MDP mt10420 nx4 G

Mold Wizard Design Process
Student Guide
June 2006
MT10420 — NX 4
Publication Number
mt10420_g NX 4
Manual History
Manual Software Publication

Revision Version Date
Version 16.0.2.2 August 2000
Version 17.0 December 2000
Version 18.0 October 2001
Unigraphics NX September 2002
Unigraphics NX 2 February 2004
NX 3.0.1 April 2005
NX 4.0.2 July 2006
This edition obsoletes all previous editions.
Proprietary & Restricted Rights Notice
This software and related documentation are proprietary to UGS Corp.

© 2006 UGS Corp. All Rights Reserved.
All trademarks belong to their respective holders.
©2006 UGS Corp.

All Rights Reserved.
Produced in the United States of America.
2 Mold Wizard Design Process — Student Guide mt10420_g NX 4

Contents
Course Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Course Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Intended Audience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Student Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
How to Use this Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Common Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Classroom System Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Roles, Toolbars, and Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Class Standards for NX Part Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Parts Directory Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Initializing a Mold Design Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

Initialize Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Project Assembly Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Product Sub Assembly Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Material Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Starting Mold Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Activity: Setting Project Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Mold Csys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Shrinkage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Edit Scale Dialog Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Activity: Choosing and Setting a Mold Csys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Instruction Format for Initializing a Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
Work Piece . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26
Activity: User Defined Work Piece . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-29
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-35
Mold Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

Trim Based Parting Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Tools Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Patch Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Surface Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Edge Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Existing Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Create Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
©UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved Mold Wizard Design Process — Student Guide 3
Contents
Activity: Surface, Edge, Existing Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10

Split Solid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21
Trim Region Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22
Activity: Create Box and Solid Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-23
Activity: Boolean Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-31
Solid Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-44
Profile Split . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-45
Enlarge Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-46
Activity: Enlarge Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-47
Trim Solid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-56
Replace Solid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-58
Extend Solid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-59
Reference Blend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-60
Activity: Trim Solid, Replace Solid, and Reference Blend . . . . . . 2-61
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-69
Cavity Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

Cavity Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Insert Pocket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Reposition Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
Activity: Circular Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Family Molds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Family Mold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Activity: Family Mold Project - Toy Shapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Removing the only instance of a product . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10
Activity: Remove a Product and Delete Related Parts . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Partings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Parting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Partings in the Mold Wizard Design Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Parting Process in Detail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Parting Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Design Regions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Activity: Molded Part Validation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Face Split . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Activity: Face Split and Assign to Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Extract Regions and Parting Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Boundary Regions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Activity: Extract Regions, Core and Cavity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Create / Delete Patch Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Edit Parting Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Search Parting Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
4 Mold Wizard Design Process — Student Guide ©UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved mt10420_g NX 4
Contents
Define/Edit Parting Segments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31

Create / Edit Parting Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-33
Parting Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Activity: Transitions and Parting Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Create Cavity and Core . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-48
Activity: User Defined Parting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-49
Suppress Parting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-51
The Molding Part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-52
Activity: Molding Part Topology Changes and Update . . . . . . . . 5-53
Model Comparison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-59
Swap Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-60
Activity: Swap and Update after Simple Changes . . . . . . . . . . . 5-61
Activity: Swap and Update with Parting Loop Changes . . . . . . . 5-65
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-76
Mold Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

Mold Base Management . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Activity: Adding a Mold Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Interchangeable Mold Base . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Universal Mold Base . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Standard Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1

Standard Parts Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Functions that Work with Standard Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Other Functions Using the Standard Part Management Dialog . . 7-9
Dimension Page Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Opening Large Mold Wizard Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
Slider and Lifter Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-13
Activity: Sliders and Lifters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-44
Sub-Inserts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
The Sub-Insert Dialog – Standard Part Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
Activity: Creating Sub-Inserts using the Standard Part Method . . 8-6
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-17
Gates and Runners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1

Gates and Runner Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Gate Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Activity: Placing Gates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Runner Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10
Activity: Adding Runners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-13
Contents
Cooling Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1

Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Activity: Cooling Using Standard Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17
Electrode Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1

Electrode Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2
Simultaneous Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-3
Activity: Electrode Design in the Tray Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-10
Creating Pockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1

Pocket Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Activity: Slider/Lifter Pockets in the Mouse Assembly . . . . . . . . 12-5
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-12
Customizing Mold Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-1

Register New Standard Part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-2
Activity: Standard Part Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-3
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-14
Additional Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

Power Tool Casing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
Coffee Filter Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-3
Mounting Flange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-5
Axle Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-7
Saw Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-9
Wagon Bed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-11
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Index-1
Course Overview
Course Description
Mold Wizard is a collection of tools that assist you by automating common
mold design tasks.
Intended Audience
Mold Wizard Design Process is targeted at NX users who are responsible for
injection mold design and development.
Prerequisites
Students should have taken:
• Practical Applications of NX course
• Design Applications Using NX course
We highly recommend, but do not require, that the student has:

• Mold design experience
• Experience with NX Assemblies, WAVE, Direct Modeling, and Free Form

Modeling
Objectives
Objectives
After successfully completing this course, you should be able to perform the
following activities:
• Create Mold Wizard product assemblies
• Apply a shrink factor
• Define core and cavity regions within a product model
• Create patch up (shut off) geometry
• Create mold tooling inserts
• Use Mold Base Libraries to choose a standard mold base
• Use Standard Part Libraries to select and position common parts,

including Insert Pockets, Sub Inserts, Cooling Channels, Gates, Runners,
and Electrodes
• Create a Bill of Materials
• Begin a mold assembly drawing
Student Responsibilities
• Be on time.
• Be considerate of the needs of other students.
• Participate in class.
• Stick with the subject matter.
• Listen attentively and take notes.
• Practice on the job what you have learned.
• Have Fun!
Course Overview
How to Use this Book

It is important that you use the Student Guide in the sequence presented.
Later lessons assume you have learned concepts and techniques taught in
earlier lessons. If necessary, you can always refer to any previous activity
where a method or technique was originally taught.
Always read the Cue and Status information while working through
activities and as you perform your regular duties.
The format of activities is consistent throughout this manual. Steps are

labeled and specify what will be accomplished at any given point in the
activity. Below each step are action bullets which detail individual actions
that must be taken to accomplish the step. As your knowledge increases the
step text may become all that is needed to accomplish a given task.
Step 1: This is an example of a step.
This is an example of an action bullet.
The general format for lesson content is:

