters of the Fill+Pack process settings. Thermal Are element-based results stored in expansion <study_name>_ltec_1.xml, coefficients <study_name>_ltec_2.xml and <study_name>_ltec_3.xml, representing the linear thermal expansion in the first, second, and third principal directions. These values are calculated based on the selected method in the Fiber parameters of the Fill+Pack process settings, with an orientation average. For unfilled materials, these files are produced:

<study_name>_Moduli.xml <study_name>_PoissonRatios.xml <study_name>_ShearModuli.xml <study_name>_Ltecs.xml

Initial stresses file

Autodesk Moldflow Insight passes the initial stresses calculated by the 3D Warp analysis to the interface. The API script converts this data and stores it in <study_name>_initStresses.xml. NOTE: Change from volumetric shrinkage to initial stress data: Before the release of MPI 6.0, the 3D Abaqus Interface translated the volumetric shrinkage result from 3D Flow, using the strintf3d script, to a format that could be converted into initial stresses by Abaqus' Autodesk Translator (through a command *INITIAL CONDITIONS, TYPE=STRESS, USER). However, because 3D Warp calculates the initial stresses internally using a proprietary technology, the inconsistency in the final warp results predicted by 3D Warp and by Abaqus could easily be identified. For this reason, beginning in the MPI 6.0 release, the initial stress data

Exporting models and files | 39

calculated by 3D Warp is passed directly to the 3D Abaqus Interface. Unit Before the release of MPI 6.0, the interface files were always conversion produced in the SI unit system, and a special script had to be coded to take care of unit conversion. Beginning in the MPI 6.0 release, the mpi2abq script takes care of the unit conversion if you select a unit system other than SI.

Autodesk Moldflow Insight to Abaqus interface (3D)

Fill+Pack (with or without Fiber) and Warp results for 3D models can be exported to Abaqus for further structural (usually Stress) analysis.

Exporting 3D data to Abaqus from the user interface

NOTE: This feature is only available for 3D models on PC. There are two parts to exporting Fill+Pack, Fiber and Warp results for 3D models to Abaqus: the first is running the mpi2abq.vbs macro to create the necessary files; the second is locating the files and using them in Abaqus. To run the mpi2abq.vbs macro from the user interface: 1 2 Click Tools tab > Automation panel > Play Macro.

In the Open Macro dialog, navigate to the location where the mpi2abq.vbs file is stored. By default, this location is C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Moldflow Insight xxxx\data\commands, (where xxxx is the version number of the Autodesk Moldflow Insight software you are using) Click on the mpi2abq.vbs script, and then click Open. The script plays.

The API script saves the interface files in a folder created within the current project folder (for example in Windows XP, My Documents\My AMI xxxx Projects\Project1\<study_name>_interface_files, or in Windows Vista, Documents\My AMI xxxx Projects\Project1\<study_name>_interface_files, where xxxx is the version number of the Autodesk Moldflow Insight software you are using and <study_name> is the name of the study you are exporting to Abaqus). Once the files are in that location, you can use them in Abaqus. Refer to your Abaqus manual for instructions on how to import them.

Exporting 3D data to Abaqus from a command line

NOTE: This feature is only available for 3D models on PC.

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There are two parts to exporting Fill+Pack, Fiber and Warp results for 3D models to Abaqus: the first is running the mpi2abq.vbs macro to create the necessary files; the second is locating the files and using them in Abaqus. To run the mpi2abq.vbs macro from the command line: NOTE: The Autodesk Moldflow Insight command line will look for scripts stored in Windows XP, My Documents\My AMI xxxx Projects\commands\, or in Windows Vista, Documents\My AMI xxxx Projects\commands\. If no script is found, it will look in C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Moldflow Insight xxxx\data\commands, (where xxxx is the version number of the Autodesk Moldflow Insight software you are using). 1 Click View tab > Windows panel > User Interface and then select Command Line. The Command Line dialog appears. 2 3 Type mpi2abq. Click Go. The script plays.

The API script saves the interface files in a folder created within the current project folder (for example in Windows XP, My Documents\My AMI xxxx Projects\Project1\<study_name>_interface_files, or in Windows Vista, Documents\My AMI xxxx Projects\Project1\<study_name>_interface_files, where xxxx is the version number of the Autodesk Moldflow Insight software you are using and <study_name> is the name of the study you are exporting to Abaqus). Once the files are in that location, you can use them in Abaqus. Refer to your Abaqus manual for instructions on how to import them.

