CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
7 December 2004
Implementation Investments
Procter & Gamble Licenses Virtual Package Simulation System Based on ABAQUS Analysis Software
The Procter & Gamble Company announced it has licensed its proprietary system for simulating plastic bottle packaging to Stress Engineering Services, Inc. (Mason, OH). The system, called Virtual Package Simulation, uses sophisticated software technology from ABAQUS, Inc. (Providence, R.I.), to automate the analysis of plastic bottles for structural performance.
The Virtual Package Simulation (VPS) system completely automates a set of simulations necessary to determine whether plastic bottle designs will perform as required. Advanced analysis technology such as meshing and modeling of load cases is built into the system, so that all designers have to do is submit bottle geometries and wait for quick results on predicted bottle performance.
Because Virtual Package Simulation allows more design evaluation in less time, it encourages innovation and ensures effective prototyping. Packaging engineers can try out a variety of designs in an inexpensive virtual environment before committing costs to physical prototypes.
"The VPS system embodies years of packaging research and development at P&G," says David Henning, manager of package analysis for Procter & Gamble. "From blow-molding optimization to structural loading, conveying, and sealing analysis, it captures our considerable expertise in the design and manufacture of plastic bottles. Through our VPS licensing agreement with Stress Engineering, this valuable P&G intellectual capital is now available to packaging engineers all over the world."
"Virtual Package Simulation joins our spectrum of services at a significant moment," says David Tekamp, principal, Stress Engineering Services, Inc. "Market deadlines for packaging design have never been tighter, and today's consumer expects packaging to be both functional and sophisticated. Companies are serious about reducing the extra cost and time associated with physically prototyping and testing bottle designs for structural performance. The VPS system, which has been proven through multiple product cycles at P&G, offers our clients high-level, affordable simulation on a fast turnaround."
Virtual Package Simulation features four modules for use in designing plastic bottles:
• The Virtual Race Track simulates how the package will perform on a standard packing line conveyor. Understanding the stability of bottles during conveying helps designers avoid costly production problems.
• The Structures module simulates how the package will perform under standard loading conditions such as filling and shipping. Specially customized and automated finite element analysis routines help designers identify areas of bottles that can be lighter where possible and stronger where needed.
• The BOWS (Bottle Optimal Weight System) module optimizes HDPE plastic usage for extrusion blow-molding while making sure the bottle meets loading specifications.
• The Autoseal module improves closure designs by automatic analysis of sealing performance.
"P&G is a noteworthy pioneer in the use of finite element analysis technology for design engineers," says Ken Short, vice-president of marketing for ABAQUS, Inc. "Virtual Package Simulation is a particularly innovative application of FEA process automation using ABAQUS software. The system allows proven workflows developed by P&G's expert analysts to be deployed to bottle designers via an easy-to-use interface. Companies that utilize the VPS system will enjoy real benefits in both cost and design time."
Stress Engineering Services (SES) is a leader in providing engineering services to a wide variety of industries including consumer products, chemical, gas and oil, paper, pharmaceutical, and medical devices. Technical services offered by SES include package and device development, analysis of designs, failure analysis, fitness for service, material selection and evaluation, custom product testing and instrumentation, and cost and financial modeling. ( http://www.stress.com and http://www.sespackaging.com )
Become a member of the CIMdata PLM Community to receive your daily PLM news and much more.
Tell us what you think of the CIMdata Newsletter. Send your feedback.
CIMdata is committed to your privacy. Your personal information will never be sold or shared outside of CIMdata without your express permission.