SIMCON International

Perhaps the best way to explain this helpful feature is by invoking a spell: Piertotum Locomotor! In Hogwarts, this incantation brings statues to life. In 𝗖𝗔𝗗𝗠𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗪𝗶𝘇𝗮𝗿𝗱 brings technical results to motion. Instead of static images, flow fronts, packing pressure, and other injection moulding results are integrated into reports as animations. The Report Wizard also helps you 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁, allowing you to quickly summarize key insights and findings from the simulation and export them directly to PowerPoint for your next team meeting. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹: The Report Wizard in CADMOULD simplifies report creation and ensures a clear and visually appealing presentation of technical results. What’s more, reports are generated faster, are easily reproducible, and can be customized to match your corporate design. 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀: Less effort, fewer sources of error – and efficient, flexible report generation in CADMOULD, fully tailored to your corporate design. 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. #ProcessOptimization #FutureOfEngineering #SaveTimeReduceErrors #SIMCON #Simultion #SimulationSoftware #CADMOULD #Animation

Thank you, Sirpa Pietikäinen, for these clear and ambitious words! Your statement captures exactly what matters: The issue is not plastic as a material itself but how we use it. The key is to use it more intelligently and sustainably. This is where our work comes in. Making plastics more environmentally friendly is a complex challenge. Production, usage, and recycling must be aligned so that resources are used efficiently, waste is minimized, and emissions are reduced. The right technology plays a crucial role in this transformation. That’s why, in 2025, we’re releasing CADMOULD 18.1 with new features to facilitate CO₂ reduction: ✅ 𝗖𝗢₂ 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:  Shows how different process settings impact the carbon footprint—an essential step toward making informed decisions for more sustainable designs. ✅ 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝗟𝗖𝗔):  Analyzes the environmental impact of a component throughout its entire life cycle—from material selection to production and end-of-life. What’s more, we’re not stopping there. Together with our partners GreenDelta GmbH, Fraunhofer WKI, IfBB - Institut für Biokunststoffe und Bioverbundwerkstoffe, and bekuplast GmbH, we’ve shown through LCA4SIM that life cycle assessments can be seamlessly integrated into simulation processes. This project was a key milestone in advancing sustainable plastic production—but it was just the beginning. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝘀? The industry is changing. The pressure to produce more sustainably is increasing all the time—whether due to new regulations, rising raw material costs, or a growing sense of corporate social responsibility. But change doesn’t happen of its own accord. It requires concrete tools, strategies, and open dialogue among all stakeholders. That’s why we continue to drive new technologies and ideas to help companies use resources more efficiently and reduce emissions right from the development phase. 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁? The ReShaping Plastics report by Systemiq Ltd. offers fascinating perspectives on the transformation of the plastics industry: A must-read for anyone working on CO₂ reduction and circular economy solutions in plastics. We believe firmly that the future is circular—and we want to help shape it. *Source: SYSTEMIQ (2022). ReShaping Plastics: Pathways to a Circular, Climate Neutral Plastics System in Europe. Executive Summary, p. 7. #SustainablePlastics #Simulation #CO2Reduction #PlasticsIndustry #CircularEconomy #SIMCON #Statement

Precision or speed? CADMOULD 18.0.2 gives you the choice. After releasing several new features with CADMOULD 18.0, the latest patch focuses primarily on optimization and bug fixing. 🔹 Faster calculations – when you need them most CADMOULD 18.0 introduced the more accurate but more computationally intensive calculation of the temperature distribution at constant wall temperature. In CADMOULD 18.0.2 you can now decide for yourself: Highest precision or faster calculations? The constant wall temperature function is optional and disabled by default - so you can save time when speed is what matters most. 🔹 Work without interruptions – improved software stability Nothing disrupts your workflow more than unexpected software issues. That’s why, in CADMOULD 18.0.2, we focused on stability and reliability: ✅We resolved the issue of CADMOULD occasionally crashing when selecting specific nozzles from the hot runner database. ✅ Improved visualization: The cooling system now always displays correctly in the CADMOULD Viewer. ✅ Server-client calculation: If insufficient memory is available, you now receive a clear warning instead of an unexpected crash. 🔹 More clarity, less manual rework ✅ Easier interpretation of results: Gate-related diagrams now include connection lines again, making data correlation easier. ✅ Faster report generation: In the report wizard, handling with Windows scaling has been optimized so that all symbols are displayed correctly - regardless of the monitor settings. ✅ More stable POIs (Points of Interest): POIs now remain in place, even after activating the 3-click transformation tool. The result of 18.0.2? A seamless CADMOULD experience, less manual adjustment, and simulations you can rely on. Get set! CADMOULD 18.0.2 is scheduled for release in the next few weeks. The complete changelog will be made available to users with the delivery of the new version. Book a call with our simulation experts to learn how these latest improvements can optimize your workflows and enhance your precision. #CADMOULD #InjectionMoulding #SoftwareUpdate #Innovation #SIMCON #Plastics #PlasticsEngineering