Autodesk Moldflow Insight to ANSYS interface

The Autodesk Moldflow Insight to ANSYS interface enables you to export the mesh and key material and analysis data for further stress analyses in ANSYS. Injection molding specific distributions of initial stress, and material properties such as the orthotropic mechanical properties, and linear thermal expansion coefficients, are the key elements of this interface. Prerequisites The Autodesk Moldflow Insight to ANSYS interface requires the following:

A Midplane or 3D meshed model NOTE: A multi-cavity model is separated into individual cavities.

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Results of a Fill+Pack analysis, with or without Fiber orientation results

Restrictions The following restrictions apply to the Autodesk Moldflow Insight to ANSYS interface:

The following model features are not exported:

Runners, sprues, and gates Cooling channels, bubblers, baffles Mold boundary Gas-assisted injection molding parts Co-injection molding parts

The following Autodesk Moldflow Insight simulation features are not considered in the ANSYS analysis:

Corner effects Mold thermal expansion

Assumptions When working with layered, spatially varying materials, the ANSYS Interface for Autodesk assumes the following:

20 laminates will be output. NOTE: Fill+Pack outputs 12 laminates by default and will therefore be interpolated to 20 laminates for ANSYS.

Data exported / files created The Autodesk Moldflow Insight to ANSYS interface creates the following files:

one *.cdb (command database) file one *.ist (initial stress) file

The data exported by the interface includes:

For all Midplane/3D meshes:

Node position and element connectivity data Material IDs and section IDs needed for element and laminated properties Section data

For a Midplane model and unfilled material:

Elastic modulus, shear modulus, and Poisson's ratio values from the material properties database

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Coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) value from the material properties database Per-element and per-layer residual stress values in elemental local coordinate system Per-element and per-layer section orientation angle defined with respect to layer element coordinate system

For a Midplane model and fiber-filled material:

Per-element and per-layer elastic moduli, shear moduli, and Poisson's ratio values in principal directions Per-element and per-layer coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) values in principal directions Per-element and per-layer residual stress values in elemental local coordinate system Per-element and per-layer section orientation angle defined with respect to layer element coordinate system

For a 3D model and unfilled material:

Elastic modulus, shear modulus, and Poisson's ratio values from the material properties database Coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) value from the material properties database Per-element initial stress values If the unfilled material is transversely isotropic, the flow direction of each element will be the first principal direction

For a 3D model and fiber-filled material:

Per-element and per-layer elastic modulus, shear modulus and Poissons ratio values in the three global coordinate directions Per-element and per-layer coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) values in the three global coordinate directions Per-element initial stress values in the three global coordinate directions

Additional notes The interface automatically creates a set of three fixities such that the nodes construct a maximum inscribed circle to fix the rigid body motion only for warpage calculation. You may wish to apply alternate displacement constraints within ANSYS prior to analysis. ANSYS has stricter rules regarding element aspect ratio so the Autodesk Moldflow Insight mesh may generate a number of warnings within ANSYS. These warnings may be ignored. For an Autodesk Moldflow Insight Midplane mesh, the interface creates shell181 elements. If there are structural beams in the model, they are created as beam4 elements. You can use a different element type that supports laminate initial stress and material property data by providing a

Exporting models and files | 43

suitable mapping in the *.cdb (command database) file generated by the interface. For an Autodesk Moldflow Insight 3D mesh that comprises four-node tetrahedra, the interface creates 10-node solid187 elements. This requires a mid-point generation command to be run in the ANSYS pre-processor. You can use a different solid element that supports orthotropic properties by providing a suitable mapping in the *.cdb file generated by the interface. The ANSYS SHELL181 element includes the effects of transverse shear deformation. This requires the shear moduli G23 and G13 to be used in this element, which is different to what the Autodesk Moldflow Insight Warp solver does. ANSYS cannot be automatically instructed to run a large deflection analysis; a linear analysis with one loading step is run by default. If you have selected a large deflection analysis in Autodesk Moldflow Insight, you need to make appropriate changes to the ANSYS command script to also run a large deflection analysis; otherwise, the Autodesk Moldflow Insight and ANSYS results will not be comparable. Autodesk Moldflow Insight 3D Warp analysis is based on proprietary solver technology, and the element type(s) used in ANSYS can differ from those used in 3D Warp models. Therefore, there may be a difference in the magnitude of the deflections calculated by ANSYS 3D and 3D Warp analyses. However, the warped shape should be the same in both results.

Autodesk Moldflow Insight to ANSYS interface

The Autodesk Moldflow Insight to ANSYS interface enables you to export the mesh and key material and analysis data for further stress analyses in ANSYS.

