Silgan Containers uses state-of-the-art simulation software to increase speed-to-market by predicting can performance

Media Contacts:	Carolyn Takata Silgan Containers (818) 710-2420	Sophia Dilberakis SD Communications (312) 787-5800
	ctakata@silgancontainers.com	sophiad@att.net

Woodland Hills, Calif. (January 21, 2009) —The latest in realistic simulation software is enabling Silgan Containers to increase its speed-to-market and reduce tooling costs for many of its new metal can projects. The software enables Silgan to predict “real-life” performance of its cans with a high degree of accuracy before a single container is manufactured.

“Although modeling and simulation software techniques are not new, what we are seeing now is an evolution. These software packages can model very thin material with a high-degree of accuracy, which is key to predicting physical can performance,” explains Alvin Widitora, director of new product development, Silgan Containers.

Silgan is using Abaqus Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software from SIMULIA, the Dassault Systèmes brand for realistic simulation, to evaluate the physical behavior of its design concepts, as well as project how the container will “behave” after it is filled and distributed. As a result, Silgan is able to remove as much as three- to six-months from the design phase and thousands of dollars in tooling costs.

“We have validated our modeling and simulation process up to a 97% level of accuracy that the actual container will perform as predicted. That means that we can take a lot of the guesswork out before we get to the tooling stage. This not only saves time, but it also saves money. The end result is that we can help our customers get to market faster, with a container that has the right performance attributes for their product requirements,” Widitora says.

Each design is evaluated from a variety of mechanical performance aspects including axial load (stacking ability) and corresponding panel load (crush strength).
“As part of the process, we also have loaded a significant amount of past learning into our simulation models. As we get new data, we feed that back into the tool so that we are constantly improving the accuracy and predictability,” Widitora says.

The software is also used to optimize existing designs. Structures are evaluated for performance and cost improvement potential. Different base weights (metal thickness) and bead patterns are just two examples of what can be reviewed for optimization.

“Our customer feedback has been excellent. We have been able to save them time and money by steering them away from certain designs that would not have given them the necessary functionality for their product,” he says.

Abaqus FEA from SIMULIA provides robust simulation technology that enables manufactures to use structural analysis and multiphysics capabilities to evaluate the realistic physical behavior of product concepts. Design studies can be conducted during the early stages of the development process to determine the structural integrity of designs due to effects of varying geometric features, material properties and physical forces. By using realistic simulation technology, products can be optimized for weight, performance and cost. SIMULIA is headquartered in Providence, RI. For more info visit: www.simulia.com.

Silgan Containers, a subsidiary of Silgan Holdings, is the largest manufacturer of metal food containers in North America, with approximately half of the U.S. unit volume in 2007 and net sales of $1.68 billion. Silgan’s partnership approach, supported by quality, service, technology, low-cost producer position, strategically-located geographic locations and extensive consumer research, is the cornerstone of its strong customer relationships.

Silgan Containers manufactures and sells steel and aluminum containers and ends that are used primarily by processors and packagers for food products, such as soup, vegetables, fruit, meat, tomato based products, coffee, seafood, adult nutritional drinks, pet food and other miscellaneous food products. For more info visit: www.silgancontainers.com.

 

Please forward sales inquiries to:

Silgan Containers Corporation
21800 Oxnard St # 600
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Phone: (818) 348-3700
generalinfo@silgancontainers.com

Captions:

Contour: This shows the stress of a steel food can subjected to axial compression. This helps to analyze stacking in storage or during transportation.

Cross-section: A zoom-in view at a cross-section, showing the deflection of the body beads under compression.

Paneling: Buckling mode of a steel food can under exterior pressure. In addition to stacking load, exterior/interior pressure is another important factor to evaluate.

 

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