Creating Process Conditions

Use the Process Data tool to create process conditions for the model.

Note: Creating process conditions is an optional step, because mandatory boundary conditions (Inlet and Exit) are already created.

Creating the Exit Surfaces

Exits are where the material exits the domain. The model can have more than one exit surface, and should have at least one exit surface.

From the Polymers ribbon, Process Data tools, click the Exit tool.
Select the exit surface for each layer to create the exit boundary condition.

Creating the Wall Surfaces

Walls are used for specifying heat transfer condition.

From the Polymers ribbon, Process Data tools, click the Wall tool.
Select the surface to apply the wall boundary conditions.
Enter the values in the microdialog.

Creating the Free Surfaces

Specify heat transfer data on free surfaces exposed to ambient conditions.

From the Polymers ribbon, Process Data tools, click the Free Surface tool.
Select the profile surface to apply the free surface boundary conditions.
Enter the values in the microdialog.

Note: Check Apply on all free surfaces to apply the boundary condition to all of the free surfaces of the profile.

Selecting the Symmetry Surfaces

Symmetry is used for specifying the symmetry planes.

If your model has symmetry, from the Polymers ribbon, Process Data tools, click the Symmetry tool.
Select the Symmetry surfaces.

Selecting the Insert Part

If the extrusion has a metal insert, that condition is applied using insert parts. Inserts are modeled using BCs (the interface condition between insert and the polymer).

From the Polymers ribbon, Process Data tools, click the Insert tool.
Select the insert part.
In the microdialog, enter the process conditions.

Note: Inspire Extrude will adjust the length of the insert to match the length of the profile.

Adjusting Inlet Velocities to Achieve Uniform Exit Velocities

Polymer layers should have uniform exit velocities, which can be balanced by adjusting inlet velocities.

When extruding two or more polymers to create a coextruded part, the exit velocity and temperature conditions should be compatible. Exit velocities of all of the layers should be more or less the same. Temperatures of each layer need not be identical, as they have to be based on the material properties, but should coexist well. This tool will summarize the data to ensure it is compatible and will not affect the product quality and to help the user correct these issues if they arise.

From the Polymers ribbon, click the Process Data Summary icon on the Process Data tool.

The Summary of Process Data table is displayed.
Select the inlet velocity or temperature to adjust for each layer and enter a new value.

Note: The extrusion ratio is based on the area of the exit surface. Larger areas have greater throughput, and the exit velocities are greater. Adjusting the inlet velocity of a layer allows the user to bring its exit velocity in line with that of the other layers.

Note: A validation check warns the user if exit velocities differ by greater than 20%.