Exporting model and results to ANSYS

NOTE: This feature is available only for Midplane or 3D models when an analysis sequence that includes Fill+Pack is selected. There are two parts to exporting Fill+Pack results (with or without Fiber orientation results) from Autodesk Moldflow Insight to ANSYS. The first is running the mpi2ans.vbs script to create the necessary interface files; the second is locating these interface files and using them in ANSYS. The interface will convert any Midplane or 3D model from Autodesk Moldflow Insight into an ANSYS command database file. It will reject Dual Domain models because these cannot be taken into ANSYS for structural analysis. To run the mpi2ans.vbs macro: 1 2 3 Open the Midplane or 3D study with Fill+Pack results. Click View tab > Windows panel > User Interface, and select Command Line. Type mpi2ans and click Go.

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NOTE: If unused properties exist, a warning dialog appears informing you that they will be removed. Click OK to close this dialog. The script will then prompt for an output filename. TIP: To ensure that ANSYS will not have any difficulty reading the files generated by this interface, use only alphanumeric characters and underscores in the filename. In particular, you should avoid using parentheses: ( ). 4 5 Accept the default output filename or type an alternate name, and click OK. In the Setting units system dialog, enter SI, English or metric to specify the units system, and click OK. A dialog appears confirming the selected units to be used. Click OK. Click OK in the dialog that appears to confirm the name of the output folder. The script creates a folder of this name under the project directory of the study being exported, and then launches an executable in a DOS window to generate the ANSYS input files. NOTE: If a Windows Security Alert window appears, click Unblock to allow the executable mpi2str to run. 7 Click OK to confirm the export is complete. TIP: If you plan to compare Autodesk Moldflow Insight and ANSYS results, note down the numbers of the three nodes to which the interface applied constraints (the anchor nodes), as reported in the DOS window.

NOTE: If the model comprises multiple cavities, then a set of three constraints will be reported for each individual cavity. You will also find that the interface has created separate ANSYS input files (*.ist, *.cdb) for each cavity, with the number 1, 2, etc. appended to the output file name you specified. Locate the files that have been generated. These files are stored in the Autodesk Moldflow Insight project directory where the interface files were created. Open the moldflow2ansys.db file in ANSYS and generate the required results using the ANSYS documentation for support. CAUTION: When viewing Autodesk Moldflow Insight results for the purpose of comparison with the results you obtained from ANSYS, be sure to set an anchor plane based on the anchor nodes selected by the interface. Note also that the Autodesk Moldflow Insight analysis considers certain injection molding specific effects that are not simulated in ANSYS, namely corner effects and mold thermal expansion.

Exporting models and files | 45

Mapping pressure or temperature results to a mold mesh surface for export to ANSYS for mold deflection analysis
To map pressure or temperature time series results to a mold mesh surface for analysis with ANSYS software, you must have separate 3D meshed models of the part and the mold, stored in separate study (*.sdy) files in the same project.

The mold mesh property should be defined as either Part insert (3D) or Core (3D). The specified Mold material property must be the same on both the part model and the mold model. The part model and mold model geometries must mate to each other, but the nodes and elements on the mating surfaces do not have to coincide. The mold mesh must have enough nodal constraints applied for stress analysis.

This feature is available only for 3D models when an analysis sequence that includes Fill+Pack is selected. NOTE: This feature is not supported for the Underfill Encapsulation molding process. 1 Ensure that you have 3D meshed models of the part and the mold saved in separate studies in the current project; for example, part.sdy and mold.sdy. Typically, these models are prepared for a core deflection analysis, and the mating surfaces must match. Ensure that the mold properties specified for the mold mesh are identical to the properties that are defined for the mold steel in the part mesh. Open the part study (for example, part.sdy) and select an analysis sequence that includes Fill+Pack. Click (Home tab > Molding Process Setup panel > Process Settings) to open the Process Settings Wizard. a If necessary, click Next until the page on which the Advanced options button appears is displayed. For thermoplastics molding processes, this is the Fill+Pack Settings page. For thermoset molding processes, this is the Profile Settings page. b Click Advanced options. c In the Solver parameters group, click Edit. d Click the Interface tab, and click ANSYS options. 5 In the ANSYS Options dialog, set the Separate finite element mesh for mold option to Specify it, and click Specify filename.

2 3

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a In the Mold mesh model filename text box, type the name of the study in the current project that contains the mold mesh model, for example, mold.sdy. b From the Select part data to pass onto mold mesh list, select the results you want to map onto the mold mesh: Pressure history, Temperature history, or Both pressure and temperature. c From the Solution method list, select the type of analysis to perform in ANSYS: One step steady or Multi-step transient. 6 7 8 Click OK four times to return to the Process Settings Wizard. Specify any remaining process settings, if necessary click Next until the last page appears, and click Finish to close the Process Settings Wizard. Click (Home tab > Analysis panel > Start Analysis).