• presentation
• activity
Most lessons have one or more activities.
• workbook project
Typically, a project assignment follows a group of related activities.
• summary
For students who prefer more detail from an Instructor Led Course:
• ask questions
• confirm with restatement
• attend and pay attention to instruction as it is given.
Obviously, it is always necessary for students to consider the classroom

situation and be considerate of other students who may have greater or
lesser needs for instruction. Instructors cannot possibly meet the exact needs
of every student.
At the start of each class day you will be expected to log onto your terminal,
start NX, and to be ready to follow the instructor’s curriculum. At the end of
the day’s class you should always quit NX and log off the terminal.
Common Symbols
Common Symbols
As you work through the student manual and workbook special symbols are
often used to denote certain kinds of information.
Design Intent – information about the task and what must be
accomplished.
Tip — useful information such as advice on how to make a task flow

more smoothly.
Note — miscellaneous noteworthy information.
Example — used to show a possible way that the current topic of

discussion could be used.
Caution — important reminders or information about a task.
Warning — informs you of information that is essential to your

success.
Course Overview
Classroom System Information

Your instructor will provide you with the following items for working
in the classroom:
Student Login:
User name:
Password:
Work Directory:
Parts Directory:
Instructor:
Date:
Roles, Toolbars, and Menus
Roles, Toolbars, and Menus

This course was designed to use the Advanced with Full Menus role.
Roles
NX has many advanced capabilities, but while

learning you may want to use a smaller set of tools.
As you progress you may want to use more functions.
Roles tailor your interface by hiding tools you are unlikely to use in a given
role.
The role you choose affects the number of icons that appear on toolbars, and
the number of pull-down menu items you will see.
Choosing a Role
To activate a role:
• Open the Roles palette on the resource bar
• Click the role you want.
• Acknowledge the warning message.
Course Overview
Customize
NX provides customization tools to fine tune your interface.

You can:
• Change the size of icons displayed on menus and toolbars
• optionally display text below icons on toolbars
• remove tools you never use
• move tools to a different location by dragging them
To add a command to a menu or toolbar:

• Click MB3 on any blank toolbar area.
• Choose Customize (last choice at the bottom of the list)
• On the Commands page, select a menu or toolbar in the left window.
• Drag a command from the right window to a toolbar or menu.
Some menu items are hidden by default. We say these items are “below the
fold.” You can set menus to always display all choices on the Options page of
the Customize dialog.
Toolbars
Icons that are available for a toolbar might not be displayed by default.
You can choose which icons are displayed using Add and Remove buttons
under Toolbar Options on any toolbar.
Class Standards for NX Part Files

Mold Wizard Design Process uses standards that are distinct from other
NX Instructor Led Classes.
Layer usage, part naming, and considerable automatic geometry creation, all
follow standards set by Mold Wizard defaults. These standards and defaults
will be explained as they are encountered in the course.
Parts Directory Structure
Parts Directory Structure

In illustrations your home is named "moldwizard." Your actual home directory
name may differ. Your instructor will have provided the name along with
other information you recorded on the previous page.
The home contains several folders with parts or assemblies, shown above left.
The home also contains an entire Mold Wizard libraries directory shown above
right. The environment files provided with the class point to this structure.
This assures that the libraries are available for you to practice customization.
1
Lesson
1 Initializing a Mold Design Project
Purpose
You will practice several initial steps routinely performed when you create
Mold Design Projects.
Objective
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Set Project Initialize options.
• Examine the material database.
• Discuss the function of key members of the Mold Wizard assembly

structure.
• Explain the capabilities of the NX Scale function.
• Add a "user defined" work piece to a project.
©UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved Mold Wizard Design Process — Student Guide 1-1
Initializing a Mold Design Project
1
Initialize Project
When you first choose Initialize Project, the Open Part File dialog appears.
After you select an appropriate part file, the Project Initialize dialog appears.
You can set:
• Units
• The path where project files will be saved
• A name for the project (project files will have the project name as a prefix)
• Set a pre-defined material; hence, also automatically define the shrinkage

factor
• Open and edit the material database
• Optionally, make the rename dialog appear
Project Units
In your customer defaults (File→Utilities→Customer Defaults→Mold

Wizard ) you can set:
• None
• Metric
• English
• Same as Product Model
When you Initialize Project for the first time, the Units of the selected
part are displayed in the status window. If you work in mixed units,
always observe the status line to check as you initialize.
1-2 Mold Wizard Design Process — Student Guide ©UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved mt10420_g NX 4
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Rename Dialog
Rename Dialog controls the optional display of the Part Name Management
dialog.
Part Name Management allows flexible control over the part names in
your tooling assembly. The dialog appears once for the top level assembly
illustrated below and again for a product level subassembly.
• Name Rule - temporarily over ride the rule from Mold Wizard defaults
• Next Number - control the numeric suffix for all or selected parts
• Set selected parts to a specific name of your choice
Cloning Process
When you initialize a Mold Wizard design project, Mold Wizard uses the
Assembly Clone function to copy seed assemblies.
Advanced users may create a Mold Wizard compatible customized seed
assembly. To use custom seed parts, over ride the default directory location of
the seed assemblies in the Mold Wizard defaults.
Seed Assemblies
There are two seed assemblies.

The project assembly structure consists of the "top" part, and several parts
and sub assemblies below it.
The product assembly structure consists of a "prod" subassembly containing
several product specific parts. Multiple product structures may exist within
a single layout subassembly, for example in multiple cavity layouts and
family molds.
Reference Sets
Mold Wizard represents original product parts by their Empty Reference Set.
When you reopen tooling assemblies Assembly Navigator check boxes
for product parts are empty. The system saves memory and improves
performance by not loading empty reference sets. This can impact certain
editing operations.
If data from a product part is needed Mold Wizard may ask you
to “manually open” it. Simply click on the empty check box in the
Assembly Navigator and acknowledge a reminder that the opened
part is invisible.
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Loading a Product
If there is more than one selectable body in the product part, you will be
asked to select a solid.
You accomplish instancing using the Layout function.
When you choose Initialize Project when a Mold Wizard assembly is already
open, an additional product is added to the layout sub assembly. We discuss
this in greater detail in the lesson about Family Molds and Layout.
TIP: Mold Wizard is designed to work with only one project at a time. Never
attempt to use Mold Wizard with more than one top level part open.
Initialize Project is the preferred method to open existing

tooling assemblies. Initialize Project sets certain necessary load
options
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Project Assembly Members
• TOP - The tooling assembly holds all components needed to define an

injection mold.
• VAR - contains standard values that may be referenced by mold bases

and standard components.
• COOL - Cooling Channels will be placed here.
• FILL - Gating and Runners will be placed here.
• MISC - standard parts that are not specific to an individual product insert,
such as locating rings, parting locks, and support posts will be placed here.
• LAYOUT - used to position "prod" node(s) relative to the moldbase.

