Domains

A domain represents a volume in space through which you simulate a heat or fluid flow.

You can create domains in two ways:
  1. By defining a domain type on real geometry represented as a solid body.
  2. By creating a simulation-only domain inside SOLIDWORKS Plastics. Examples of such domains are runners, cooling channels, and molds.

When you create a new Plastics study, the Domains node appears at the top of the PlasticsManager tree .

Domain Types Based on Solid Bodies

When one solid body exists in the model and you create the study with the solid analysis procedure, the software assigns the cavity domain to the body. If multiple solid bodies exist in the model, the software does not assign the domain types. To assign a domain type to a solid body, under the Domains node , right-click the body and assign the appropriate type.

For the analysis to proceed, you must assign a domain type to each body or exclude from the analysis the bodies without a domain type. With the shell analysis procedure, the only supported domain type for a solid body is cavity.

Geometry-Based Domain Types
Cavity A void corresponding to the mold cavity into which you inject molten polymer to create the molded part. A simulation must include at least one cavity.

These injection processes allow only one cavity: Bi-injection, Co-injection, Gas-assist, and Water-assist.
Runner A component of the channel system through which the molten polymer flows from the injector nozzle. The runner domain also encompasses the sprue and the gate. You can have multiple runner domains. The runner domain is not available with the shell analysis procedure.
The Runner domain is available with SOLIDWORKS Plastics Professional and SOLIDWORKS Plastics Premium.
Insert A solid body that is placed inside a mold cavity before you inject the molten polymer. You can have multiple insert domains. The insert domain is not available with the shell analysis procedure.
The Insert domain is available with SOLIDWORKS Plastics Professional and SOLIDWORKS Plastics Premium.
Cooling Channel A component of the channel system through which coolant flows to remove heat from the mold and maintain the required temperature. You can have multiple cooling channel domains. The cooling channel domain is not available with the shell analysis procedure.
The Cooling Channel domain is available with SOLIDWORKS Plastics Premium.
Mold A representation of the mold. A mold may be idealized as a single domain. You can create multiple mold domains from separate bodies that represent individual mold components. The mold domain is not available with the shell analysis procedure.
The Mold domain is available with SOLIDWORKS Plastics Premium.
To exclude a domain from the analysis, under Domains , right-click the selected domain node, and click Exclude from Analysis. To include an excluded domain back in the analysis, right-click the excluded domain node, and click Include in Analysis.

Simulation-Only Domain Types

Right-click the Domains node to access the appropriate PropertyManager to create simulation-only domains corresponding to cooling channels, runner systems, or virtual molds. The software creates these domains for the purpose of simulation only, and it does not add new geometry bodies to the model.
These simulation-only domain types are available for both shell and solid procedures.
Cooling Channel Opens the Cooling Channel PropertyManager.
The Cooling Channel domain is available with SOLIDWORKS Plastics Premium.
Runner System Opens the Runner System PropertyManager.
TheChannel Design > Runner System domain is available with SOLIDWORKS Plastics Professional and SOLIDWORKS Plastics Premium.
Virtual Mold Design Opens the Virtual Mold Design PropertyManager.
The Virtual Mold Design domain is available with SOLIDWORKS Plastics Premium.

Domain Order

Domain order is an integer number that defines the filling sequence, and determines the number of allowable material assignments. By default, the software assigns the domain order of one to all domains. If the Domains node contains multiple domains of the same domain type, you must specify the order number to be greater than one.
Use a domain order greater than one for these actions:
  • To specify multiple materials for the domains of the same type such as for multi-material overmolding.
  • To specify the sequence of fill.
To change a domain order, right-click one of the domain nodes that share a common type, and select the required order. You cannot change the domain order for single-material injection processes.