When the analysis is complete, run the mpi2ans.vbs macro to generate the interface files for input to ANSYS. See Exporting model and results to ANSYS for details about generating the interface files.

Autodesk Moldflow Insight to LS-DYNA interface

The LS-DYNA Interface enables Autodesk Moldflow Insight users to output Midplane mesh models and some key material properties to LS-DYNA input files so that various analyses can be done with LS-DYNA. NOTE: This feature is available only on Windows systems. An API script, mpi2dyn.vbs, automatically converts the necessary Autodesk Moldflow Insight files into a format that LS-DYNA can use. Injection molding-specific distributions resulting from a Warp analysis, such as initial stress and material properties, are the key elements of this interface. These distributions are written to separate LS-DYNA input files, including the *.sts file for initial stress distribution and the *.mts file for mechanical property distribution. Release version 971 of LS-DYNA or later versions are required to work with this LS-DYNA Interface. Interfacing to LS-DYNA The LS-DYNA Interface passes three data types from Autodesk Moldflow Insight to LS-DYNA according to LS-DYNA input specifications. These data types are: 1 2 3 mesh model data, initial stress data, and material data.

Another type of data is the control parameter set. In the LS-DYNA Interface, control parameters are grouped into a default set for predicting the warped part shape. However, the control parameters will differ depending on the

Exporting models and files | 47

situation and the solution level of difficulty, so users may choose to change the default options. To view or change the LS-DYNA options in Autodesk Moldflow Insight for the current study, ensure that you have selected an analysis sequence that includes Fill+Pack, click Analysis > Process Settings Wizard , if necessary click Next one or more times to navigate to the Fill+Pack Settings page of the Wizard, click Advanced options, click Edit in the Solver parameters group, click Interface (tab), and click LS-Dyna options. Details about these options can be found in the LS-DYNA documentation; the default values are given in this LS-DYNA Options dialog. Material model options LS-DYNA includes more than 200 material models from which to choose. The LS-DYNA Interface includes four material model options considered most applicable to analysis of thermoplastics injection-molded parts.

MAT_116 models the elastic responses of composite layups that have arbitrary layers through the part thickness and is based on the orthotropic assumption, so it is equivalent to the approach used in the Warp solver. This is the default material model option in the LS-DYNA Interface. MAT_022 is the composite damage model. However, the Autodesk Moldflow materials Database does not include polymer matrix and fiber strength properties. NOTE: If you choose this option, you will need to fill in the actual strength values for impact analysis in LS-DYNA.

MAT_023 is the orthotropic temperature dependency model. However, the Autodesk Moldflow materials Database does not include relaxation moduli or a temperature dependency model for structural analysis. NOTE: Currently, only two sets of the same values corresponding to two temperatures are used in the LS-DYNA Interface. If necessary, you will need to replace the temperature dependent data and provide more temperature points in LS-DYNA.

MAT_002 is the orthotropic elastic model. This is a simple model which should be used only with unfilled materials.

Solution method options

There are two basic solution method options available in LS-DYNA: static or quasi-static. In general, applications using unfilled materials can be solved easily by the static method, but for some applications using fiber-filled materials, the quasi-static method may be necessary. Users need to

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understand the time range and other control parameters associated with the quasi-static method in LS-DYNA. Memory limit option By default, the LS-DYNA Interface produces the LS-DYNA input file with a maximum of 300,000,000 words. However, interface files for typical Autodesk Moldflow Insight models of 6,000 elements can exceed this default value, such that the Windows 32-bit version of LS-DYNA may not be able to handle them. Typically, for models having more than 6,000 elements and using fiber-filled materials, the LS-DYNA analysis must be run on a UNIX or LINUX workstation. In this case, you can change the default memory value in the LS-DYNA Options dialog to a higher value, or you can change the *KEYWORD value in the ASCII input file. Refer to the LS-DYNA documentation for information about other element formulation options and parallel processing options.

Other options

Converting LS-DYNA interface files for use on UNIX/LINUX systems Since the LS-DYNA Interface is only available on Windows systems, whereas the LS-DYNA application itself is often run on UNIX or LINUX systems, it is possible to convert interface files generated on Windows systems for use on UNIX/LINUX systems: in the C shell, type tr -d '\015' < filename.dyn > tmp, then type mv tmp filename.dyn.

Exporting to LS-DYNA
There are two ways to export data to LS-DYNA: from the user interface, or from the command line.

