Solid Mesh - Manual (Domain Type) PropertyManager

When you create a solid mesh with the Manual method, you can identify a part as cavity (default), insert, runner, or mold. You assign the proper domain to the parts of the model before proceeding with creating the mesh.

To open the Solid Mesh - Manual (Domain Type) PropertyManager:

  1. In the PlasticsManager , double-click Solid or Shell and click Manual.
  2. The Domain Type PropertyManager is active at the second step of the process of creating a mesh.

Controls

Next

Goes to the next step.

Back

Returns to the previous step.

Set Domain Type

By default, the software treats all parts in the model as cavities. Every model must have at least one cavity domain. The other domain types are optional.

Cavity Identifies the part as a cavity. Melted plastic material flows through the volume of parts identified as cavities during the injection molding process.
Runner Identifies the part as a runner. Runner is a channel which connects the sprue with the cavity gate. The runner system (sprue, runner, and gate) is a flow control device which delivers the melted plastic resin into the cavity.
Insert Identifies the part as an insert. Metal or plastic solid inserts may be placed in the cavity to be molded with the part. Melted polymer plastic material does not flow through the volume of parts identified as inserts. You can view temperature distribution plots at the end of fill for parts identified as inserts. Inserts are meshed with solid elements.
To assign material to an insert, under INPUT > Material , double-click Insert. Select Polymer or Metal to open the desired material database.

Plastic melted material does not flow through the volume of parts identified as inserts.
Cooling Channel Identifies the part as a cooling channel. A cooling channel is a passageway located within the body of a mold through which a cooling medium, typically water, steam, or oil, circulates.
You can create the actual solid geometry of a cooling system, or create a sketch and set the design parameters in the Channel Design wizard.
By creating a sketch to define the cooling channel geometry, you get more accurate cooling analysis results (such as part cooling time, and part and mold temperatures at end of cooling)
Mold Identifies the part as a mold. Molds are defined for a cooling analysis and are meshed with solid elements. Virtual molds are generated automatically, and do not require domain type assignment.
Domain Group Assigns a domain group to a selected part. For example, if you have several inserts with different materials, you can assign all inserts with the common material to one domain group. The domain group is shown in parenthesis next to the domain type of the part.
Apply Applies the selected domain type to the highlighted part.
Show / Hide Toggles the visibility of the selected part. No mesh is created for hidden parts. The parts are listed with Show or Hide under Set Domain Type.
1: Inserts, 2: Cavity, 3: Cooling channels, and 4: Virtual mold