Training the micro-technicians of tomorrow

Located near Paris, the higher education department of the Joliot Curie High School offers graduates a two-year CIM (Conception and Industrialisation in Microtechniques) BTS (Brevet de Technicien Supérieur) technical degree.

The high school is equipped with a number of different CAD systems and in 2008 began to look for a software solution that would simulate the plastic injection process and best suit the requirements of the teaching teams.

Rémy Hoorelbeck, rheology professor at Joliot Curie explains, "the study of flow of matter holds an important place in the preparation for this degree. Our first reaction was to look at the equipment used by some of the other CIM BTS. However, the solutions held by our colleagues did not go deep enough and report the exact injection process constraints within the industrial sector such as thermal conductivity and the effect of cooling".

It was during a visit to the Micronora show in September 2008 that the teaching staff were first demonstrated the advantages of VISI Flow. Rémy Hoorelbeck continues, "with the education version of VISI Flow, we quickly realised we could accurately predict the plastic flow front based on real machine parameters and put our students in the same situation as the plastic processing industry professionals".

A realistic educational process
The apprentices begin by modelling a part in 3D and exporting the data to VISI. This model is prepared for simulation and a filling analysis is performed using VISI Flow to verify the manufacturability of the part using the material of choice. Using VISI Flow, the initial stages of the tool design are also validated by running an analysis of the gating position and the cooling circuit.

The objective is to provide the students with knowledge of the machine parameters, a detailed understanding of variables such as pressure and temperature and how software can be used to detect possible defects such as air traps and weld lines.

The technical department at Joliot Curie is equipped with 15 education licenses of VISI allowing each student to use their own workstation (typically 10 - 12 apprentices a year). All instructors have been trained on how to use VISI Flow and the software is now part of the general education process.

Daniel Millot, workshop manager at Joliot Curie explains the relationship with the high school and Vero France. "The collaboration between the teacher and software supplier is vital for the successful integration of industrial software in an educational environment. Importantly, it is necessary to build educational strategies around the product so that the theoretical techniques become practical knowledge".

"We are very happy with the relationship with the Vero support team", concludes Daniel Millot. "The answers to our requests are prompt and serious, as if we were an industrial customer. We choose to offer our students tools that prepare them for the realities of professional life and VISI Flow fits perfectly in this objective".

Back...