Exporting data to LS-DYNA from the user interface

NOTE: This feature is only available on Windows systems. The Autodesk Moldflow Insight to LS-DYNA interface requires the following:

A Midplane meshed model. Results of a Fill+Pack + Warp analysis sequence, with Fiber results if a fiber-filled material is selected. NOTE: Set the desired LS-DYNA interface options before launching the analysis.

A license to use the LS-DYNA Interface.

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There are two parts to exporting Autodesk Moldflow Insight data for input to LS-DYNA: running the mpi2dyn.vbs macro to create the necessary files, and locating the files and using them in LS-DYNA. To run the mpi2dyn.vbs macro from the user interface: 1 2 Click Tools tab > Automation panel > Play Macro.

In the Open Macro dialog, navigate to the location where the mpi2dyn.vbs file is stored. By default, this location is C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Moldflow Insight xxxx\data\commands, where xxxx is the version number of the Autodesk Moldflow Insight software you are using. Click on the mpi2dyn.vbs script, and then click Open. The script plays.

The API script saves the interface files in a folder created within the current project folder. For example in Windows XP, My Documents\My AMI xxxx Projects\Project1\<study_name>_interface_files, or in Windows Vista, Documents\My AMI xxxx Projects\Project1\<study_name>_interface_files, where xxxx is the version number of the Autodesk Moldflow Insight software you are using and <study_name> is the name of the study you are exporting to LS-DYNA. Once the files are in that location, you can use them in LS-DYNA. Refer to your LS-DYNA manual or help system for instructions on how to import them and perform the LS-DYNA analysis.

Exporting data to LS-DYNA from the command line

NOTE: This feature is only available on Windows systems. The Autodesk Moldflow Insight to LS-DYNA interface requires the following:

A Midplane meshed model. Results of a Fill+Pack + Warp analysis sequence, with Fiber results if a fiber-filled material is selected. NOTE: Set the desired LS-DYNA interface options before launching the analysis.

A license to use the LS-DYNA Interface.

There are two parts to exporting Autodesk Moldflow Insight data for input to LS-DYNA: running the mpi2dyn.vbs macro to create the necessary files, and locating the files and using them in LS-DYNA. To run the mpi2dyn.vbs macro from the command line: NOTE: The Autodesk Moldflow Insight command line will look for scripts stored in Windows XP, My Documents\My AMI xxxx Projects\commands\,

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or in Windows Vista, Documents\My AMI xxxx Projects\commands\. If no script is found, it will look in C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Moldflow Insight xxxx\data\commands, (where xxxx is the version number of the Autodesk Moldflow Insight software you are using). 1 2 3 Click View tab > Windows panel > User Interface and then select Command Line. Enter mpi2dyn. Click Go. The script plays.

The API script saves the interface files in a folder created within the current project folder. For example, in Windows XP, My Documents\My AMI xxxx Projects\Project1\<study_name>_interface_files, or in Windows Vista, Documents\My AMI xxxx Projects\Project1\<study_name>_interface_files, where xxxx is the version number of the Autodesk Moldflow Insight software you are using and <study_name> is the name of the study you are exporting to LS-DYNA. Once the files are in that location, you can use them in LS-DYNA. Refer to your LS-DYNA manual or help system for instructions on how to import them and perform the LS-DYNA analysis.

Exporting to PATRAN
There are two parts to exporting Fill+Pack, Fiber and Warp results from Autodesk Moldflow Insight to PATRAN. The first is running the mpi2pat.vbs macro to create the necessary files; the second is locating the files and using them in PATRAN. The interface will convert any Autodesk Moldflow Insight Midplane or 3D model to a PATRAN command database file. NOTE: This feature is only available on Windows platforms. A prerequisite of using the Autodesk Moldflow Insight to PATRAN interface is to run Fill+Pack analysis, with or without fiber orientation analysis first. For a 3D model, 3D Warp needs to run to produce the initial stress values to be converted into PATRAN interface files. The 3D initial stress values are first saved in the *.tsp file in the project folder. After running the mpi2pat.vbs macro, they are saved in the <filename>_initStress.ele file in Patran format. The mesh model will be converted to the PATRAN 2.5 Neutral file format (*.pat). The result data will be converted to PATRAN 2.5 Results Files (*.ele), and each layer has its own file with extension *.ele.008, corresponding to the layer number.

Exporting models and files | 51

NOTE: Exporting to 3rd-party CAE formats requires that you have purchased the correct licenses. Refer to the Minimum license requirements page to find out if you can perform this operation.

