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Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Yes – we hold virtual meetings in Microsoft Teams. You can join individually or as a group via a conference facility to view and discuss Cadmould simulation results with a SIMCON expert in real time.
Our solutions support a range of industries reliant on plastic injection molding. These include the automotive sector, with applications in lightweighting and functional components, as well as medical and healthcare for precision parts, microfluidics, and devices. We also serve the consumer goods industry for packaging, appliances, and wearables; the electronics industry for connectors, housings, and insulation; and the industrial and aerospace fields for high-performance plastics and structural parts. If you manufacture plastic parts using injection molding, we can help improve quality, reduce costs, and speed up your time-to-market.
A Cadmould subscription includes fast access to expert technical support via email, phone, or online chat, along with regular software updates that provide performance enhancements and new features. Subscribers also receive comprehensive training materials such as tutorials, webinars, and access to the SIMCON Academy, our virtual learning platform, all designed to shorten the learning curve and help both beginners and advanced users get the most out of the software. Higher-tier plans feature Varimos AI integration for AI-assisted optimization, while cloud licensing offers the flexibility to access the software from different locations and devices. For Enterprise customers, additional onboarding, consulting, and integration support are also available.
When you request a quotation, our team will discuss your goals and recommend the most suitable simulation package. We offer Flow Analysis (gate positions, melt flow, weld lines), Holding/Packing Analysis (clamp force, shrinkage, sink marks), and Cooling Analysis (cycle time, mold surface temperature, freeze time).
To run a simulation with Cadmould, you will need a 3D CAD model of the part and, if possible, the mold components. Additionally, you'll require material data such as the polymer type and grade, along with process parameters like injection speed, melt/mold temperature, cooling system layout, and packing pressure. Finally, mold and machine constraints, including clamping force, gate locations, and cycle time, are necessary. If any of these details are unclear or not yet known, our team can help you set up the model.
Simulation and Design of Experiments (DoE) offer numerous advantages that apply across most applications and production types. They help reduce costs by detecting errors at an early stage, which in turn reduces tool changes and rejects. They also save time, as optimum process parameters are determined before tool tests begin. Furthermore, they improve quality by minimizing distortion, incomplete filling, and sink marks. Using Varimos AI for DoE enables you to identify stable process windows, increasing production reliability. Even for smaller series, simulation can prevent costly errors and ensure error-free production. We would be pleased to advise you individually on your specific application.
Cadmould is an advanced simulation software ecosystem that is purpose-built for plastic injection molding. It helps engineers and designers predict how molten plastic will flow inside a mold, allowing them to optimize part and mold designs before production. By simulating filling, packing, cooling, and warpage, Cadmould helps reduce defects, shorten development cycles, and save on material and production costs.
Simulation offers a number of benefits for anyone working with plastic injection molding. These include defect prevention by identifying potential issues such as air traps, weld lines, and sink marks before production begins. It also leads to cost reduction by reducing the need for physical prototyping, which saves on material and tooling costs. Furthermore, simulation helps with cycle time optimization by determining the best processing parameters to minimize cycle times and improve efficiency. Quality is enhanced by ensuring better parts through the prediction and mitigation of warpage and shrinkage. Finally, it promotes sustainability by reducing material waste and energy consumption through the optimization of designs and processes at an early stage.
Cadmould is distinguished by its fast, precise simulations and intuitive workflow. Key reasons to choose Cadmould include its speed, with faster computation times compared to some competitors, which enables quick design iterations. It also offers high precision in flow, warpage, and fiber orientation predictions. The software is easy to use, featuring a user-friendly interface with a streamlined simulation process that reduces the learning curve. Additionally, Cadmould offers AI-assisted optimization through its seamless integration with Varimos, its very own AI assistant for automated design optimization.
Cadmould and Varimos AI are tools for mold designers, design engineers, and computational engineers who want to understand how plastic flows through a mold and the quality of the parts this creates.
Cadmould and Varimos AI are compatible with Ansys, Pamcrash, and the open CAx standard VMAP. Other compatible structural analysis tools include Abaqus (FEA), Altair® OptiStruct® (via PART Converse), Altair® Radioss® (via PART Converse), ANSYS (FEA), and others.