Multi-cavity or family molds have multiple subassemblies under LAYOUT.
misc, cool, and some other nodes are divided into side_a for
components on the a-side of the mold and side_b for components
on the b-side. This allows two designers to simultaneously work on
the same project.
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Product Sub Assembly Members
• PROD subassembly - component files related to an individual product.

Product specific standard parts such as ejector pins, core pins, slides,
and lifters may appear in the "prod" sub assembly under the side_a or
side_b nodes.
• Product model - the original part model is added to the prod sub assembly
with its name unmodified.
• SHRINK - holds a scaled linked copy of the product model.
• PARTING - holds the parting sheet body, patch sheet bodies and extracted
cavity and core faces used to trim cavity and core blocks.
• CAVITY, CORE - cavity and core work pieces, geometry linked to a

common seed body in the Parting part.
• TRIM - linked bodies in this component are used to trim standard parts
using the Mold Trim function.
• MOLDING - The molding part contains a geometry-linked copy of the

product model. Molding features (such as tapers, split faces, edge blends,
etc.) are added to this part to make the product model moldable. These
molding features are not affected by shrinkage changes. Full association
is kept when a new product version is swapped even if the original product
was translated from another CAD system.
• PROD_SIDE_A, PROD_SIDE_B - subassembly structures for components

on the a-side and b-side of the mold, respectively. This allows two
designers to simultaneously work on the same project.
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Material Database
The Part Material pull-down menu lets you select a plastic part material.
The Shrinkage factor of the selected material is displayed.
You can change the Shrinkage factor value. You can also edit the shrinkage
factor in the Shrinkage module, which we will discuss later.
You can edit the plastic material library with the Edit Material Database
button.
Tips
• Part Material is a simple means of choosing an appropriate shrinkage

factor. Once you initialize, only the shrinkage value is retained by the
system.
• Keep in mind the advice Save Early, Save Often.
• Make it a habit to use Save All to be certain you do not lose any
modifications to WAVE linked parts in your project assembly.
• NX will warn you if you attempt to quit with unsaved parts.
• NX places a 128 character limit on the size of a part file name, including
the four characters ".prt".
• The Project Name defaults to 11 characters.
• The use of a copy of the master part need not affect NX Mold Wizard’s
ability to maintain associativity. As long as a replacement is copied from
the same original, updated file, assemblies will continue to recognize it;
however, all rules regarding Wave "parenting" apply.
• When you reopen an NX Mold Wizard assembly, remember that the

original part is referenced by it’s Empty reference set. Certain functions,
such as Edge Patch and Mold Csys, require this part to be open. Open the
part before using these functions.
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Starting Mold Wizard
You will usually want to start Mold Wizard before you open a part.
There are two ways to access Mold Wizard from the No Part state.
Once either change describe below is made, it will remain in effect
permanently until:
• you reset the affected toolbar.
• you choose a new role.
• you install a new version of NX.
Display the Application Toolbar
1. Right-click in the toolbar area and choose Application.
2. If Mold Wizard does not already appear on the application

toolbar, on any toolbar choose Toolbar Options→Add or Remove
Buttons→Application→Mold Wizard.
3. On the Application toolbar, click Mold Wizard to display the Mold Wizard
toolbar.
Display the Start Menu
1. On any toolbar choose Toolbar Options→Add or Remove

Buttons→Standard→Start.
2. Choose Start→All Applications→Mold Wizard to display the Mold Wizard

toolbar..
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Activity: Setting Project Defaults
Step 1: Create a mouse project.
Choose Initialize Project.
Select mdp_mcu from the mouse folder.

mdp_mcu is an abbreviation for Mold Wizard Design Process
Mouse Case Upper.
By the end of the course you will create a family mold to

make one each of the mouse case upper (mcu) and case
lower (mcl) parts.
The original parts are designed in inches. You will be
working for our fictitious company. We work in millimeters.
You will over ride the default component naming according
to a standard in your work group.
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Change Unit to Millimeter.
The following action is very important.
In the Project Name window, type mouse.
Toggle Rename Dialog to active.
Choose Edit Material Database.
When you have examined the spreadsheet data close the

spreadsheet without saving.
Set the Part Material to ABS.
Choose OK.
In a few moments Mold Wizard initializes the clone operation

for the top level seed assembly and displays the Part Name
Management dialog.
For the top level assembly, your work group prefers not to use
numeric name suffixes.
Remove the trailing _??? from the Name
Rule so that the dialog looks like this:
<PROJECT_NAME>_<TEMPLATE_NAME>
Choose Set All Names.
The numeric suffixes are removed from the New Names list.
Choose OK.
In a few moments Mold Wizard completes the clone operation for

the top level assembly and once again displays the Part Name
Management dialog.
For product level assemblies, your work group prefers to
use four digit numeric suffixes.
In family molds they use a different digit for the first
number in each series of product specific parts. For
example the first product has suffixes in the 1000s, the
second member has suffixes in the 2000s, and so on.
Your group also likes to add some product description to
the name fields so that it is very clear from the name to
which product any given part belongs.
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Add _upper and _??? to the Name Rule:
<PROJECT_NAME>_upper_<TEMPLATE_NAME>_???
Set Next Number to 1000.
The numeric suffixes are updated in the New Names list.
Choose OK.
Observe the status line during the cloning operation.
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Step 2: Examine the project structure that was just created.
Activate the Assembly Navigator.
You might want to keep the navigator open for a few steps
by choosing the “push pin” icon in the left corner of

the Assembly Navigator title bar. The appearance of the
icon changes to indicate that the window is pinned in the
open position.
Expand nodes mouse_layout and mouse_upper_prod_1000

and observe the names used.
The original product part is not renamed. It is added to the

assembly "as is."
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Choose Assemblies → Reports → List Components.
Questions:
What part is represented by its Empty Reference Set?
What part has different Units?
Dismiss the Information window.
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Step 3: Examine the relationship between components of the product
sub assembly.
In the Assembly Navigator select the original product
component, mdp_mcu.
Choose the Dependencies button to expand the window.
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In the Dependencies window, choose Expand Next Level
until the entire sequence of dependent parts is revealed.
Observe the order of dependency.
The tree structure reflects the order in which bodies in the

components are WAVE linked.
Dismiss the Assembly Navigator.
Step 4: Save and Close all parts.
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Mold Csys
Mold Csys repositions a product assembly into mold orientation.
Mold Csys allows you to adjust parts to match the mold base orientation no
matter what orientation was used during their design.
If the mold contains several products, it is the active product sub assembly
that is transformed.
Use Family Mold to set the active product.

