You can set the default pull direction to be used in all other core and cavity operations. Graphical feedback clearly indicates the current pull direction, but you can switch this off. Another preliminary step is to create a mold block for the part. At the same time, you can define the assembly structure for the various parts that are produced while on the way to creating forms.
Specify a Pull Direction from an existing mold feature, the Default Pull Direction, or the Measure dialog.
To specify the default pull direction for separating core and cavity,
1. Click Mold Design and then, in the Setup group, click Pull Direction. The Pull Direction dialog box opens.
2. Use the Get From options to specify the direction in which the part will be pulled out of the mold:
◦ Reference Mold Feature takes the direction set in an existing mold feature
◦ Default
◦ Measure Direction: use the Direction 3D tool to specify the direction
◦ To hide the graphical feedback that indicates the pull direction in the viewport, click Visible off. A feedback arrow is displayed by default (Visible is on).
3. Click OK.
The pull direction will be used as the default in subsequent Core & Cavity operations.
You can create a mold block for a part to be used to create its core and cavity. This action creates a mold assembly to which the part can optionally be moved or copied.
To create a mold block,
1. Click Mold Design and then, in the Setup group, click Mold Block. The Mold Block dialog box opens.
2. If necessary, click Part and specify a different part for which to create a mold block.
3. In the Copy Part list, specify if and how the original part is to be copied:
◦ Yes places a copy of the part in the mold assembly to be created, but keeps the original part in its position in the part structure.
◦ Move moves the part to the new mold assembly.
◦ No keeps the part in its original position in the part structure, and makes no copy.
4. Mold Design suggests a mold assembly structure by default, but you can change any of the selections as necessary:
◦ The Owner of the mold assembly.
◦ The Name of the mold assembly.
◦ Tool Name sets the default assembly in which to keep parting and fill surfaces.
◦ Core Owner sets the default assembly in which to keep the core parts.
◦ Cavity Owner sets the default assembly in which to keep the cavity parts.
◦ Other Forms sets the default assembly in which to keep all the other form parts (such as sliders).
5. If a default pull direction has been specified, the Block Parameter section will be filled in automatically. Otherwise, you must specify the Pull Direction in the Mold Block menu; the other parameters are then proposed automatically, but you can change them.
If necessary, specify the following parameters for the mold block:
◦ Pull Direction specifies the direction (with the Direction 3D tool) in which the part will be removed from the mold.
◦ X Direction specifies the x-axis direction (with the Direction 3D tool) to orient the mold block. This direction must not be collinear with the pull direction.
◦ Width specifies the width of the mold block.
◦ Depth specifies the depth of the mold block.
◦ Height specifies the height of the mold block.
6. Click OK to create the mold block.
The mold assembly is created and the mold block appears in the viewport.
Pull Direction. The Pull Direction dialog box opens.
Mold Block. The Mold Block dialog box opens.