Cadmould works with solid CAD models and supports all major native and open formats like CATIA, Creo, and Parasolid. These interfaces are updated regularly at no extra cost.
Cadmould and Varimos AI offer a range of export options, including Topsolid Mold, VG Metrology for warpage analysis, precise mesh export with the Warp Add-On, VMAP result export (an open CAE standard), and detailed reports available in HTML, PDF, and PowerPoint formats.
Yes, simulation parameters can be easily transferred to a wide range of injection moulding machines. For example, parameters in Cadmould can be sent directly to ARBURG machines with GESTICA control systems. Parameters can also be transferred to ENGEL machines using ENGEL's sim link technology.
Viewer is used in two main ways. Cadmould users can use Viewer to compare multiple projects, and managers or clients can review engineers' work without needing CAE expertise.
The main difference between Cadmould and Cadmould Viewer is functionality. Cadmould is a complete simulation ecosystem, while Cadmould Viewer is only for viewing and sharing simulation results.
Cadmould Viewer can open RM1 files (.rm1) and CFEX files (.cfex).
Cadmould Viewer allows collaborators to interactively explore simulation results shared in full 3D. Parts can be rotated and zoomed as needed for a comprehensive assessment from every angle. Additionally, Viewer enables the compilation of detailed HTML reports and professional charts that turn raw data into actionable visuals. Viewer also provides access to precise virtual measurement tools that allow collaborators to measure key dimensions and compare simulation variants side-by-side directly in the Viewer window.
While Cadmould Fill simulates the material’s entry into the mold, Cadmould Pack focuses on the pressure and cooling phase. Insights from Pack help you ensure uniform density, reduced shrinkage, and optimized cycle times.
Yes! It predicts where sink marks and voids are likely to occur and provides insights for modifying mold design or adjusting packing pressure to prevent defects.
By optimizing cooling times and packing pressure, Cadmould Pack reduces cycle duration, minimizes material waste, and improves part consistency, making large-scale production more cost-effective.
Standard structural solvers assume isotropic behavior, leading to inaccurate stress and deformation predictions. By incorporating accurate fiber orientation data, engineers achieve a more realistic picture of how a part will function in the real world.
Fiber Export exports fiber orientation data in Abaqus (.inp), Ansys (.xml), and Nastran (.dat) formats.
Engineers can optimize fiber alignment to improve load distribution, weight efficiency, and long-term durability, reducing the risk of failures and overengineering.
Yes - but we also recommend including a packing analysis, as stress during the packing phase can significantly alter fiber alignment.
Batch automates multiple predefined simulations, while Varimos AI focuses on optimizing design and process parameters. Batch processing works best for running known variations, while Varimos AI uses Batch to fine-tune calculations for the necessary iterations.
Yes. Users can set priorities for queued simulations, ensuring high-priority analyses are executed first.
Yes. Batch efficiently distributes simulations across multiple processors to maximize speed and efficiency.
By simulating melt flow, Cadmould Fill predicts issues like short shots, weld lines, and air traps. This provides engineers with the insights they need to adjust mold and process parameters before production.
Yes. The software supports family and multiple molds, helping you ensure proper balancing and flow optimization.
Thanks to the advanced 3D-F algorithm, Fill offers unmatched simulation speed and accuracy combined with lower hardware needs than many competitors. This enables efficient design iterations.
Fiber alignment affects shrinkage, warpage, and mechanical strength. Failing to account for the effects of fiber alignment can result in distortion and structural weaknesses in your final part.
Yes. Fiber Export, available as an add-on, makes it possible to export fiber orientation data to Ansys, Digimat, Abaqus, Pam-Crash, and other platforms.
Cadmould Fiber accurately accounts for anisotropic shrinkage effects. This allows Cadmould Warp to provide more realistic predictions of warpage when the two features are used in combination.
Fiber-reinforced plastics exhibit direction-dependent mechanical behavior. Correctly predicting fiber orientation helps engineers optimize stiffness, reduce warpage, and prevent failure-prone regions.
