TUTORIAL [Naturally Balanced Runners
Introduction:
This tutorial shows you how to create and analyze a 2-plate mold which contains two different cavities (a family mold). There are eight tasks in this tutorial.
Task List
1. Prepare the first model
2. Prepare the second model
3. Set the mold dimensions
4. Runner system parameters
5. Generate runner system
6. Change runner dimensions
7. Set processing conditions
8. Tutorial overview
Task 1: Setting up the model
In this task you will prepare the model for analysis:
open a model
select a polymer material and supplier
set the polymer injection locations
Before you start, set the units to Metric so the dimensions will be shown in millimeters.
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1. Click 2. Click OK to continue. 3. Set the polymer injection location |
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Injection |
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You have completed the first task. Click the right arrow to move on to the next task: Orientate the model.
Task 2: Orientate the model
In this task you will orient the part. You need to do this so that when you duplicate it, it is correctly oriented.
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1. Select Multi Cavity from the Analysis Mode 2. Click 3. Click 4. Rotate the model +90 degrees around the X-axis, and then click Apply. 5. Rotate the model -90 degrees around the Z-axis, and then click OK. |
There are two things you should consider when you rotate the model:
The model should be oriented so the sprue is created in the right direction. The sprue will always be created along the Z-axis, with the injection end pointing in the positive Z direction. In the case of this model, the top of the screw cover should be in the X-Y plane, so the part needs to be rotated 90 degrees around the X-axis.
The model should be oriented so the injection cone is facing the right direction when the part is duplicated. If you duplicate a part using either the linear or grid options, the injection cone should be pointing along the Y-axis. If you duplicate a part using the radial option, the injection cone should be pointing along the X-axis. On this model, the injection cone will be pointing in the Y direction and so it needs to be rotated by 90 degrees around the Z-axis.
In the Rotate dialog, you can change the orientation of the part in three ways:
Type in the number of degrees you want to rotate the part around an axis.
Use the buttons to rotate the part exactly 90 degrees around an axis.
Select three points to specify the X-Y plane.
You have completed this task. Move on to the next task: Copy the cavity.
Task 3: Copy the cavity
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In this task you will copy the part to make a circle of six parts each identical to the original.
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1. Click 2. Enter 6 in the Number of Cavities text box. 3. Select Radial from the Layout Type drop-down list. 4. Enter 25 (mm) in the Layout Radius area. Ensure that R = Origin to Cavity Edge is selected. 5. Click OK. |
A multiple cavity has two or more copies of the same model. The Adviser allows you to arrange the models in a single row, a grid, or a circle. In this case, you have arranged the models in a circle.
You have completed this task. Move on to the next task: Set the parting plane.
Task 4: Set the parting plane
In this task you will set the parting plane so that the mold opens at the bottom side of the screw cover cap.
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1. Click 2. Enter 11.1 as the Z coordinate. 3. Click OK. |
The parting plane is the plane between the A-plate and B-plate. It is always parallel to the X-Y plane, and the sprue location is always on the positive side of the parting plane. This means that you need to have the model oriented correctly before you create the mold or feed system. To help with model orientation, make sure that the program preference Display Labeled Mold is selected in File
You have completed this task. Move on to the next task: Set the mold dimensions.
Task 5: Set the mold dimensions
In this task you will set the dimensions of the mold. The two mold plates are labeled the A-plate and B-plate. The height of the A-plate determines the height of the sprue.
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1. Click 2. Make sure in the Mold Thickness section, Floating (3 Plate) check box is not selected. 3. Enter the following plate thickness: · A-plate: 20 mm · B-plate: 20 mm 4. Click OK. |
You have completed this task. Move on to the next task: Set runner system parameters.
Task 6: Set runner system parameters
In this tutorial you will set the default parameters for the runners, gates, and sprue.
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1. Click 2. Click the Runner tab, and make these selections: · Runner type: Cold Runner. · Runner shape: · Diameter (1): 3 mm. 3. Click the Gates tab, and make these selections: · Gate type: · Start Diameter (1): 3 mm. · End Diameter (2): 0.5 mm. · Center Line Radius (R): 12 mm. 4. In the Gate length and rotation section, do the following: · Select Set Horizontal Length manually. · Set the Horizontal Length (L) to 12 mm 5. Click the Sprue tab, and make these selections: · Sprue Type: Cold Sprue. · Sprue Shape: · Start Diameter (1): 2 mm. · End Diameter (2): 3 mm. 6. Click OK. |
You have completed this task. Move on to the next task: Create the runner system.
Task 7: Create the runner system
In this task you will set the sprue location and select the option to automatically create the runner system.
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1. Click 2. Click Middle of Mold, then click OK. 3. In the Runner Generation dialog, select Generate Sprue, Runners and Gates. 4. Click OK. |
The sprue location is the place that the plastic enters the mold. The automatic runner generation function will create a radial runner system that is naturally balanced.
Note: When you choose to automatically generate the runners, the Adviser creates naturally balanced runners wherever possible. If you don't want to use naturally balanced runners, automatically generate just the sprue and gates, and then manually create the runners.
Your model is now ready for analysis. To launch an analysis, click
You have completed this task. Move on to the next task: Tutorial overview.
Task 8: Tutorial overview
In this tutorial, you created a naturally balanced runner system for a six-cavity mold. After completing this tutorial, you should be able to:
Rotate a model so that the injection location is oriented correctly for duplicating a part.
Duplicate a model.
Set the parting plane.
Set the dimensions for a mold.
Set the runner system defaults.
Automatically generate a naturally balanced runner system.
