23 Jun 2020
Programme covers choice of materials, tapping into the Austrian company's “comprehensive material database”
Thalheim bei Wels, Austria – Injection mould manufacturer Rico Elastomere Projecting GmbH has developed a digital simulation process whereby it runs virtual tests on functionality of products before launching them in real-life.
Specialised in the production moulds for processing liquid silicone rubber (LSR) and high temperature vulcanising silicone rubber (HCR), the Austrian company said the simulation process allows it to build and manufacture silicone moulds after the digital twin is “fully mature”.
The digital trial-and-error process, according to Rico, simplifies the starting and the optimisation processes used to engineer the final product.
The simulation programme also covers choice of materials, tapping into Rico’s “comprehensive material database” containing laboratory findings from previous projects.
In addition, finite element calculations support component development and help to analyse the product configuration.
This, said Rico, helps eliminate risk factors in the design, assess mechanical properties, determine the tolerances for tension, strain and deformation, and calculate pressure conditions and shoring forces.
The simulation process also focuses on cavity fillings, holding pressure, shrinkage and distortion.
“The results of this simulation generate vital insights for our high-volume moulds,” said Martin Rapperstorfer, head of sales.
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