BASF Develops ULTRASIM Analysis Tool

BASF Develops ULTRASIM Analysis Tool

Plastics Business

ULTRASIM® performance prediction technology from BASF, Wyandotte, Michigan, delivers 90-95 percent accuracy when predicting the performance of parts molded using BASF materials.

A common misconception regarding fiber reinforced plastics is that the material’s performance cannot be predicted like steel or aluminum. Using highly sophisticated material characterization methods and analysis techniques, designers and engineers can account for the influence of the injection molding process of a thermoplastic and study structural performance for static loads, structural performance for impact (crash) loads, vibration and acoustic response and fatigue and creep performance.

BASF recently used ULTRASIM technology in collaboration with Bemis Manufacturing Company, a global plastic products manufacturer, to develop a first-of-its-kind shopping cart design that’s redefining the shopping experience for both retailers and customers. The all-plastic design delivers strength and durability two times that of traditional steel models with less frequent wheel repairs and maintenance. The shopping cart also is 100-percent recyclable, reducing landfill waste.

For more information, visit performance-materials.basf.us/ultrasim.