The first trade show of the year is already behind us – and what a fantastic start! At MD&M Trade Shows in Anaheim, we enjoyed great conversations, made valuable new contacts, and were reminded once again that nothing is quite like meeting face-to-face. Missed us in Anaheim? No worries! There are plenty of opportunities to connect with us in person throughout 2025. Here’s where you can find us next: International trade shows: ✨ KOPLAS (March 11-14, 2025, Seoul): Korea’s premier plastics industry trade fair – a must for anyone interested in injection moulding innovations. ✨Feira Plástico Brasil (March 24-28, 2025, São Paulo): Brazil’s major annual plastics processing event and a hub of knowledge sharing for the Latin American market. Trade shows in Germany: 🇩🇪 TT Hein (March 13, 2025, Langenhagen): A gathering of industry experts focused on innovative tooling technology. A great opportunity to exchange ideas on the latest developments in mould-making. 🇩🇪 Moulding Expo (May 6-9, 2025, Stuttgart): The go-to trade show for tool, model, and mould making – a must-attend for industry professionals. 🇩🇪 KUTENO (May 13-15, 2025, Bad Salzuflen): An intimate, practice-oriented plastics trade show tailored for the North German market. SIMCON’s presence will focus on practical solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises. 🇩🇪 Engelskirchener Kunststoff-Technologie-Tage (June 26-27, 2025, Langenhagen): A top meeting place for injection moulding experts. Here, too, SIMCON’s areas of focus will include practical solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises. 🇩🇪 K – The World's No.1 Trade Fair for Plastics and Rubber (October 8-15, 2025, Düsseldorf): The world’s largest trade show for plastics and rubber, held every three years, and an opportunity for SIMCON to present its innovative solutions for sustainable and efficient injection moulding processes. As the last fixture in our 2025 trade show calendar, it’s a key opportunity to connect with our international partners and customers. Interested? Head to one of these events in 2025 to talk to us about all things plastics processing. We look forward to connecting with you in person! #K2025 #MouldingExpo #KUTENO #PlasticoBrasil #KOPLAS2025 #InjectionMoulding #SIMCON

☀️ Final Call from Anaheim 🌴 It’s the last day of MD&M Trade Shows Anaheim, and while the weather outside is mixed, the energy is electric inside the convention center. Conversations are buzzing around automation, AI-driven process control, and the growing role of sustainable materials in medical manufacturing. If you haven’t visited yet, this is your last opportunity to engage with the future of injection molding and plastics technology. Over the past days, a few key themes have dominated discussions: — 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗔𝗜-𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 – From real-time process monitoring to robotics-driven quality control, the shift toward smart manufacturing is accelerating. Mold shops are no longer just about craftsmanship; they’re becoming hubs of digital intelligence. — 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲 – Bioplastics, recyclable materials, and energy-efficient processes are now at the core of industry transformation. Regulatory requirements and market expectations are pushing medtech manufacturers to rethink materials and production. — 𝟯𝗗 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘀 – Prototyping has never been faster, and with virtual simulations, manufacturers can predict failures before they happen, reducing risks and time to market. At SIMCON Booth #4390, we’ve had incredible discussions on how AI and simulation-driven insights are optimizing injection molding workflows. The goal? Smarter decisions, lower scrap rates, and more efficient med-tech production. If you’re still around, let’s talk about how data-driven manufacturing is shaping the future. What trends or innovations have stood out to you at MD&M Anaheim? Drop your thoughts below! ⬇️ #CADMOULD #VARIMOS #InjectionMolding #PlasticsTechnology #MedicalDevices #Automation #Sustainability #3DPrinting #AIinManufacturing #DigitalTwins #SmartManufacturing #MedTech

