CAD & CAE.

There's new or enhanced simulation software for almost any process.

In addition to few CAD/CAM software introductions - mostly aimed at machining tasks - NPE will showcase numerous simulation tools for processors who would rather have experiment on a computer screen than in tool steel.

MOLDING

Look for brand-new versions of the two most popular injection molding simulations, offered by C-Mold in Louisville, Ky., and Moldflow Pty., Lexington, Mass.

Chief among the new features in C-Mold 97.7 is simplified Internet access. Icons within C-Mold can open an Internet browser or send e-mail. This change lets users visit on-line resources while still working within C-Mold. Those resources include C-Mold's site on the World Wide Web (www.cmold.com), which now offers software enhancements and free access to the company's growing materials database. E-mail capability enables users to share C-Mold results faster.

Other enhancements include 174 additional new materials in the database, improved juncture-loss simulation to handle more combinations of runner-diameter sections, and expanded cooling simulation to cover bubblers and baffles with variable cross sections.

Moldflow will bring out Release 9.3 of its Dynamic Series software. Among the new features is MF/Cool Gas, which lets users optimize cooling-circuits in gas-assist molding. Mold-flow will also demonstrate its new Intelligent Process Control system, which applies simulation results to shop-floor process optimization.

Rapra Technology will show a new version of FillCalc, a PC-based mold-filling simulation package that now has improved links to a variety of CAD systems.

In addition, new "quick-check" part-verification tools that quickly and simply indicate whether a part can be filled successfully will join ones already on the market from C-Mold, Dallas-based Plastics & Computer Inc., and The Madison Group, Madison, Wis. One new product of this type is Mold-flow's Part Advisor (see Technology Newsfocus).

SIMULATING OTHER PROCESSES

Besides injection molding, there will also be simulation news for other processes:

* Compression Molding - New "Express" from M-Base Engineering + Software of Aachen, Germany, simulates compression molding of reinforced thermoplastic sheet. It predicts flow, fiber orientation, shrinkage, and warpage.

Similar capabilities for thermoset SMC are offered by Cadpress Version 2.0 from The Madison Group.

* Thermosets - Thermoset 3-D from The Madison Group analyzes curing and residual stresses in thick parts such as cast-marble sinks.

* Blow molding, thermoforming - C-Mold 97.7 for blow molding and thermoforming processes has improved Internet and e-mail access, as noted above.

* Extrusion - Scientific Process & Research Inc., Somerset, N.J., will bring out a Windows 95 extrusion simulation package called Extrud 97.

* Shrinkage, warpage - Stress Engineering Services, Houston, will show new software for predicting effects of autoclave sterilization on medical parts and assemblies. Drop-impact simulation will also be shown.

What to Look for:

* Simulation software for injection, compression, and blow molding, thermoforming, and extrusion.

* A new gas-simulation module.

* Seamless Internet access for popular mold-filling software.

* Quick-check flow-simulation programs.