NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI, USA, Sep 22, 2023 – Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division announced the release of HxGN Mold & Die, a suite of dedicated CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and manufacturing), engineering, and automation tools empowering mold and die and tool manufacturers to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and produce high quality tools for their customers across industries ranging from automotive to aerospace and beyond. The suite was developed to empower mold designers and makers to achieve operational excellence in the design and manufacturing of plastic injection molds, progressive dies, forming dies, and similar tools.
Capabilities of the suite include CAD/CAE (computer-aided design and engineering) for plastic injection mold design, CAD/CAE for progressive die design, CAD for manufacturing preparation, CAM for CNC (computer numerical code) machine-tool programming, process simulation and G-code verification and optimization, shop-floor production intelligence, and automation and collaboration powered by Nexus, Hexagon’s digital-reality platform. The suite’s simulation tools help manufacturers understand the feasibility and cost of mold-making processes with actionable information.
“We took everything we know about mold-and-die manufacturing, including our best-in-class Hexagon technologies, to build a specialized suite that empowers mold and die shops of any size to get the best results faster,” said Chuck Mathews, general manager, production software at Hexagon. “Their competitive edge will be enhanced Nexus, which connects desktop software via the cloud to provide further automation and collaboration opportunities. It also gives teams an easy way to share 3D models with customers through secure web-based visualization, and consolidate access to libraries for tooling, fixtures, and materials from their desktop apps.”
“The HxGN Mold and Die suite is an exciting development, combining our customers’ challenges with our deep domain knowledge to achieve more. We are refocusing innovation to bring our ecosystem technologies together and help production teams make better informed decisions, faster,” added Parth Joshi, chief product & technology officer at Hexagon.
For plastic-injection mold manufacturers, the suite provides tools for design and engineering, flow simulation, reverse engineering, automated electrode design, and CNC machining. It builds upon Hexagon’s market-leading VISI and WORKNC software, providing comprehensive multi-axis CAM programming capabilities, direct modelling of solids and surfaces, and supports the construction, editing, and repair of complex 3D geometry. Reverse engineering tools allow mold makers to efficiently create solid models from scanned data — a crucial capability for mold repair and redesign, and for creating solid models for manufacturing when CAD files are not available.
The suite also provides plastic flow analysis tools that help shop-floor teams produce cost effective and reliable molds that will perform as required. These powerful simulation capabilities are simple to use, which ensures that non-engineers or less experienced employees achieve optimal results. The creation of intricate or difficult-to-machine injection mold features is further simplified with the automated design and simulation of EDM (electrical discharge machining) electrodes and their associated holders.
For progressive die manufacturers, HxGN Mold and Die offers a connected workflow with tools for design and engineering, simulation, and production. It enables the step-by-step unfolding of surface and solid models, which gives designers more control over the development of each forming stage. Flexible strip layout capabilities and the ability to simulate the performance of the strip at any stage in the design process make it easy to quickly analyze the results of design changes. The software also helps manufacturers predict springback and offers compensation strategies when challenges with material performance are identified.
The suite supports shops in fully utilizing advanced machine tools, using trusted Hexagon VISI and WORKNC software to help programmers optimize machining cycles and specialized cutting strategies specific to mold production. Prior to machining, CNC programs can be simulated and verified using NCSIMUL, the suite’s G-code simulation software, which incorporates the entire machining environment to generate an effective digital twin of the machinery, part, and processes.
For more information, please visit hexagon.com/solutions/mould-die-design-manufacturing, or contact your local Hexagon office.
About Hexagon
Hexagon is a global leader in digital reality solutions, combining sensor, software and autonomous technologies. We are putting data to work to boost efficiency, productivity, quality and safety across industrial, manufacturing, infrastructure, public sector, and mobility applications.
Our technologies are shaping production and people related ecosystems to become increasingly connected and autonomous – ensuring a scalable, sustainable future.
Hexagon (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B) has approximately 24,000 employees in 50 countries and net sales of approximately 5.2bn EUR. Learn more at hexagon.com and follow us @HexagonAB.