Always choose Mold Csys before adjusting the WCS.
Mold Wizard might remind you to open the original part before
editing the Mold Csys.
• Current WCS - set the Mold CSYS to match the WCS.
• Product Body Center - set the Mold CSYS at the center of the product body.
• Boundary Face Center - set the Mold CSYS at the center of a selected face.
• Lock Buttons - allow repositioning of the Mold CSYS while remaining

locked on one of the three principal planes.
Aligning the Mold CSYS so that ZC+ represents the part removal direction is
the first step in the parting process.
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Shrinkage
Choosing the Shrinkage icon opens the Edit Scale dialog.
Shrinkage is a scale feature that you first apply by choosing a material
during project initialization.
You may edit the shrinkage at any time by choosing the Shrinkage icon with
the top part displayed.
Any time that Shrinkage has been assigned, whether by setting
material or by choosing Shrinkage, always choose Mold Csys before
you adjust the WCS to set your Mold Coordinate System.
This enables Mold Wizard to compensate properly for the effects of
the scale feature.
You may initially choose no material, or choose a material with similar

shrinkage, and later use Shrinkage to set the exact value you need.
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Edit Scale Dialog Options
Type
Uniform - scale uniformly in all directions.
Axisymmetric - scale with a specified scale factor (or multiplier),

symmetrically about a specified axis. This involves assigning one scaling
factor along an axis you specify, and another, single scaling factor to be
applied to the other two axis directions.
General - scale with different factors in all three X, Y, Z directions.

The illustration below shows the effects of the three types of Scale Body
feature on simple block and cone shapes.
(1) Before scaling.

(2) Uniform scale =2.
(3) General scale, X=2, Y=1, Z=0.5.
(4) Axisymmetric scale, along Z=1, other directions=2.0.
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Scale Selection Steps
There are four basic selection steps. Availability of each step depends upon
the selected scaling Type.
Body - Lets you select one or more solid or sheet bodies for the scale operation.
This step is not required when editing an existing scale in Mold Wizard.
Reference Point - Lets you specify a reference point from which the scale
operation is centered. The default reference point is the origin of the current
WCS, though you can specify another using the Point Method subfunction.
This step is available only with the Uniform and Axisymmetric Types.
Reference Axis - Lets you specify a reference axis for the scale operation.
Available only with the Axisymmetric Type method. The default is the WCS
Z axis. You can change this using the Vector Method subfunction.
Reference Csys - Lets you specify a reference coordinate system when using
the General Scale method.
Reference Geometry
Any geometry you select as an origin or csys reference in the scale dialog
becomes associated to the scale feature.
Scale Factors
Lets you specify the scaling factors (multipliers) by which the current size
is to change. One, two, or three scale factors are required for scale Type
Uniform, Axisymmetric, or General, respectively.
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Activity: Choosing and Setting a Mold Csys
The mouse project is modeled with a common coordinate system
at the center of a circular opening where the mouse ball protrudes
through the lower case. This assembly coordinate system is not
suitable as a mold coordinate system, thus you need to establish a
suitable Mold Csys for each component.
Procedure to open staged assemblies:

1. Verify that no parts are open.
2. Verify that Application→Mold Wizard is active.
3. Use Initialize Project to load the assembly.
Step 1: Load the mouse_top assembly from the mouse_csys folder
Step 2: Determine where the parting should be placed.
Choose the Mold CSYS icon.
The Mold CSYS dialog opens.

It is critically important to choose Mold Csys before you
adjust the working coordinate system!
Mold Csys being active tells the system to compensate for
any existing scale feature for shrinkage.
This is necessary because the parts displayed have a scale
feature while the mold assembly itself does not have a
scale factor.
Choosing Mold Csys before adjusting the WCS to set it
avoids position errors that might otherwise be introduced.
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Orient View to Front.
The orientation of the WCS is fine for the upper case, but the Z
level (XC-YC plane) is not convenient for molding.
You decide to locate the WCS in the same plane as the

apparently flat section at the right side of the part in the
illustration above.
This plane is approximately 12.7 mm above the current location

of the WCS.
There are various methods you could use to move the WCS origin
to the proper plane, many of which involve some analysis of
geometry or mathematical calculation.
The easiest method of relocating the WCS is to simply move it to a
point on the target face.
Once you establish a Z-level, Mold Wizard can maintain that level
and move the XY center of the part to the mold center.
To move the WCS, you will use the basic Point on Surface function.
Step 3: Move the WCS to the desired parting.

Choose Format → WCS → Origin.
The Point Constructor appears.

Choose the Point on Surface icon:
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Rotate the part to make it easy to select a point on the
thin lip of the part in the relatively flat area. When the
cursor is positioned correctly the face shown below will be
pre-highlighted:
Click to indicate a point on the lip near the mid center of the
flat region as shown in the detail view below:
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The Point Constructor fields reflect the location of the random
point you selected.
Choose OK.
The WCS is relocated to the end plane of the case:
Cancel from the Point Constructor dialog to return to the Mold

CSYS dialog.
Step 4: Set the Mold Coordinate System.
Toggle Product Body Center to on.
The bounding box of the model is temporarily displayed, and the

WCS is moved to the XY center at the current Z-level.
Choose OK.
The mouse_upper_prod_1000 sub assembly is repositioned in the

mouse_layout structure. The WCS is now at the mold center, with
ZC 0.0 at the main parting.
Step 5: Verify the Shrinkage factor.
Choose Shrinkage.
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Notice that you are in the Edit Scale dialog, and that you have a
Uniform Scale Factor of 1.006.
The shrinkage scale feature exists in the seed assembly with a

factor of 1.000.
When you choose a material, the system looks up the appropriate
scale factor in the material database spreadsheet and updates
the scale feature; thus, when you apply shrinkage you are always
editing an existing feature.
If you needed to adjust the scale factor in the future this is where
you would do it.
Choose Cancel.
Step 6: Save your work.

Choose File → Close → Save All and Close.
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Instruction Format for Initializing a Project
You will repeat steps very similar to those used with the tray and mouse
projects many times as you progress through this class.
Reading detailed instructions for many simple, repetitious steps could create
danger of overlooking occasional important differences.
From this point forward, project initialization steps will be condensed into a
short table. Details will be given only as required. Frequently, you will simply
accept default values for every input mentioned in such tables.
Path names vary. The variable part of the file path is abbreviated to "..."
Examples of initialization instruction format:
Step 1: Initialize a tray project:
First Part ... / tray / mdp_tray

Units default (inch)
Project default (mdp_tray)
Name
Mold Csys Specified later
Material ABS
Work Piece
Layout
Name Rule <PROJECT_NAME>_<TEMPLATE_NAME>_???
Next 00
Number
Step 1: Initialize a mouse project:
First Part .../ mouse / mdp_mcu

Units Millimeter
Project default (mdp_tray)
Name
Material ABS
Work Piece
Layout
Next 00
Number
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Work Piece
Previously defined core and cavity inserts may be replaced using the
Work Piece function.
Standard Block makes use of geometry linked predefined seed blocks.
(1) Cavity Side

(2) Core Side
User Defined Inserts: Cavity Only, Core Only, Cavity and Core
User Defined insert blocks may be used when the size and shape of the insert
block is something other than a standard rectangular block, or if the core and
cavity require rectangular insert blocks that are different in size.
A user defined work piece must exist in the parting part, but there are
several options for how it is modeled. It may be modeled in the parting part, a
geometry linked component, a user defined feature or an imported part.
The parting part contains a linked copy of the shrink body. When the
product dimensions are calculated the system will take into account
whatever shrink has been assigned.
An advantage may be gained by importing a Standard Part as a Work Piece.