Exporting to PATRAN
A prerequisite of using the Autodesk Moldflow Insight to PATRAN interface is to run Fill+Pack analysis, with or without fiber orientation analysis first.

Exporting to PATRAN
Exporting to 3rd party CAE formats requires that you have purchased the correct licenses. Refer to the Minimum license requirements page to find out if you can perform this operation. To run the mpi2pat.vbs macro: 1 Open the Midplane or 3D study with Fill+Pack results, with or without fiber orientation. NOTE: Dual Domain models will be rejected as these cannot be taken into PATRAN for structural analysis. 2 3 Click View tab > Windows panel > User Interface and then select Command Line. Type mpi2pat and click Go. The script will first prompt for an output filename. NOTE: To ensure that PATRAN will not have any difficulty reading the files generated by this interface, use only alphanumeric characters and underscores in the filename. In particular, you should avoid using parentheses: (, ). 4 5 Accept the default output filename or enter an alternate name, and then click OK. Click OK to confirm the message informing you of the name of the output folder. The script creates a folder of this name under the project directory of the study being exported, and then launches an executable in a DOS window to generate the PATRAN input files. NOTE: If a Windows Security Alert window appears, click Unblock to allow the executable to run. 6 Click OK to confirm the message that the export is complete.

The API script saves the interface files in a folder created within the current project folder. For example, in Windows XP, My Documents\My AMI xxxx Projects\Project1\<study_name>_interface_files,

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or in Windows Vista, Documents\My AMI xxxx Projects\Project1\<study_name>_interface_files, where xxxx is the version number of the Autodesk Moldflow Insight software you are using and <study_name> is the name of the study you are exporting to PATRAN. Once the files are in that location, you can use them in PATRAN. Refer to your PATRAN manual for instructions on how to import them.

Export to NASTRAN
There are two parts to exporting Fill+Pack, Fiber and Warp results from Autodesk Moldflow Insight to NASTRAN. The first is running the mpi2nas.vbs macro to create the necessary files; the second is locating the files and using them in NASTRAN. The interface will convert any Autodesk Moldflow Insight Midplane or 3D model to a NASTRAN command database file. NOTE: This feature is only available on PC. A prerequisite of using the Autodesk Moldflow Insight to NASTRAN interface is to run Fill+Pack analysis, with or without fiber orientation, first. For a 3D model, 3D Warp needs to run to produce the initial stress values to be converted into NASTRAN interface files. The 3D initial stress values are first saved in the *.tsp file in the project folder. After running the mpi2nas.vbs macro, they are converted to initial strains and saved in the *.ist file that NASTRAN can read in. The mesh model and related material properties and initial stresses are converted to the NASTRAN Bulk Data Format, primarily using the free form in order to reduce the interface file size. The interface file extensions used are *.nas for the mesh model, *.mts for the material properties, and *.ist for the initial strains.

Export to NASTRAN
A prerequisite of using the Autodesk Moldflow Insight to NASTRAN interface is to run Fill+Pack analysis, with or without fiber orientation, first.

Export to NASTRAN
To run the mpi2nas.vbs macro: 1 Open the Midplane or 3D study with Fill+Pack results, with or without fiber orientation. NOTE: Exporting to 3rd party CAE formats requires that you have purchased the correct licenses. Refer to the Minimum license requirements page to find out if you can perform this operation.

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2 3 4 5

Click View tab > Windows panel > User Interface and then select Command Line. Type mpi2nas and click Go. The script will first prompt for an output filename. Accept the default output filename, or enter an alternate name, and then click OK. Click OK to confirm the message informing you of the name of the output folder. The script creates a folder of this name under the project directory of the study being exported, then launches an executable in a DOS window to generate the NASTRAN input files. NOTE: If a Windows Security Alert window appears, click Unblock to allow the executable to run.

Click OK to confirm the message that the export is complete.

The API script saves the interface files in a folder created within the current project folder. For example, in Windows XP, My Documents\My AMI xxxx Projects \Project1\<study_name>_interface_files, or in Windows Vista, Documents\My AMI xxxx Projects \Project1\<study_name>_interface_files, where xxxx is the version number of the Autodesk Moldflow Insight software you are using and <study_name> is the name of the study you are exporting to NASTRAN. Once the files are in that location, you can use them in NASTRAN. Refer to your NASTRAN manual for instructions on how to import them.

Export to Altair Hyper3D

You can export the model and analysis result data from the active study to an Altair Hyper3D (*.h3d) file. This format is directly supported by Altair Engineering visualization products. IMPORTANT: HyperView 9.0 displays mesh and result data associated with mesh nodes or elements. HyperView Player 9.0 displays mesh only. Earlier versions of HyperView and HyperView Player cannot display exported *.h3d files. NOTE: This feature is supported for Midplane, Dual Domain, and 3D analysis technologies.

