Design Smarter with SOLIDWORKS: The 7 Best Practices of Plastics Part Design

Optimising Plastics Part Design with SOLIDWORKS Plastics

When plastics injection molded parts are central to your product’s success, understanding how to optimise your design process is key.

In this on-demand webinar, Peter Rucinski, Senior Director of Plastics Simulation and Material Data at Dassault Systèmes, explores how to design smarter and more efficiently using simulation tools within SOLIDWORKS Plastics.

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What You’ll Learn

The session, “The 7 Best Practices of Plastics Part Design,” provides practical guidance for engineers and designers who want to improve part performance and manufacturability while reducing costly design iterations.

You’ll learn how to:

• Predict and avoid common injection molding defects such as sink marks, warpage, and short shots.

• Apply seven key design principles to optimise your plastics part designs for the injection molding process.

• Leverage SOLIDWORKS Plastics simulation to validate and reinforce best practices early in the design stage.

  
  

From Concept to Quality — The Role of Simulation

The webinar provides a high-level overview of plastics materials data science, mold design, and injection molding terminology, before diving into the most frequent manufacturing defects that can cause costly time delays and budget overruns.

By using CAE simulation, you can predict these issues before they occur. This helps you design molds that work right the first time, ensure higher quality parts, and reduce manufacturing scrap.

Why It Matters

Adhering to the seven best practices of plastics part design doesn’t just streamline your workflow; it delivers measurable business impact:

• Shorter lead times through reduced trial-and-error.

• Lower costs due to fewer reworks and material waste.

• Improved part quality from optimised flow and cooling analysis.

  
  

With SOLIDWORKS Plastics, design teams can move beyond guesswork and build confidence in every part they produce.

Enhancing Efficiency in Design

In the world of manufacturing, efficiency is crucial. By utilising SOLIDWORKS Plastics, you can enhance your design process significantly. The software allows for real-time feedback on your designs, enabling you to make informed decisions quickly. This not only saves time but also reduces the likelihood of costly mistakes.

Understanding Injection Molding Defects

Injection molding defects can derail your project. Common issues include:

• Sink Marks: These occur when the material cools unevenly. It’s vital to understand how to mitigate this during the design phase.

• Warpage: This can lead to parts that do not fit together as intended. Proper design techniques can help prevent warpage.

• Short Shots: This happens when the mold does not fill completely. Knowing how to design for complete fill is essential.

  
  

By learning to predict these defects, you can save both time and resources.

The Importance of Simulation

Simulation is a powerful tool in the design process. It allows you to test your designs virtually before any physical production begins. This means you can identify and rectify potential issues early on.

Key Benefits of Using Simulation

1. Cost-Effective: By catching defects early, you reduce the need for expensive reworks.

2. Time-Saving: Simulation speeds up the design process, allowing for quicker iterations.

3. Quality Assurance: You can ensure that your parts meet quality standards before they are manufactured.

   
   

Conclusion

Optimising your plastics part design is essential for success in manufacturing. By leveraging tools like SOLIDWORKS Plastics, you can enhance your design process, reduce costs, and improve part quality.

Remember, the key to success lies in understanding and applying the best practices of plastics part design. With the right tools and knowledge, you can drive innovation and efficiency in your projects.

For more insights, don't forget to check out the full webinar on the 7 Best Practices of Plastics Part Design.