Realistic Simulation of Injection Molding Processes: SIGMASOFT at the IZB
Aachen, September 2026 – This year, SIGMA Engineering will be presenting at the International Suppliers Fair (IZB) in Wolfsburg for the first time. From October 27 to 29, 2026, the company will show at booth 2-2505 how SIGMASOFT® Virtual Molding can be used to virtually map the entire injection molding process and optimize it as early as the development phase. The spotlight will be on the newly released Version 6.2 of the simulation software.
In automotive development, mechanical simulations of components and assemblies have long been established – from the design of individual parts to crash behavior simulation. Detailed simulation of the manufacturing process, however, is far less widespread. Yet many of a component's properties are already determined during injection molding and can significantly influence its later quality and performance. Examples of this include the distribution and orientation of glass fibers, or the location of weld lines or voids/sink marks.
This is where SIGMASOFT® Virtual Molding comes in: the software realistically maps the entire injection molding process for thermoplastics, elastomers, and thermosets through to MIM/CIM. It considers not just the part geometry, but the complete mold including all relevant details. This makes it possible to identify hotspots, weld lines, air traps, and other potential weak points before production even begins, so they can be specifically avoided.
Another advantage: the finished, demolded, and cooled component – including shrinkage and warpage – can also be exported for further simulations. This provides realistic geometry data for downstream mechanical analyses, for example. As a result, development processes can be safeguarded early on, mold corrections reduced, and time and cost planning made more reliable.
"Being part of the IZB is an exciting step for us. We're looking forward to showing, visitors who don't know us yet, the savings potential that lies in their own development and manufacturing," says Thomas Klein, Managing Director of SIGMA. "But also personally saying hello to many of our customers who will be exhibiting there at the same time."
