SUCCESSFUL MOLDING OPERATIONS BECOME A MATTER OF ROUTINE, WHEN THE PART DESIGN FUNCTION IS PROPERLY INTEGRATED WITH TOOL DESIGN AND MOLDING OPERATIONS. SUCH A COORDINATED APPROACH IS ESSENTIAL TO ASSURE THE PRODUCTION OF PARTS THAT MEET BOTH FUNCTIONALITY AS WELL AS MANUFACTURABILITY REQUIREMENTS. THE EFFECTIVE APPLICATION OF PROCESS SIMULATION SOFTWARE, CAD, AND STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS IS NEEDED TO MEET THE COMPLETE CHALLENGE TO OPTIMIZE BOTH THE PART AND THE PROCESS. THE RELEVANT SOFTWARE IS AVAILABLE ON PERSONAL COMPUTERS AND CAN BE JUSTIFIED FOR MOLDING OPERATIONS OF ANY SIZE.