Sub components may be attached and pocket-cutting bodies may be included
with detailed features. These ideas are expanded more fully in the lesson on
Standard Parts.
The A and B plates of the Moldbase may be geometry linked into the parting
part and used as Cavity and Core inserts. In some cases it will be necessary to
add material to the cavity and core blocks before trimming the cavity and core.
When any of the three insert box type options other than Standard Block are
selected, you will be prompted to select a solid body in the parting part to
represent the insert box. The body must exist in the parting part. You may
create it there, or link it into the parting part.
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Cavity & Core
The user defined insert body will to be shared by the cavity and core. Mold
Wizard will use WAVE to copy the body you select. Later it will automatically
trim one copy on each side of a parting sheet.
(1) Cavity Side

(2) Core Side
Cavity Only, Core Only

A separate user defined body may be selected for each tool insert. Select
Cavity Only and Core Only (in turn) and identify the user defined solids that
represent their respective insert box shapes.
Workpiece Library
The Workpiece Library functions like Standard Parts, which are discussed in
more detail in a later lesson.
Once a library insert is added to your assembly you must select it as
a user defined workpiece using Core, Cavity, or Cavity & Core.
Work Piece Dimensioning Methods:

Two methods for sizing the work piece are offered: Distance Allowance
and Reference Point. Both refer to the frame of reference used to size the
work piece.
The Distance Allowance method references the outer edges of the product
envelope.
The Reference Point method references a defined point on the product.
The Product Maximum Dimensions field lists the X, Y, Z-Up and Z-Down
dimensions of the envelope that contains the shrink part.
Z-Up and Z-Down represent the distance from the parting line to the
respective Up & Down extremities of the part.
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Work Piece Dimensions
Mold Wizard will recommend rounded values for an insert box that will
adequately encompass the volume of the parting part. By default, it suggests
a rounded allowance of approximately one inch around the entire part.
Values you enter in the six "plus or minus" windows at the left of the dialog
are used to calculate the rounded size. Values entered in the four windows at
the right of the dialog will be used exactly.
Workpiece Default Settings
The rounding allowance, default method, layer, and layer category name for
the work piece are controlled in the Mold Wizard defaults.
Values in the Mold Wizard defaults are initially all metric. A special
default specifies the units used in the default file. This permits NX
Mold Wizard to control automatic unit conversion as necessary:
MW_DefaultsUnit: Metric
Parting Process
Defining a workpiece is the second step in the parting process:

• Set the ejection direction.
• Define a workpiece to suit the product.
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Activity: User Defined Work Piece
For a roughly cylindrical part your company prefers cylindrical
inserts. In this activity you will design and identify a user defined
insert.
Step 1: Initialize the hub project using the information provided below:
First Part .../hub/mdp_hub

Units default (Inch)
Project default (mdp_hub)
Name
Mold Csys default
Material PC+ABS
Next 00
Number
Step 2: Create a cylinder in the parting part file to be used as a user

defined workpiece.
Make mdp_hub_parting the Displayed Part and Fit the view.
Use the Window pull-down menu.
Make layer 2 the Work Layer.
Choose Start → Modeling.
Choose Insert → Design Feature → Cylinder.
Choose Diameter, Height.
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In the Vector Constructor, choose ZC Axis.
Enter the following parameters, and choose OK.
Diameter 3.5
Height 2.0
In the Point Constructor, choose Reset to clear previous input,

enter ZC -0.75 (notice the negative value) then choose OK.
Choose Create.
A cylinder appears, completely encompassing the volume of the

product model.
Cancel from the Vector Constructor.
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Step 3: Identify the cylinder as the work piece.
Choose the Work Piece icon.
Choose the option Cavity_Core.
The dialog changes to the configuration illustrated below:
Make layer 2 Selectable.
Select the cylindrical body you just created.
Choose OK in the Work Piece Dimensions dialog.
Mold Wizard has identified the body you selected as the work piece
and updated wave links where necessary. .
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Step 4: Define Core and Cavity faces.
Choose Parting.
Choose the Design Regions icon on the Parting Manager

dialog.
Make layer 1 the Work Layer and layer 2 Invisible.
Choose OK to accept the defaults on the MPV Initialization

dialog.
On the Region page, choose Set Regions Color.
Cancel the dialog.
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Step 5: Define Core and Cavity regions.
Choose Extract Regions and Parting Lines on the Parting
Manager dialog.
Make certain that the MPV Regions and Extract Parting Lines
options are checked.
Choose OK.
Step 6: Auto Patch the interior hole.

Choose Create/Delete Patch Surfaces on the Parting Manager
dialog.
The one interior loop is highlighted.

Choose Auto Patch.
A Sheet body is created to patch the interior loop.
Choose Back.
Step 7: Define a Parting.
Choose Create/Edit Parting Surfaces on the Parting

Manager dialog.
Choose Create Parting Surfaces.
Choose OK to accept Bounded Plane as the Surface Type.
Step 8: Create tooling inserts.
Choose the Create Cavity and Core icon on the Parting

Manager dialog.
In the Core & Cavity dialog choose Auto Cavity Core.
When the process is complete Cancel the dialog.
Use the Parting Manager to examine the cavity and core sheets.
Step 9: Examine the inserts.

Use the Window menu to examine the core and cavity parts.
When the cylinder was identified as the work piece, Mold

Wizard updated WAVE linked bodies to point to the
cylinder instead of the default rectangular seed block.
Copies of the cylinder were trimmed using the extracted
Face Regions, the patch sheet, and the parting sheet.