Yes - but for comprehensive warpage analysis, we recommend using Cadmould Warp in combination with Cadmould Fiber.
2K & Insert FEM focuses on deformations during injection molding due to melt pressure. Part FEM, on the other hand, predicts mechanical behavior after molding, when the part is under operational loads.
Yes. It simulates plastic-over-plastic molding, metal inserts, and other material combinations, helping you gain a complete and accurate understanding of multi-component part behavior.
Yes. Fiber orientation effects are considered within both 2K & Insert FEM and Part FEM, depending on the phase of analysis.
The software accurately calculates thermal effects on inserts, allowing you to optimize preheating temperatures for better adhesion, lower stress, and improved final part performance.
Cascadic Injection was designed to enable precise control over gate timing. It helps you optimize weld line positioning, pressure balance, and filling behavior in order to reduce warpage and improve mechanical properties.
Yes! Cascadic Injection helps you refine gate timing and injection parameters to improve quality and reduce defects in both new and existing molds.
The software reduces injection pressure peaks by optimizing flow paths and pressure distribution, preventing excessive shear heating and material degradation as well as speeding up your cycles.
Not at all. It features an intuitive interface with graphical gate timing controls, making it easy to adjust and compare different gate sequencing strategies.
Foam Processing supports a range of both chemical and physical foaming technologies, including MuCell®, Cellmould®, and Optifoam®.
Foam Processing helps optimize foam expansion to reduce weight while maintaining stiffness and durability.
Yes. It accounts for anisotropic shrinkage and expansion effects, allowing you to prevent deformation issues before they arise.
No. It is optimized for standard engineering workstations without the need for high-performance computing.
Injection compression molding incorporates a controlled mold compression phase to reduce injection pressure and internal stresses. This results in higher dimensional accuracy and fewer defects.
The automotive, medical devices, electronics, and optics industries use ICM to improve surface finish, reduce shrinkage, and enhance structural integrity.
Injection Compression achieves its most comprehensive analysis when combined with Fill, Pack, and Warp, since these features simulate flow behavior, pressure phases, and shrinkage in molded parts.
Yes. Thermal Mould Advanced requires a pre-designed mold CAD file for accurate heat transfer simulations.
Thermal Mould Basic generates an approximated mold for early-stage planning, while Thermal Mould Advanced analyzes complete mold designs with CAD-imported components.
Yes. The software automatically generates a virtual draft mold with approximated thermal properties.
Thermal Mould Basic provides an approximate analysis to support early-stage planning. By contrast, Thermal Mould Advanced offers detailed mold simulations using real mold CAD data.
Unlike thermoplastics, elastomers like rubber undergo irreversible curing rather than cooling-based solidification. Cadmould Rubber accurately models curing kinetics, temperature effects, and cross-linking behavior - critical factors for the outcomes of elastomer molding.
Rubber works in conjunction with the Warp add-on to accurately analyze anisotropic shrinkage and thermal expansion. The resulting insights help engineers adjust mold designs and process parameters to minimize dimensional instability.
By predicting defects such as air entrapment, under-curing, and excessive shrinkage, Rubber helps manufacturers avoid costly mold modifications, reduce scrap rates, and optimize cycle times.
Varimos AI generates training data from Cadmould simulations, uses AI to learn relationships between process variables and quality measures, and predicts the most effective configurations with fewer iterations.
Yes! It can optimize multiple engineering constraints simultaneously, such as minimizing shrinkage while maintaining mechanical strength.
Instead of the manual adjustment of settings and running of countless simulations, Varimos AI intelligently selects the most relevant simulation variants. In doing so, it ensures maximum efficiency with minimal computational cost.
Warp uses a combination of material data, process conditions, and mold constraints to accurately predict part deformations before production begins.
Unwarp automatically pre-corrects CAD geometry such that molds compensate for expected shrinkage and warpage, reducing trial-and-error adjustments.
Yes! Warp accounts for anisotropic shrinkage and fiber orientation effects, ensuring realistic predictions of the behavior of fiber-reinforced plastics.
