Design System for Blow Moulded Products
Abstract In recent years the spectrum of applications for thermoplastics has experienced constant growth. They do not only exhibit good specific materials properties and lend themselves to costeffective processing, but it is also possible to manufacture products of great complexity. Numerous possibilities for structural configuration are thus presented, enabling product material and form to be adapted to specific requirements. Computer-aided simulation techniques are among the tools utilized in developing optimal components or products. This led to a design system which can accelerate the entire development process of a product or component. It starts from the idea and results in the production stage making use of multidisciplinary combination of C-technologies, structural analysis procedures, material data bases, production, inspection and testing. The propagated concept is significantly furthered by the rapid development in the areas of hardware and software. A comparison of a traditional development process with the development process utilizing the design system illustrates the possibilities which exist to exploit simulation thechniques in every stage of product development in order to enhance quality and reduce costs.