{"id":3975,"date":"2019-02-19T00:42:19","date_gmt":"2019-02-19T05:42:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.plm.automation.siemens.com\/t5\/Simcenter-Blog\/The-missing-tool-in-polymer-extrusion-One-word-Simulation\/ba-p\/569286"},"modified":"2026-03-26T06:20:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T10:20:33","slug":"the-missing-tool-in-polymer-extrusion-one-word-simulation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/simcenter\/the-missing-tool-in-polymer-extrusion-one-word-simulation\/","title":{"rendered":"The missing tool in polymer extrusion? One word: Simulation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cOne word: plastics\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In the 1967 film \u2018The Graduate\u2019, the young protagonist Benjamin is given this careers advice by a neighbor. The film can be seen as a satire on 1960\u2019s middle America, with a career in plastics representing a safe, staid option. This may have been the case then, but no one can deny the importance of plastics in every aspect of our lives now. Plastics, rubber and other polymers are essential to the manufacture of modern products, from everyday essentials to innovative new technologies. I would argue that \u201cPlastics\u201d is now a career in an exciting and expanding field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Extrusion, polymer die casting and polymer film casting are common industrial processes. You could consider them to be an early form of additive manufacturing: building a 3D object from layers of material. But working with polymers and plastics is challenging, due to the complex chemistry and physics of the fluids. Polymer extrusion can be expensive, both in its use of raw materials and the energy involved. If you don’t use the correct die design, the extruded product will be the wrong shape. In today\u2019s competitive market, mistakes like this cannot happen. Companies need to ensure their production processes are as efficient and robust as possible, while also bringing new products to market in shorter time frames.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One word: Simulation<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If I were advising Benjamin today I would use a different quote: \u201cOne word: simulation\u201d. \u00a0But there is no satire here. To me, “Simulation” opens up a range of possibilities, many of which are currently underused in the plastics industry. I suspect that Benjamin (and possibly you) would be unaware of the benefits that CFD simulation<\/a> can bring. Simulation gives greater understanding into extrusion and casting, and helps to reduce the raw materials and energy required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This on-demand webinar<\/a> gives more details. Learn about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n