While a shrinking workforce often makes the headline, it’s only part of the story of the manufacturing skills gap. Technological advancements like AI and automation mean that job requirements are now changing faster than ever. Once, manufacturing roles required primarily hands-on expertise; now, as machines take over repetitive tasks, advanced technical skills are required to operate their ecosystems. The existing workforce lacks skills in key areas such as data analytics. Upskilling resources are urgently needed to align workforce capabilities with the modern manufacturing environment. Virtual training is part of the solution. By providing accessible, inclusive and cost-effective learning opportunities, it serves as a powerful tool for bridging the skills gap. Modern technologies such as VR (virtual reality) empower workers to acquire skills through technology itself, offering opportunities for customizable, immersive and hands-on learning in a controlled setting without real-world risks. Platforms like CADMOULD serve as a case study for the potential of virtual training. By making it possible to simulate injection moulding processes and troubleshoot virtually, CADMOULD enables the same skills to be taught in the virtual domain. As a result, learning curves are accelerated, including for new colleagues acquiring essential skills. With this in mind, SIMCON offers a range of virtual training options for plastic injection moulders seeking to efficiently upskill themselves and remain competitive in an evolving market. The SIMCON Online Academy is an interactive e-learning platform for CADMOULD and VARIMOS that enables learners to work anytime, anywhere. Students ‘learn by doing’, operating virtual versions of CADMOULD and VARIMOS to get to grips with meshing, filling, packing, cooling, shrinkage and warpage (CADMOULD) and with automated variant analysis functions that can drastically cut time to market (VARIMOS). The Online Academy makes it possible to train new colleagues quickly or upskill existing employees in the use of advanced modules. Those starting out with SIMCON’s applications can join our bootcamps: virtual one-day sessions that bring learners up to speed with plastic injection moulding simulation in CADMOULD or with automation, variant analysis and optimization in VARIMOS. Engineers are empowered to hit the ground running with best practice methods and bypass the familiar ‘learning by failing’ phase. SIMCON’s flexible virtual training opportunities are designed to serve not merely as a productivity booster but a way to future-proof manufacturing businesses against growing skills gaps. Join our next Bootcamp on February 18 to start upskilling your business for simulation and digitization in plastic injection moulding: https://hubs.li/Q035y25N0 #VirtualTraining #Simcon #Cadmould #PlasticInjectionMoulding

🚀 Day Two at MD&M Anaheim is in Full Swing! We’re thrilled to be part of the action at MD&M Trade Shows at the Anaheim Convention Center—where innovation in manufacturing takes center stage. 🏭✨ Shawn DuBravac, PhD, CFA, renowned futurist and author, kicked off the morning with an inspiring keynote on “AI and the Future of Manufacturing”, highlighting how AI is transforming efficiency, scaling workforces, and delivering customized solutions to meet today’s demands. At our booth, we demonstrate this vision through advanced solutions for injection molding simulation and AI-powered optimization. Streamline mold design with fast, accurate simulations, cutting time-to-market and revision cycles. Our CADMOULD simulation software and AI assistant VARIMOS analyze multiple design and process scenarios simultaneously to find the most efficient, cost-effective parameters. Reduce trial-and-error, speed up decisions, and achieve better product quality while lowering production costs. AI isn’t a buzzword—it’s the secret to solving today’s manufacturing challenges. That’s why we’re excited to chat with you about how simulation and AI can make your operations smarter, faster, and more sustainable. ✅ Stop by Booth #4390 to explore how we combine AI innovation with manufacturing precision to pave the way for the future of injection molding. See you on the floor! 👋 #CADMOULD #VARIMOS #Simulation #ManufacturingInnovation #InjectionMolding #AI #DOE

Simulation, a trusted tool for manufacturers, has been revolutionised by advanced technologies, enabling greater productivity, quality and innovation. In our latest series, we take a deep dive into simulation 2.0, how it’s bridging the global gap in skilled labour and why manufacturers should use it. 🔎The role of smart technologies Previously, we’ve covered automation, AI, and machine learning. In addition, simulation has undergone a significant transformation, partly thanks to these cutting-edge technologies. Modern supercomputers allow simulations to run faster and handle more complex systems, including vast datasets, to improve accuracy. At the same time, machine learning enables fast analysis and data-driven insights, making simulations less computationally costly and labour-intensive. Unsurprisingly, simulation is now widely used across industries such as automotive, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, climate and environmental science. Here are a few examples: 🚘Automotive Aerodynamic testing - Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) allows engineers to simulate physical vehicles and run virtual wind tunnel tests, saving costs, enhancing performance, and reducing labour. Material optimisation - Simulation supports material science, allowing manufacturers to develop lighter, more fuel-efficient, sustainable vehicles using engineered plastics instead of metals. The optimised part design also helps streamline production processes, reducing workforce costs. 🚀Aerospace and defense Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technology enhance flight simulation, giving fighter pilots a more interactive experience closer to real-life combat. It also increases their safety and reduces the loss of costly equipment. 🏭Manufacturing In the plastics industry, advanced simulation allows manufacturers to troubleshoot, design and optimise parts and processes before production. SIMCON’s simulation software CADMOULD and the AI assistant VARIMOS let engineers conduct multiple simulations quickly and accurately to optimise mould and part design. The AI-powered tool gives significantly faster results with less human effort while guaranteeing reliable planning in mould designs and process parameters. ⛑️Future-proofing with simulation As Internet 4.0 technologies such as IoT, blockchain, and AI converge, they will further revolutionise simulation technology, increasing its importance in personal and professional life. Simulation lets companies innovate for the future while maintaining their agility, productivity and quality, even with fewer skilled workers. Against a shrinking workforce, rapidly changing technology, and customer demands, advanced simulation is a cost-effective strategy that companies should adopt to future-proof their operations. What are your experiences or insights with using simulation in manufacturing? We’d love to have your comments. #SIMCON #simulation #software #CADMOULD #AI