Yes. The software supports user-provided meshes for accurate, realistic rendering of your exact part design.
No. Instead, it complements it by translating technical data into a visual format for easier communication and decision-making.
While sink marks are a key use case, it’s also valuable for assessing grain quality and deformation effects as well as for use in customer presentations.
Yes. The software allows you to view and rotate multiple textured models alongside each other for direct visual comparison.
A Cadmould Flex subscription plan provides comprehensive support to ensure you get the most from our simulation ecosystem. With this subscription, you receive fast access to expert technical assistance via email, phone, or online chat for any technical queries. Regular software updates are included, offering performance enhancements and new features to keep your tools at the cutting edge. You can take advantage of extensive training resources, including tutorials, webinars, and guides, to develop your skills and optimize your workflow. Cloud licensing gives you flexibility, allowing you to use the software across different devices and locations. For enterprise customers, we also provide additional onboarding, consulting, and integration support to ensure a seamless transition and a solution tailored to your requirements.
Training sessions are fee-based, thematic meetings focused on specific topics to deepen your expertise in a particular area. The SIMCON Academy is a comprehensive, curated e-learning path featuring self-paced modules, practical exercises, and knowledge checks to guide your learning journey. Finally, the Bootcamp is a complimentary four-hour online session designed for new Cadmould users during their trial phase, providing a foundational introduction to get you started.
A basic understanding of injection molding principles and CAD software is helpful for all our courses. For our advanced training modules, we require prior knowledge of fundamental Cadmould workflows to ensure you can keep pace with the material and fully benefit from the session.
Our intensive three-day training agenda is structured to provide a comprehensive learning experience. On the first day, the focus is on the fundamentals, covering software basics and the effective interpretation of simulation results. The second day addresses advanced topics such as shrinkage, warpage, and thermal analysis to enhance part quality and precision. On the third day, participants explore optimization techniques using Varimos AI, along with specialized applications including elastomers, multi-component parts, and inserts.
In group trainings, using your own parts is not possible, as predefined demo parts are used to ensure a consistent curriculum. However, in exclusive on-site team trainings, customer parts may be included upon request.
Training sessions and materials are typically available in German, English, and French. Other languages can be made available upon request or through local SIMCON partners.
Yes, a certificate of attendance is available upon request after you successfully complete a Cadmould Flex training session.
Yes. In company-exclusive training sessions, the content, examples, and data can be fully tailored to your team’s specific parts and processes.
Confidential data is handled under an NDA. If required, training sessions can also be conducted with anonymized or filtered datasets.
Pricing depends on the format, duration, number of participants, and level of customization. Package prices and framework agreements are also available.
Yes. The SIMCON Academy is designed for both self-study and to complement SIMCON training sessions.
The SIMCON Academy allows you to study at your own pace, repeat content anytime, refresh your knowledge, and access the latest updates and best practices.
Learning progress in the SIMCON Academy is tracked through integrated knowledge checks, small practice exercises, and optional final certificates.
Yes. Many customers use the SIMCON Academy to provide new employees with a fast and consistent introduction to Cadmould and Varimos AI.
Add-on configuration is tied to the renewal period of your subscription plan. Depending on your contract, you can reconfigure your add-ons monthly, every 12 months, or every 36 months. Additionally, you can reset and select new add-ons at any time for a fixed fee: €295 in the Starter Plan, €780 in the Standard Plan, and €915 in the Professional Plan.
No, each user must have their own subscription plan. The sharing of login credentials is strictly prohibited and may result in temporary or permanent suspension of access to Cadmould.
You can install Cadmould on multiple computers, but you can only run it on one computer at a time. However, you can start multiple instances to perform parallel simulations on the currently active computer. This functionality is limited only by your computer’s performance.
Unfortunately, no. This is only permitted in exceptional cases and requires express written permission.
Cadmould pricing varies based on your subscription plan, contract duration (1, 12, or 36 months), and payment interval (monthly or annually). Prices currently range from €295/month to €915/month.
Yes, Cadmould Viewer is free of charge and can be used without a Cadmould Flex licence.

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