Chose File → Close → Save All and Close.
Later, you will use the hub assembly to create a circular layout.
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Summary
We discussed the activities surrounding a mold project intialization. You had
a preview of tooling development process functions that will be explained in
detail in the following lessons.
In this lesson you:
• Changed initialization options, such as units, material, and naming rules.
• Reviewed the Mold Wizard Assembly Structure.
• Set Mold Coordinate Systems.
• Reviewed the Scale function used for Shrinkage Factors.
• Created a user defined work piece and corresponding mold inserts.
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Lesson
2 Mold Tools
2
Purpose
You will learn methods to prepare a product for cavity and core definition.
Objective

• Learn about and use Sheet Patch Up methods.
• Use the Create Patch Block function.
• Apply a solid patch.
• Learn and use solid split methods.
• Understand the Trim Solid, Replace Solid, Extend Solid, and Reference
Blend tools.
Mold Tools
Trim Based Parting Process

In trim based cavity and core parting:
• create a set of sheets and parting lines from the cavity and core regions
2 of the product body
• create patch sheets to fill interior openings inside the main parting line
loop
• create one or more parting sheets, depending on the configuration of

parting lines
• duplicate the parting sheet and patch faces for cavity and core
• sew the completed parting sheets to the cavity and core regions,
respectively
• the sewn sets serve as trim sheets for the cavity and core blocks
This method is applicable to both solid models and surface models.
Mold Tools
Tools Overview
Mold Wizard offers a robust set of Mold Tools for parting preparation.
When a product model has holes or gaps in the "natural" parting, the mold
maker must define shut off or patch up faces.
It is necessary to define geometry in shut off areas for two reasons:
• NX requires a contiguous sheet to trim a workpiece to the core or cavity
contours.
• CAM requires geometry to position a cutter on the core or cavity steel.
Mold Tools provide several options to cover cases unsuitable for Auto Hole
Patch, which you used earlier.
Mold Tools may also be used for other modeling tasks.
Modeling icons are selectable only when the modeling application is
active.
Drag and drop your favorite modeling icons to the Mold Tools toolbar
using Customize.
Mold Tools
Patch Up
Overview
2 Many part designs include a hole or slot on the face of a part that requires a
shut-off.
Sheet patches are used to model the shut-off surface required to fill an
opening in a product model.
You create parting surfaces for internal openings with the following Sheet
Patch-Up tools:
• Surface Patch
• Edge Patch
• Existing Surface
• Enlarge Surface
• Trim Region Patch
Solid Patches are used to fill a void that will usually have multiple shut-off
faces, such as an opening with a snap-latch feature. The solid patch-up
method simplifies the product model by filling the opening. The bodies used
to fill the openings are automatically geometry-linked to the cavity and core
components and can be later united to define the desired shut-off.
Solid Patch-up bodies are created and formed by the following process:
• Use the Create Box icon to create the solid patch-box to fill the open area.
• Use the Split Solid or replace face function to trim the patch-box to fit the
product shape, or divide a solid into two associative pieces.
• Use the modeling Subtract function to fit the patch-box by subtracting the
product model from the patch-box with the Retain Tool option.
• Use the Profile Split function to extrude a profile of edges or curves and
use them to trim the patch-box.
• Use Trim Solid to create a box and trim or subtract in one operation.
• Use Replace Solid to create a box and replace faces in one operation.
When a patch-box has been completely shaped to match the product model
and form the desired shut-off faces, unite it to the product model with the
Solid Patch function. The patch-body is geometry-linked to the cavity and
core components on the patch-body layer category. The patch bodies can be
united to the cavity or core bodies as needed.
Mold Tools
Defaults
The Mold Wizard→Mold Tools customer defaults have a number of patch-up

related settings that you can customize, for example:
• Associativity default on or off 2
• Modeling tools tolerance
• Bounding box Default Clearance
• Enlarge sheet default (linear, natural)
• Cut to boundary option default on or off
• Default maximum value for enlarge sheet
Mold Tools
Surface Patch
The Surface Patch function is the easiest patching method to use. It’s used for
2 holes fully contained within a single face.
Clicking the Surface Patch icon displays the Select Face dialog. When a face
containing holes is selected, Mold Wizard searches for closed edge loops (the
holes) within the perimeter of the face, highlights each hole, and asks you
to select or deselect the highlighted holes for patching. The selected holes
are patched up automatically.
In Surface Patch, Mold Wizard extracts a copy of the underlying face
for each selected hole, then trims the copy to the hole edges.
The patch-up surfaces are copied to CAVITY_SURFACE layer 28
and CORE_SURFACE layer 27.
Mold Tools
Edge Patch
The Edge Patch function patches up an open area by selecting a curve/edge

loop. After selection, Mold Wizard creates a sheet to patch up the open area. 2
To use Edge Patch:
• Choose the Edge Patch icon.
Mold Wizard prompts you to select an edge/curve.
• Select an edge.
Mold Wizard displays the Curve/Edge Selection dialog and starts the
Traverse Loop menu.
• Select a loop.
Candidate faces to use to build the patch are highlighted. You can select or
deselect faces. Edge Patch creates a patch-up sheet based on the following:
– If all curves/edges of the loop are on the same plane, a bounded plane
is created.
– If the loop lies on a face, a surface patch-up algorithm is used.
– If the loop crosses two faces, a smart line is created between two faces.
Then Enlarge Surface is used to trim and sew the two patch surfaces
together.
The patch-up surfaces are copied to CAVITY_SURFACE layer 28

and CORE_SURFACE layer 27.
Mold Tools
Existing Surface
Sometimes the automated features of Surface Patch or Edge Patch are not
2 suited for a particular application, for example, when you are working with
imported file formats such as IGES, Parasolid, etc.
You can create a patch sheet manually using surface features or other
functions.
Once created, activate the Mold Tools toolbar and choose Existing Surface
where you’re prompted to select the surface you created (or another existing
surface you may wish to use).
These surfaces are copied to CAVITY_SURFACE layer 28 and
CORE_SURFACE layer 27.
When you create Core and Cavity they are highlighted automatically.
Mold Tools
Create Box
The Create Box function creates associative solids that you may later modify
into patch bodies for the Solid Patch parting method. 2
The patch-box is also a convenient way to create geometry for slide-faces or
lifter-heads.
Mold Tools provides several methods to shape this block to make a plug for
holes.
Create box offers two creation types.
• Object Bounding Box
• General Box
To create an object bounding box:

• Choose Create Box.
• Select faces on the product model that you want to be contained by the box.
• The Clearance dimension value determines the oversize of the box. You
can change the clearance value by dragging the face clearance handles to
change the temporary box or by entering a value in the clearance field.
• Choose Apply to create a solid block enveloping the faces that you selected.
• You can edit an existing box by editing the KF_BOUNDBOX feature.