The model mesh and available result data are saved in the *.h3d file. If no results are available in the study, only the mesh is included in the exported file. If results are available and no results are marked for export, all results will be included with the mesh in the exported file.

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If you have marked results for export, only the marked results will be included with the mesh in the exported file.

NOTE: The *.h3d format only supports the export of result data that is associated with mesh nodes and elements. Other result data, such as Molding Window analysis results and X-Y plot data, are not supported.

Export to Altair Hyper3D

You can export the model and analysis result data from the active study to an Altair Hyper3D (*.h3d) file.

Exporting an Altair Hyper3D file

You can export the model and analysis result data from the active study to an Altair Hyper3D (*.h3d) file. This format is directly supported by Altair Engineering's visualization products. IMPORTANT: HyperView 9.0 displays mesh and result data associated with mesh nodes or elements. HyperView Player 9.0 displays mesh only. Earlier versions of HyperView and HyperView Player cannot display exported *.h3d files. NOTE: This feature is supported for Midplane, Dual Domain, and 3D analysis technologies. 1 Click Results tab > Export and Publish panel > Moldflow Results. Export > Study & Results .

Alternatively, click then The Export dialog opens. 2 3 4

Navigate to the location in which you want to save the export file. In the File name text box, enter a name for the export file. Select Altair Hyper3D (*.h3d) in the Save as type drop-down list, and then click Save.

The model mesh and available result data are saved in the *.h3d file. If no results are available in the study, only the mesh is included in the exported file. If results are available and no results are marked for export, all results will be included with the mesh in the exported file. If you have marked results for export, only the marked results will be included with the mesh in the exported file. CAUTION: The *.h3d format only supports export of result data associated with mesh nodes and elements. Result data such as Molding Window analysis results and X-Y plot data are not supported.

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Export to Code V
Code V is an optical analysis program from Optical Research Associates, which can simulate the appearance of an image seen through a lens. You can export the optical properties of a lens analyzed with a Fill + Pack + Warp analysis to Code V, and investigate how the molding process affects the optical properties of the lens.

Export to Code V
You can export the optical properties of a lens analyzed with a Fill + Pack + Warp analysis to Code V, and investigate how the molding process affects the optical properties of the lens.

Creating a birefringence result for export to Code V

The Code V export script requires a Fill + Pack + Warp analysis with birefringence results. NOTE: Check the Phase shift result for the magnitude of the retardance. Best results are obtained if the retardance in the optical area of the part is less than 510 wavelengths. TIP: Orient the lens so that the principal optical direction is the Z axis. The +Z side of the lens should be the top of the lens. If the lens is oriented differently, create a local coordinate system that satisfies the same requirement. Create a custom birefringence Retardance Tensor plot. This plot will be used by the export script to produce interface files that are imported into Code V. 1 2 3 Select Results tab > Plots panel > New Plot > Custom.

Select the Birefringence plot type. Select the +Z direction. If you defined a local coordinate system, select it in the Coordinate System drop-down list. Select Retardance tensor.

A new result Retardance tensor_+Z is created. TIP: It is recommended that you define an anchor plane so that the optical axis is explicit. Without an anchor plane, the optical axis is computed using a best fit method.

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Running the Code V interface script

The mpi2codev.vbs script is located in the data\commands directory where Autodesk Moldflow Insight was installed. 1 2 3 Click View tab > Windows panel > User Interface and then select Command Line. Type mpi2codev and press Go. The Enter filename dialog appears. Enter a prefix that will become the base name of the files that the script generates. If your prefix contains an absolute path, all of the generated files will be placed in that location. Enter the number of grid points in the X and Y directions. This controls the resolution of the generated files. Values between 10 and 50 are usually appropriate. CAUTION: A very coarse grid will reduce the accuracy of the Code V analysis. A very fine grid may result in too few mesh elements contributing to each grid point, magnifying rounding errors and affecting the accuracy. The script warns you if the mesh is too coarse with respect to the grid. 5 Enter the minimum and maximum X and Y coordinates corresponding to the optical area of the lens. Coordinates are in the same units as the study (for example, millimeters or inches).

