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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 variety of industries that rely on plastic injection moulding. In the automotive sector, we enable lightweighting and the production of functional components. For the medical and healthcare industries, we facilitate the creation of precision parts, microfluidics, and devices. In consumer goods, we assist with packaging, appliances, and wearables, while in electronics, we focus on connectors, housings, and insulation. Additionally, we serve the industrial and aerospace sectors, specialising in high-performance plastics and structural parts. If you manufacture plastic parts using injection moulding, we can help you enhance quality, reduce costs, and accelerate your time-to-market.
A Cadmould subscription offers a comprehensive package to support your success. It includes technical support, providing fast access to expert assistance via email, phone, or online chat. You’ll receive regular software updates with performance enhancements and new features. To help you get the most out of the software, we provide extensive training materials, including tutorials, webinars, and access to the SIMCON Academy, our dedicated virtual learning platform, designed for users of all levels. Higher-tier plans also include Varimos AI integration for AI-assisted optimisation. Additionally, cloud licensing ensures the flexibility to access the software from various locations and devices. For Enterprise customers, we offer extra onboarding, consulting, and integration support to meet your specific needs.
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, mould surface temperature, freeze time).
To run a simulation with Cadmould, you will need a 3D CAD model of the part and, if available, the mould components. You will also require material data, including the polymer type and grade, as well as process parameters such as injection speed, melt and mould temperature, cooling system layout, and packing pressure. Additionally, mould and machine constraints, including clamping force, gate locations, and cycle time, are necessary. If any of these details are unclear or not yet determined, our team is ready to assist you in setting up the model.
Simulation and Design of Experiments (DoE) provide numerous advantages that apply across various applications and production types. They help reduce costs by identifying errors early, thereby minimising tool changes and rejects. They also save time by determining optimal process parameters before tool tests. Quality is significantly improved by reducing issues such as distortion, incomplete filling, and sink marks. By using Varimos AI for DoE, you can identify stable process windows, enhancing production reliability. Simulation is particularly valuable for preventing costly errors in smaller series and ensuring error-free production. We would be delighted to provide individual advice tailored to your specific application.
Cadmould is an advanced simulation software ecosystem that is purpose-built for plastic injection moulding. It helps engineers and designers predict how molten plastic will flow inside a mould, allowing them to optimize part and mould designs before production. By simulating filling, packing, cooling, and warpage, Cadmould helps reduce defects, shorten development cycles, and save material and production costs.
Simulation offers numerous benefits for anyone working with plastic injection moulding. It enables defect prevention by identifying potential issues such as air traps, weld lines, and sink marks before production begins. It also contributes to cost reduction by minimising the need for physical prototyping, thereby saving material and tooling expenses. Additionally, simulation helps optimise cycle times by determining the best processing parameters to enhance efficiency. It improves quality by predicting and mitigating issues like warpage and shrinkage, ensuring better part performance. Furthermore, it promotes sustainability by reducing material waste and energy consumption through early-stage design and process optimisation.
Cadmould stands out for its fast, precise simulations and intuitive workflow, making it a top choice for plastic injection moulding professionals. Its speed allows for faster computation times compared to some competitors, enabling quick design iterations. The software delivers exceptional accuracy in predicting flow, warpage, and fibre orientation, ensuring reliable results. With its user-friendly interface and streamlined simulation process, Cadmould is easy to use, significantly reducing the learning curve. Additionally, it features seamless integration with Varimos, its AI assistant, offering automated design optimisation for even greater efficiency.
Cadmould and Varimos AI are tools for mould designers, design engineers, and computational engineers who want to understand how plastic flows through a mould 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 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 mould, 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 mould 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 behaviour, 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 mould and process parameters before production.
Yes. The software supports family and multiple moulds, 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 behaviour. 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 moulding due to melt pressure. Part FEM, on the other hand, predicts mechanical behaviour after moulding, when the part is under operational loads.
Yes. It simulates plastic-over-plastic moulding, metal inserts, and other material combinations, helping you gain a complete and accurate understanding of multi-component part behaviour.
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 behaviour 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 moulds.
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 moulding incorporates a controlled mould 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 behaviour, pressure phases, and shrinkage in moulded parts.
Yes. Thermal Mould Advanced requires a pre-designed mould CAD file for accurate heat transfer simulations.
Thermal Mould Basic generates an approximated mould for early-stage planning, while Thermal Mould Advanced analyses complete mould designs with CAD-imported components.
Yes. The software automatically generates a virtual draft mould with approximated thermal properties.
Thermal Mould Basic provides an approximate analysis to support early-stage planning. By contrast, Thermal Mould Advanced offers detailed mould simulations using real mould 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 behaviour - critical factors for the outcomes of elastomer moulding.
Rubber works in conjunction with the Warp add-on to accurately analyse anisotropic shrinkage and thermal expansion. The resulting insights help engineers adjust mould 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 mould 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 mould constraints to accurately predict part deformations before production begins.
Unwarp automatically pre-corrects CAD geometry such that moulds 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 behaviour 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 includes technical support via email, phone, or chat, regular software updates, and access to training materials such as tutorials, webinars, and guides. It also offers cloud licensing for flexibility across devices and locations. Enterprise customers can benefit from additional onboarding, consultancy, and integration support.
Training is a thematic session booked for a fee. The SIMCON Academy is a curated e-learning path with modules, exercises, and knowledge checks. The Bootcamp is a four-hour online session for Cadmould beginners during the trial phase.
A basic understanding of injection molding and CAD is helpful. For advanced training modules, prior knowledge of fundamental Cadmould workflows is required.
The agenda covers three days: basics and result interpretation, shrinkage, warpage and thermals, and finally optimization, Varimos AI, elastomers, multi-component parts, and inserts.
In group trainings, this is not possible, as predefined demo parts are used. In exclusive on-site team trainings, customer parts may be included on request.
Training sessions and materials are usually available in German, English, and French. Other languages are possible on request or via local SIMCON partners.
Yes. A certificate of attendance is available on request after successful completion of a Cadmould Flex training session.
Yes. Content, examples, and data in company-exclusive training sessions can be fully tailored to a team’s parts and processes.
Confidential data is handled under NDA. Training sessions can also be conducted with anonymised or filtered datasets if required.
Prices depend on format, duration, number of participants, and level of customisation. Package prices and framework agreements are available.
Yes. The SIMCON Academy is designed for both self-study and as a complement to SIMCON training sessions.
The SIMCON Academy allows learners to study at their own pace, repeat content anytime, refresh knowledge, and access 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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