Abstract: A mathematical model and related concepts of mould design optimization techniques were introduced. An example of first order optimization analysis was given, in which the width of tendons and the thickness of mould board were taken as design variables, the allowable stress and deformation amount of mould board were taken as state variables, and the minimum volume value of mould board was taken as objective function, the optimum geometric parameters were determined. The optimization based on the finite element method was proven reliable and was useful in practical engineering design.

Key words: ANSYS, design optimization techniques, first order optimization, injection machine, moulding board