The initial setting of the Clearance value is controlled in customer
defaults.
To create a general box:

• Choose Create Box.
• Choose the General Box type.
• Indicate a location for the block’s corner using the Snap Point options.
• The Edge Length values determine the overall size of the box. You can
change the length values by dragging the edge length handles or by
entering a value in the Edge Length field.
• Choose Apply to create a solid block.
• You can edit an existing box by editing the KF_BOUNDBOX feature.
Mold Tools
Activity: Surface, Edge, Existing Surface

You will use sheet patch methods to shut off several holes that we
added to a plastic drinking cup.
2
Step 1: Load the top level assembly patch_top_000 in patch_surf.
The hole through the conical faces traps a volume of
material that will not permit removal of the part.
To mold this hole we require a slider, a movable piece
in the mold that forms the hole during injection and is
withdrawn before the product is ejected.
Step 2: Surface Patch the hole in the flat face.
If necessary, choose Mold Tools.
Choose Surface Patch.
Choosing Surface Patch when in the top level assembly causes the
parting part to become the displayed part.
As you move the cursor over the graphics window, observe that
only faces with interior holes prehighlight.
Mold Tools
Select the outer bottom face of the cup.
A Select Holes dialog appears.

All detected holes are pre-selected. In this case there is only one
hole.
Choose OK in the Select Holes dialog.
A patch sheet is created.

Leave the Select Face dialog open.
If possible, the system extracts a bounded plane from the
hole edges. This sheet is the parent for core and cavity
patch sheets. The sheets are collected in a feature set.
Mold Tools
Select the interior conical face.
Choose OK in the Select Holes dialog.
A patch sheet is created.

For non planar faces the system extracts a sheet body, the
same as you would obtain using the tool Enlarge Surface.
This sheet is the parent for one or more core / cavity patch
sheet pairs, one pair for each hole being patched.
Cancel from Select Face.
Step 3: Delete a patch sheet.
Choose Parting/Patch Delete.
Select the conical patch face you created in the previous step.
Choose OK to delete the patch.
Use Mold Wizard functions to delete Mold Wizard features.

Mold Wizard knows which other features belong to its
features, such as the three sheets (original, cavity, and
core) belonging to patch sets. The Mold Wizard delete
functions will automatically remove unseen members of
the same group of features.
Mold Tools
Step 4: Patch a closed loop using Edge Patch.

If you did not open the original part model in step 2, please
open it now.
2
Choose Edge Patch.
Zoom in to the area illustrated below.
Enable Traverse by Face Color.
Select any edge in the core side edge loop illustrated above.
In the Traverse by Face Color mode, selecting any one edge of a

loop at the cavity/core color boundary will select the entire loop.
The three faces adjacent to the loop are highlighted. You are asked
to confirm or change the faces.
Choose OK.
The system should create a patch set with three faces that match
the "missing" geometry, as shown below:
Mold Tools
Step 5: Patch an open loop using Edge Patch

Zoom in to the area illustrated below.
This loop has no lower boundary, therefore a different selection

2 scheme must be employed.
Additionally, the rim of the cup is ideal to demonstrate using a free
form face as an Existing Surface type of sheet patch.
Choose Edge Patch.
Enable both Traverse by Face Color and End Edge.
Select one of the edges of the smallest blend at the upper end
as illustrated in the enlarged view below.
When selecting edges or curves for a chaining operation,

always select at the end from which you want chaining
to continue.
Select the corresponding edge at the other side of the opening.
Mold Tools
Choose Close Loop.
The system will find all edges at the core/cavity color boundary
between and including the two selected edges.
Choose OK in the Add or remove faces dialog to complete the
patch set.
The set should consist of three faces as illustrated; one large

conical face and two small toroidal sheets in the blend area:
Mold Tools
Step 6: Use Customize to add the Swept icon to the Mold Tools toolbar.
Choose Start→Modeling.
2
If necessary activate Mold Tools.
Choose Toolbar Options.
Choose Add or Remove Buttons and Customize.
In the Customize dialog choose the Commands tab.
On the Commands page in the Categories list select Surface.
From the Commands list drag the Swept icon to a position at

the right end of the Mold Tools toolbar.
Close the Customize dialog.
Mold Tools
Step 7: Create a free form sheet.

In this step you will create a free form Sweep, a sheet type often
used internally by Mold Wizard in the parting module.
Sweep has many powerful configurations. These are taught in 2
various self paced or instructor led free form classes.
You will use a simple sweep along one guide with two sections. You
will use adjacent faces to control the orientation of the surface.
Choose Swept.
For guide string 1 select the two edges shown below starting
from the left.
Choose OK to indicate that you are finished selecting guide

string 1.
Choose OK when prompted to select guide string 2 to indicate

that there are no more guide string selections.
Mold Tools
For section string 1 select only the left edge shown below at
the end illustrated.
Choose OK to indicate that there are no more curves for section

string 1.
A vector arrow will appear on section string one indicating the end
from which the string begins.
You must select the next string from the same end, otherwise the
sheet will be twisted.
For section string 2 select the right edge shown above at the
same end as you selected the other edge.
Choose OK to indicate that there are no more curves for section

string 2.
A vector arrow will appear on section string two indicating the

end from which the string begins. This arrow must point in the
same general direction (relative to the guide string) as the arrow
on string one.
Choose OK when prompted to select section string 3 to indicate
that there are no more strings to select.
Choose Linear interpolation.
Choose OK to accept the defaults for alignment and tolerance.
As the orientation method choose Face Normals.
Mold Tools
As the orientation faces select the two faces shown below.
Choose OK to indicate that there are no more orientation faces.
Choose Constant scaling.
Choose OK to accept the default scale factor 1.
Choose Create.
The sweep feature sheet is created.
Cancel all dialogs.
Mold Tools
Choose Start→Gateway.
To learn more about creating free form sheets, consider

2 taking the Mechanical Free Form class.
Step 8: Use Existing Surface.

From Mold Tools choose Existing Surface.
Select the new free form sheet, and OK.
The sheet will change color.

The original sheet is moved to the hidden object layer.
Associative copies are placed in the CORESURFACE and
CAVITYSURFACE layers.

