Moldex3D Studio is a CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering) mold flow software in the plastic injection molding industry. It leverages advanced 3D simulation analysis technology to assist users across various industries in simulating complex processes, addressing plastic product design and manufacturing issues, and reducing time-to-market, ultimately maximizing product profitability. Its target audience includes enterprises involved in plastic product design, research and development, and manufacturing. The software caters to a wide range of industries, spanning automotive, electronics, consumer products, medical devices, optics, machinery, aerospace, and semiconductor manufacturing.
This is a capstone project between the Institute of Computer Science at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and Moldex3D in the field of academia-industry cooperation.
Research Purpose
What difficulties and requirements do users encounter when using Moldex3D Studio for mold flow analysis
Conducting 12 user interviews to map out the behavioral processes and challenges faced by Moldex3D Studio users.
The team, through an understanding of user interaction behavior in using Moldex3D Studio, explores the existing software issues and relevant usage scenarios. Two categories of participants were recruited for interviews: CAE engineers (from Delta Electronics, Lite-On Technology) and users enrolled in the Master's program in Polymer Processing in the Department of Chemical Engineering at National Tsing Hua University.
Spent 12 hours on qualitative interview analysis using the Affinity Diagram.
We transcribed all the interviews verbatim and then converted the transcripts into note format. We mixed the notes from different interviewees and categorized the content into clusters, ultimately identifying four major user requirements.
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Four major requirements:
Simplified learning process
1. The operation of Moldex3D Studio is somewhat different from the software that users have accustomed to. When trying to view from different angles, it requires adapting to new methods, such as rotating, zooming, or dragging.
2. Users may struggle to locate specific commands and parameters within the interface.
3. Inexperienced users may not know the appropriate parameter values, nor do they understand how to create a gate.
4. There is a plethora of result values in the output, but users may not know the meanings of those options or how to interpret them.
More efficient simulation testing.
1. The recommended condition ranges appear only after running the simulation, which requires running it again, effectively doubling the time needed.
2. If users want to modify parameters after running the simulation, they need to delete all the comments.
Diverse result presentation.
1. Compared to before, the multiple windows now allow for a quicker assessment of differences in results.
2. Comparing results with another project requires manual screenshots.
3. Users can only export one video at a time, and it's not possible to export videos with both left and right windows in comparison simultaneously.
More stable project saving.
1. The software tends to crash when running projects multiple times, and results can be lost. Users need to create a new project to avoid data loss.
Based on the analysis of the four major requirements, we have also proposed design improvement recommendations.
Based on the content of user interviews, we have created two different types of Personas and Scenarios.
When it comes to mold flow analysis, users may sometimes use other software. How do these other software tools assist users in problem-solving?
Building upon the findings from the previous user study, we have identified areas of improvement that matter to users. This part delves deeper into four aspects: Simplified Learning Process, More Efficient Simulation Testing, Diverse Result Presentation, and Stable Project Saving. Using a competitive analysis approach, we have examined nine competitors to generate reference suggestions for future improvements in the design and optimization of Moldex3D Studio functionalities.
Analyzed 12 competitors
We conducted data collection for twelve competitors, ensuring that they all met the following two criteria: being specific to the plastic injection molding industry (excluding software related to petrochemical or architectural design, such as AutoCAD), and having user processes more closely aligned with Moldex3D Studio (excluding app-related software).
Using the concepts of additional features and core features, we compared the four major user requirements obtained earlier, ultimately consolidating the direct competitors into a competitive analysis chart.
Proposed 16 feature design recommendations.
In addition to comparing product features, we have also provided feature design recommendations for Moldex3D Studio to learn from and consider.
Applied heuristic evaluation methods to examine usability issues in completing a single model simulation testing process.
From the aforementioned user studies, we have learned about the users' needs at different stages of completing a project, including Simulation Testing, Result Comparison, and Model Inspection.
This part delves deeper into the Simulation Testing process and examines four operational stages: Import/Create Project,Create Mesh,Create Gate,and Create Runner. Using Heuristic Evaluation methods, we have provided reference criteria for future optimization in the design of Moldex3D Studio.
