Undercut Analysis and the Undercut Analysis PropertyManager (CPU-based)

You can use Undercut Analysis to find trapped areas in a model that cannot be ejected from the mold.

These areas require a side core. When the main core and cavity are separated, the side core slides in a direction perpendicular to the motion of the main core and cavity. This allows the part to be ejected.

This topic applies only to CPU-based undercut analysis. The software uses CPU-based processing only if your graphics card cannot perform the GPU-based processing required for the newer GPU-based undercut analysis. See Graphics Card Considerations in Mold Analysis Tools.
Undercut Analysis works only on solid bodies. It does not work on surface bodies.

Undercut Analysis PropertyManager (CPU-based)

To run undercut detection analysis:

  1. Click Undercut Analysis (Mold Tools toolbar) or View > Display > Undercut Analysis.
  2. In the PropertyManager, set the following options:
    • Analysis Parameters

      Direction of Pull

      All faces are evaluated to determine if they are visible from above the part and from below the part. To specify the direction of pull, select:

      • A plane, face, or edge.
      • Coordinate input, and set coordinates along the X, Y, and Z axes.
      To reverse faces reported as Direction1 undercut and Direction2 undercut in the results, click Reverse Direction .

      Parting Line

      Select a parting line for the analysis. Faces above the parting line are evaluated to determine if they are visible from above the parting line. Faces below the parting line are evaluated to determine if they are visible from below the parting line. If you select a parting line, you do not need to specify Direction of Pull.

      Body Selection

      If your model has more than one body, click in Solid or Surface Body , then select the body to analyze.
      Direction of Pull and Parting Line both identify depressions in the wall of the part that require a side core. Parting Line also helps you to identify sections of the parting line that you can modify to avoid the need for side cores.
  3. Under Analysis Parameters, click Calculate.
    The results appear under Undercut Faces. Faces with different classifications are displayed in different colors in the graphics area. The faces are classified as follows:
    Direction1 undercut Faces that are not visible from above the part or parting line.
    Direction2 undercut Faces that are not visible from below the part or parting line.
    Occluded undercut Faces that are not visible from above or below the part.
    Straddle undercut Faces that draft in both directions.
    No undercut  
  4. Under Undercut Faces, for each face classification you can:
    • Click Show/Hide to show or hide the faces in the graphics area.
    • Click Edit Color to display the Color palette and change the color.
  5. Click .