Virtual microwave oven
When it comes to difficult packages, nothing can
beat developing a packaging for microwave oven products. Confronted with so many
knowledge aspects, how does one go about integrating them all?
EC-Pack has developed a computer model that shows the warming-up process in the microwave oven. In addition, the model can be used as a tool to enable salesmen, scientists and designers to work together. - updated on 6 June 2002
Temperature distribution for a hexagonal
packaging filled with mashed potatoes.
The virtual microwave oven brings together the processes of design and
testing. Promising packaging concepts can be quickly tested at the design stage.
With the form of the packaging intepreted 3-dimensionally by design software,
the properties of the foodstuffs are then entered into the computer model. The
model will calculate in a matter of minutes (duration varies depending on the
complexity of the packaging) how a foodstuff warms up in the oven.
In this way, the model provides direct feedback concerning design improvement. Pursuing such cues, one can make improvement upon improvement quickly, and test new materials and designs for their potentials. In fact, a virtual prototype is being developed. This approach also enables product development to be speeded up by 50% and cost-savings of 30% to be achieved (see diagram).
Temperature distribution in volume
The virtual microwave oven gives direct feedback regarding new or altered packaging and/or food design in relation to their warming-up behaviour in the microwave oven.
It is suitable for both big and small companiesdeveloping microwave oven products.
Small companies can find out, without huge investments, how to develop their own packaging or to further differentiate their products. Big companies which already possess much in-house know-how about microwave oven packaging can benefit from the knowledge integration aspects of the virtual oven, a theme which has hitherto not been explored.