We initiated a pre-evaluation coordination to define assessment objectives, scope, and the actual execution method. Then, based on the primary core simulation test types, we conducted individual independent assessments for the four sub-task categories. We briefly described encountered issues and provided improvement suggestions. After sharing issues within the team, we consolidated related and interconnected problems and rated the severity of each issue individually. Finally, based on the prioritization from the rating, we further discussed issue details and potential improvement suggestions, aiming to identify the most critical issues to be addressed at each stage.
27 usability issues were identified, and recommendations for design improvements were proposed.
In this assessment, we identified a total of 27 usability issues. We have prioritized the issues that we believe need to be addressed first based on ratings from different operational stages. We also explained the reasons behind these priorities and provided suggestions for improvement.
By using online surveys, we were able to quickly gather user feedback and gain insights through quantitative analysis.
In order to enhance the user experience of Moldex3D Studio, we conducted a user questionnaire survey to understand how aspects such as Result presentation, Operational Processes, and Software Performance impact user satisfaction and willingness to continue using Moldex3D Studio.
Sampling methods and delivery channels
Due to limited resources and contact channels, we opted for convenience sampling. For the delivery channels, we requested assistance from Moldex3D's business team to distribute the survey to their customers.
We also distributed the survey to students in Moldex3D collaboration courses at National Tsing Hua University, as well as on social platforms such as NCTU and NCU student Facebook groups, as well as technology-related forums on PTT and Dcard.
Confirmed the questionnaire's direction through a pre-test, and ultimately received 74 completed survey responses.
Before formally launching the survey, to ensure that the questionnaire's questions were accurately understood and free from ambiguity, we engaged in "think-aloud" sessions with three Moldex3D customers, followed by brief interviews after completion.
Once the questions were confirmed, four Moldex3D customers filled out the survey to check completion time and response trends.
In the end, we received a total of 74 survey responses. We used the version of Moldex3D Studio that respondents used to filter out any false samples.
The data analysis revealed a moderate positive correlation between operational flow and software performance with user satisfaction. Additionally, the presentation of results, operational processes, and software performance showed positive correlations with influencing continued use.
Based on the survey responses, we have received several recommendations for software design improvement.
Recommendations for software design optimization based on the average score of each question, the results of data analysis, and the level of scores.
What challenges do users with relevant knowledge but no prior experience with Moldex3D Studio face during the pre-processing stage
Based on the product core roadmap and key tasks defined from the heuristic evaluation results, exploratory research was conducted using usability testing as a method to observe and assess usability issues that users encounter during the pre-processing stage of operating Moldex3D Studio (importing files, checking project files, creating gates, and establishing runners).
Validate issues identified in user interviews, such as "more intuitive operation methods" and "more stable project saving," during the same operational stages selected in the heuristic evaluation to confirm their existence in real usage scenarios and assess their severity.
5 research participants conducted remote usability tests during the pandemic.
Participants were required to have basic knowledge in the field of injection molding. Five participants, including 3 students and 2 internal personnel, conducted the tests using the Microsoft Teams video software. Remote control functionality within the software allowed participants to manipulate the software on the researcher's computer.
Four main problem points were identified, and design suggestions were provided.
Identify problem points and provide design recommendations based on participant performance, post-test interviews, and task completion rates across the task stages.
Comparison of Usability Test results with the Heuristic Evaluation results.
Lacks sufficient industry background knowledge.
This project involves specialized software that is not intended for general use but requires knowledge of injection molding and specific courses to learn how to use it. Although the team has formed study groups to enhance their understanding of industry knowledge and the software's primary purpose and functions, there may still be challenges in determining and measuring analysis criteria during research.
The lack of diversity among the participants.
Because the project software comes at a high cost and is not commonly used by the general public, we primarily relied on Moldex3D Company to help us find participants or interviewees. As a result, our interaction with users was relatively fixed, and we lacked diversity among the user base.
Find a more diverse range of users.
Search for different types of users, whether they are students new to the software or industry professionals who actively use it. Through a variety of users from different backgrounds, gain insights into real-world usage scenarios.
Gain a deeper understanding of real-world usage scenarios.
Involve individuals with industry knowledge in the team to enhance the research efforts.
