Effect of the Finite Element Meshing for Designing Plastic Pieces

Abstract

The objective of this work was to modify the simulation mesh model characteristics (critical areas evaluation, mesh density, and elements size) of a commercial compact disk (CD) case by using computer-aided design (CAD) and computer aided engineer (CAE) software. The designing process was carried out by studying the geometry and dimensions of the three pieces (cover, holder, and base) that form commercial and optimized CD cases.The mesh model was obtained using 3D (three dimensional) modeler software and the simulation results were obtained using a simulation program typically used for the injection-molding process. The exposed designs were evaluated and different mesh model characteristics were established. The filling time, cycle time, and residual stress concentration seemed to be influenced by the nodes number model. An analysis of the results of the simulations showed remarkable differences when a high number of nodes in the mesh model were used.

Keywords:

• Compact disc
• computer-aided design
• computer-aided engineer
• simulation

Notes

^a  = Cooling Time = 12 s. and Open Mold Time = 2 s. for all de runs.

^b Initial = previous mesh with the smaller injection temperature (cover).

^c Initial = previous mesh with the smaller injection temperature (hold).

^d Initial = previous mesh with the following injection temperature (hold).

^e Initial = previous mesh with the following injection temperature (hold).

^f Initial = previous mesh with the smaller injection temperature (base).

^a

^b

^c

^a  = Cooling Time = 12 s and Open Mold Time = 2 s for all de runs.