Mold Design
You create a
mold using a sequence of integrated tools that control the mold creation
process. You can use these mold tools to analyze and correct deficiencies
with either SolidWorks or imported models of parts to be molded. Mold
tools span from initial analysis to creating the tooling split. The result
of the tooling split is a multibody part containing separate bodies for
the molded part, the core, and the cavity, plus other optional bodies
such as side cores. The multibody part file maintains your design intent
in one convenient location. Changes to the molded part are automatically
reflected in the tooling bodies. The process is as follows:
Draft
Analysis 
. Examines the faces of the model
for sufficient draft, to ensure that the part ejects properly from the
tooling.
Undercut
Analysis 
. Identifies trapped areas that prevent
the part from ejecting.
Parting Line Analysis 
. Analyzes transitions between positive and negative draft
to visualize and optimize possible parting lines.
Parting
Lines 
. This tool has two functions:
Verifies
that you have draft on your model, based on the angle you specify.
Creates
a parting line from which you create a parting surface. The Parting
Lines tool includes the option to select an edge and have the system
Propagate 
to all
edges.
Shut-off
Surfaces 
. Creates surface patches to close
up through holes in the molded part.
Parting
Surfaces 
. Extrude
from the parting line to separate mold cavity from core. You can also
use a parting surface to create an interlock
surface.
Ruled
Surface 
. Adds draft to surfaces on imported models.
You can also use the Ruled Surface
tool to create an interlock surface.
Tooling
Split 
. Creates
the core and cavity bodies, based on the steps followed earlier.
You
can save each tooling body into a separate part document by right-clicking
the body in Solid Bodies 
and selecting Insert into
New Part. Then insert the new parts into an assembly, where you
can add other supporting hardware, create mates, and so on. The new parts
have external references to the original model, so changes to the molded
part are automatically reflected in the tooling parts in the assembly.
The Mold
Tools toolbar also includes additional tools common to the
mold process, such as Scale 
and Move Face 
, as well as surface modeling tools such as Planar
Surface 
and Knit
Surface 
.
The Mold Design
Tools Overview has more information on when and how to use
the various mold tools.