C-MOLD Interface
| Solver | C-MOLD |
| Type of mesh | unstructured mesh |
| Dimension | 2D |
| T | Q |
The C-MOLD translator writes a C-MOLD Finite-Element Mesh <filename.fem> according to the C-MOLD Plastics Process Simulation Software, release 3.1. In the finite-element file, there are seven data sets in this order of appearance:
The nodal property data set is not used in the current release of the ICEM/C-MOLD interface.
The translator writes the C-MOLD Finite-Element Mesh file using up to three unstructured domain files with their corresponding boundary condition files. Under the menu "Output", "Select solver", select "C-MOLD". Then select "Write input". A window opens to allow the specification of the files to be translated into the C-MOLD format:
The successful execution of the interface generates the C-MOLD Finite-Element Mesh file located in the project directory.
The interface accepts only 2D or 1D unstructured domains. The purpose of the multiple domains input (up to 3 unstructured domains with their respective boundary condition files) is to allow the creation of a mesh built from two non-touching parts linked with one or several connectors. The two parts are generally 2D grids. The connector is a 1D unstructured domain. The 2D unstructured domain files are assumed not to have any common nodes. No merging is done between two 2D domain files. The 1D unstructured domain files are assumed to have common nodes with the 2D domain files. A geometric merging of the nodes is done between 1D and 2D domain files.
After generating the mesh, and prior to running the translator, elemental property data must be defined using the C-Mold Graphical User Interface (GUI). Under the menu "Output", "Select solver", select "C-Mold". Then click on the "Boundary conditions" icon. The "Family Boundary Conditions" window opens allowing to set boundary conditions on the mesh families. The elemental properties are defined on surfaces (subfaces) only. Please refer to the General Remarks section for more details. Tables 1 and 2 explain how to set the elemental properties for the C-MOLD interface.
Table 1 summarizes which associated properties need to be defined in the GUI for each element type. Not all properties need to be defined for all element types. Each entry requested by the user is indicated with "user input" in the table.
Table 2 describes which fields in the boundary conditions menu need to be specified and the different options available.
The type of elements recognized by the C-MOLD Translator are:
_____________________________________________________________________________ Triangular 1D Element Element _____________________________________________ Element Runners Cooling Connector Properties (hot or cold) Channel _____________________________________________________________ Plastic Plastic Channel Connector Element Element Element Element _____________________________________________________________________________ Hot runner n/a user input n/a n/a manifold ID only hot run. _____________________________________________________________________________ Thickness or user input user input user input n/a diameter _____________________________________________________________________________ Shape factor user input user input user input n/a (default=1) _____________________________________________________________________________ Tcode user input user input user input user input (30000) (30000) (30002) (30004) _____________________________________________________________________________ Element type user input user input user input user input qualifier (1 or 2) (1 or 2) (1,2,3 or 4) multiplicity factor _____________________________________________________________________________ Initial fill =0(empty) user input n/a n/a condition (0,1 or 2) _____________________________________________________________________________ Valve-gate n/a n/a n/a =0 timer ID _____________________________________________________________________________