The script creates four files, each with the same base name as the prefix you chose. Table 2: Interface files created by mpi2codev.vbs
File name prefix_Top_SUR.int prefix_Bottom_SUR.int prefix_BIR.int Description Warpage of the top surface Warpage of the bottom surface Average birefringence of the part NOTE: This interface file corresponds to the Autodesk Moldflow Insight Phase shift result, but will look different when plotted in Code V because the result is displayed relative to the wavelength in Code V. prefix_CAO.int Crystal axis data for the part

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Importing the interferogram files into Code V

Code V considers the top and bottom surfaces of a lens as independent entities. You must attach the generated surface interface files to the corresponding surface in Code V. Attach the birefringence interface files to the top surface in Code V. NOTE: Meniscus lenses with a bevel effectively have a smaller diameter for the concave surface than for the convex surface. You may need to run the mpi2codev.vbs script twice, specifying the diameters for the top and bottom surfaces, and import the corresponding version into Code V on each surface. 1 Edit the surface properties of the top surface. NOTE: In order to be attached to one surface, the three interferogram files must be given different labels in Code V. a Attach the prefix_Top_SUR.int interferogram file. b Attach the prefix_CAO.int interferogram file. c Attach the prefix_BIR.int interferogram file. 2 Edit the surface properties of the bottom surface. a Attach the prefix_Bottom_SUR.int interferogram file. If you are analyzing a multi-lens assembly, repeat the process for each lens.

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MPX

You can simulate actual injection molding machine characteristics by importing data about the machine from Moldflow Plastics Xpert (MPX).

MPX
You can simulate actual injection molding machine characteristics by importing data about the machine from Moldflow Plastics Xpert (MPX).

Importing machine characteristics from MPX

The machine data must be exported from MPX in UDM file (ASCII model file *.udm) format. The data is incorporated into the current study. NOTE: Importing machine characteristics is only available for the Thermoplastic Injection Molding Process. 1 2 3 4 Open the project and study for which you want to import data. Click (Home tab > Import panel > Import). Locate the UDM File (*.udm) that contains the data you want to import. Click Open.

The relevant machine information has been transferred to the current study and can be reviewed in the Process Settings Wizard.

Editing imported machine characteristics

You can edit or verify machine characteristics that have been imported into the current study from MPX. NOTE: Importing machine characteristics is only available for the Thermoplastic Injection Molding process.

1 2 3

Click

Home tab > Molding Process Setup panel > Process Settings.

Click Advanced options.... The Fill+Pack Analysis Advanced Options dialog appears. Click Edit... next to the Injection molding machine feature.

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Select the appropriate tab from the top of the dialog and edit the machine parameters as required. Click OK to accept the data, and then close all other dialogs.

Importing process settings from MPX

You can simulate actual injection molding process conditions by importing data about these conditions from Moldflow Plastics Xpert (MPX). The process conditions must be exported from MPX in UDM file (ASCII model file *.udm) format. The data is incorporated into the current study. NOTE: Importing processing conditions is only available for the Thermoplastic Injection Molding Process. 1 2 3 4 Open the project and study for which you want to import data. Click Home tab > Molding Process Setup panel > Import MPX Process Settings. Locate the UDM File (*.udm) that contains the data you want to import. Click Open.

The relevant process conditions have been transferred to the current study and can be reviewed in the Process Settings Wizard.

Editing imported process settings

You can edit or verify process settings that have been imported into the current study from MPX. NOTE: Importing processing conditions is only available for the Thermoplastic Injection Molding process.

1 2 3 4 5

Click

Home tab > Molding Process Setup panel > Process Settings.

Click Advanced options... The Fill + Pack Analysis Advanced Options dialog appears. Click Edit... in the Process controller pane. The Process controller dialog appears. Click the MPX Profile Data tab and click Edit profile.... The Measured/Fitted Profile Data from MPX dialog appears. Select and edit the required data. NOTE: The stroke must be entered in ascending order.

Click OK to accept the data, and then close all other dialogs.

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Editing DOE settings after importing process variations

Ensure a Design of Experiments (Fill + Pack) analysis is selected as the Analysis Sequence in the Study Tasks pane. You can edit or verify DOE settings after importing process variations data from MPX. NOTE: Importing process variations is only available for the Thermoplastic Injection Molding process.

1 2 3

Click

Home tab > Molding Process Setup panel > Process Settings.

Click Next to display the DOE settings page. Adjust the DOE parameters as required. NOTE: When the option in a drop-down box is altered to Specified, you can adjust the range of values to be considered in your DOE by adjusting the value in the Delta text-box.

Click Finish to accept the DOE settings using the imported data.

MPX
Use this dialog to import data from MPX.

Measured/Fitted Profile Data from MPX dialog

This dialog shows the raw profile data imported using the Analysis > Import Data From MPX > Import Process Settings menu item, as well as curve-fitted data. The measured or fitted data can also be viewed graphically by clicking on the corresponding Plot button.

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