In 2025 and beyond, manufacturers must turn their innovative might to their most formidable challenge yet: producing better-quality products more efficiently than ever while grappling with a global skills gap. Can it be done? The current situation is complex and multifaceted. As an ageing workforce retires without replacement, they take decades’ worth of skills with them. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted an exodus of its own, with workers leaving the sector for remote or flexible roles. Competing sectors like logistics attract talent through high wages. For manufacturers, the answer to this malady comes in the form of smart technologies, which not only bridge the shortage but help existing employees make best use of their vital skills. In this brave new world, data-driven decisions – facilitated by smart sensors in combination with real-time data analytics – are a key tool in the manufacturer’s arsenal. When temperature, vibration, proximity, flow, pressure, optical and other types of sensors are applied to machines, they turn these machines into smart, connected devices that generate data and are seamlessly connected throughout a plant. Then, real-time data analytics tools instantly collect, process, and analyze this sensor data, helping engineers make on-the-fly decisions based on live production conditions rather than historical ones. This combination of smart sensors and real-time analytics empowers managers and engineers in virtually all areas of their work. By predicting equipment failure and triggering maintenance protocols, it simplifies the transition from scheduled to predictive maintenance. It helps engineers adjust variables such as speed, temperature and material usage to optimize processes and fine-tune resource allocation. It identifies defects in products during production, vastly reducing waste and rework. It reduces the regulatory compliance burden by automatically logging and aggregating data for historical records. And by tracking quality-relevant anomalies in real time, it reduces reliance on skilled labor for repetitive monitoring tasks. SIMCON’s early adoption of a robustly data-driven approach stands as a testament to the power of data in manufacturing. Thanks to the three decades of real data on which CADMOULD, VARIMOS and VARIMOS Real are built, engineers are able to obtain highly realistic assumptions and optimal results when simulating and carrying out DoE for injection moulding. Now, the manufacturing sector must embrace data in a similar way. Data-driven insights help companies remain agile, responsive and flexible. What’s more, they empower existing workers to do more with their skills, enabling businesses to overcome labor challenges while maintaining and enhancing their quality, productivity, sustainability and competitiveness. #SkillsGap #SkilledLaborShortages #manufacturing #SmartSensors #DataDrivenDecisions #RealTimeAnalytics #InjectionMoulding #simcon

As AI and machine learning technologies continue to evolve, they’re becoming indispensable tools in today's workforce. Their growing presence in the manufacturing industry is paving the way for innovative solutions to enhance efficiency and productivity. Simultaneously, changing employee expectations, dramatic technological advancements, and shifting employment rates are among several factors contributing to skilled labour shortages worldwide. Although these major technological leaps are reshaping the way we work, they’re also the very tools we need to shorten the learning curve. In fact, AI and machine learning are already being implemented to help bridge skill gaps with a wide range of manufacturing applications, from automation and predictive maintenance to quality control and real time analytics. Long before AI existed, people feared its potential to replace human workers. Now that it’s here, we see how it can instead enable us to do more than ever before. By gathering and analysing vast quantities of data, AI can offer predictive insights that support better decision-making. It can automate repetitive processes, or tackle those that require new or highly specialised knowledge. This frees up employees to focus on higher-value activities, while empowering them to complete tasks that were once out of reach. Tools like SIMCON’s VARIMOS and VARIMOS Real show how this can be applied in practice. VARIMOS's automations enable plastic injection moulding engineers to efficiently generate and simulate many design variants and then analyse them using AI. For machine setters, VARIMOS Real similarly enables the automatic creation, execution, and structured evaluation of test plans, minimising the number of trials while still determining the optimal settings. These tools not only save time by automating repetitive tasks, but they also provide greater planning certainty. This allows less experienced professionals to handle more complex projects early on. This ability to simulate and test countless variables is one way that AI and machine learning can be leveraged to enhance productivity and overall quality. Using data from integrated sensors and software, smart technology can also enable predictive maintenance and identify signs of equipment failure as soon as they arise. This means proactive repairs, targeted maintenance, and less downtime. Likewise, AI can identify manufacturing and production defects almost instantaneously, avoiding wasted resources – human or otherwise – while ensuring consistent product quality. It’s clear that smart technology makes manufacturers more agile and better able to respond to these quickly changing demands. These capabilities not only support daily production, but also future-proof manufacturers against an ever-changing marketplace. Let us know your insights and experiences in the comments below!