Choose File→Save All.
You may choose to continue to use this assembly in the

next activity.
Mold Tools
Split Solid
The Split Solid function lets you break out a section of a cavity or core that
will be an insert or slide. 2
Selection Steps
A solid body or a sheet body can be selected as the body to be split, or target.
A face, solid, sheet, or datum plane can be selected as the tool which defines a
new boundary for the target body.
Dialog Options
Allow Non-Association controls whether non-associative methods are

available. Non-associative methods gain an advantage in reduced disk and
RAM memory requirements by sacrificing associative update capability.
If the Split by Face option is toggled on only solid faces can be selected as the
tool. With this option an enlarged surface is created from the selected face
allowing you to select to trim or split the target body with it. If the default
enlarged surface is not large enough to trim the solid body, the Enlarge
Surface function invokes automatically.
When the Split by Solid, Sheet, or Datum Plane is checked, a solid body, sheet
body, or plane can be selected as the tool to trim or split the target body.
Split by Principle Plane is the only option available when the Non-Associative
option is toggled.
The options X-Y Plane, Y-Z Plane, or Z-X Plane allow you to create a plane as
a tool in different directions at the origin of the WCS. The Point Constructor
button can be used to specify a point you want the plane you created moved to.
You can also select User Define Plane to display a plane definition dialog that
lets you define any plane to split the target solid.
Mold Tools
Trim Region Patch
The Trim Region Patch function models shut off faces for openings within
2 a product model.
Before beginning the trim region patch process the user must create a solid
patch body that fits the shut-off opening. The patch body must fill the opening
completely to form the shut-off faces.
The Trim Region Patch function procedure is as follows:
• Select the solid patch body.
• Select a loop of edges or curves around the shut-off opening. These edges
and curves must contact the patch solid.
• Accept the trim direction or flip the direction
• Faces from the patch solid are extracted and trimmed to form Patch faces.
A patch feature is created if the trimming operation is successful.

Trim patch regions are added to the cavity and core parting regions.
Mold Tools
Activity: Create Box and Solid Patch

You need to create a shut off in the hole that pierces the conical face.
The sheet body was unsuitable because it still leaves an unmoldable
cavity, and it is not useful for constructing the moving piece.
2
Step 1: Load the top assembly patch_top_000 in solid_patch.
If you prefer you may instead continue to use your patch assembly
from the previous activity.
Procedure to open a staged assembly:
Verify that no parts are open.
Verify that Application → Mold Wizard is active.
Load the top level assembly in the indicated folder.
Step 2: Create a patch block for the small circular opening in the conical
wall of the cup.
Before creating patch sheets or bodies you must display
the parting part. You can use assembly functions to do
this, or simply choose Parting.
Choose Parting to set the displayed part to the parting

component.
Close the Parting Manager.
If necessary, choose Mold Tools.
Choose Create Box.
In the Create Box dialog set the Default Clearance value to

0.125.
Mold Tools
Select and confirm the cylindrical face of the small hole.
OK is not active until you have selected at least one face.
As you select faces or change the Default Clearance the

current box shape is previewed in dashed lines.
Choose OK to indicate you are finished selecting faces.
A block is created encompassing the volume of the face you

selected.
Mold Tools
Step 3: Trim the block to exactly fill the hole.
Choose Split Solid from Mold Tools.

2
As the Target Body select and confirm the new block.
The Cue reads "Select face."

Be certain that Split by Face is active, and that Allow
Non-Association is inactive.
Mold Tools
As the Tool Body select the same cylindrical face as you

did in the previous step where you defined the block.
2
Choose OK to trim the block.
Mold Tools
If the trim preview displays a cylinder, and the normal

indicator vector points away from the volume you want to keep
(inside the hole), choose OK.
If the trim preview showed a block with a hole through it and the
indicator arrow were pointing the wrong way you would choose
Flip Trim.
If you wanted to retain both pieces you would choose Split.
The cue line prompts again for a surface to split the solid.
Mold Tools
Select the outer conical face of the cup.
Choose OK.
Again, the preview and trim direction indicator should be in the

correct direction.
Choose OK to trim the side indicated.
Select and confirm the inner conical face of the cup.
Choose OK.
This time the indicator should be pointing outward, the wrong

direction.
Choose Flip Trim to remove extra material inside the cup.
Choose Cancel to exit from the Split Solid operation.
Mold Tools
Shading the view will make the solid visible.
Create Box creates a KF object (Knowledge Fusion object)

and a sweep feature. The KF object and sweep combination
provides full associativity between the patch block and
the faces selected.
Split Solid trim sheets are created in the layer named
HIDENOBJECT.
The layer and name for the Hidden Object layer are set in the
mold_defaults file.
Avoid making the hidden object layer visible or selectable.
When you use Create Box:

Be careful to pick enough faces to define the volume
you want, but avoid picking unnecessary faces. Two
faces are sometimes enough; occasionally only one is
required.
Be careful to pick all faces for which associative update

is desirable!
The system will create a block oriented to orthogonal

to the Mold that encloses the faces you select.
"Extra" volume is determined by the Tolerance setting

in the Tools dialog.
Mold Tools
Step 4: Create a Solid Patch.
Choose Solid Patch.

2 Select the cup body as the target solid.
Select the patch block as a tool solid.
The solid patch is created immediately.
Cancel the Select Tool Solid dialog.
For each tool solid, the system:

moves the body into the PatchBody Layer (25)
creates an extract body
unites the extracted body to the target solid
If the product model changes, trim sheets update the

original body. Then extracted bodies update. The extracted
bodies are united to the parting body, so it too updates.
It is up to you, the tool designer, to use an appropriate

Boolean operation to compensate for geometry removed
from the product model by Solid Patch.
The system will place a WAVE linked body for each tool
solid into the PatchBody layer in both core and cavity
parts. This automatic linking makes it easy for you
to compensate for the material volume associatively.
Typically, you will unite the copies to a tooling body in your
choice of the core or cavity part.

From the Menu Bar choose File→Close→Save All and Close.
Mold Tools
Activity: Boolean Operations

The pen cap has 12 windows that must be patched before you can
trim core and cavity inserts. The window edges are shared between
multiple faces, therefore the face cannot be patched with Surface
Patch.
2
Auto Patch works but it is tedious to repeat the face confirmation
twelve times.
In this case, Solid Patch is an efficient method to use.
You will compensate for missing geometry due to a solid patch by
working with a linked body in the core part.
Step 1: Create a project for mdp_cap.
First Part .../cap/mdp_cap

Project default (mdp_cap)
Name
Mold Csys default
Material ABS
Work Piece default
Layout Auto Center
Next 00
Number
Step 2: Prepare the part for tooling design.

Before creating patch sheets or bodies you must display
the parting part. You can use assembly functions to do
this, or simply choose Parting.
Mold Tools

component.
2 Verify that mdp_cap_parting_017 is now the displayed part.
If necessary choose Mold Tools.
Choose Create Box.
Change the Default Clearance to 0.05.
If the Default Clearance value exceeds the above value you

will not be able to complete the activity without additional
trimming steps.
Select:
• the inner face containing the window openings
• the small inner face nearest the top of the cap
Choose OK to end selection.
Mold Tools
A block is created surrounding the material volume defined by the

faces you selected.
With multiple faces and complex geometry it is very fast to

use a Boolean subtract to shape the patch body.
The current topology presents a problem for this approach.

A Subtract at this stage would divide the patch block into
more than one piece.
When Subtract divides a body into multiple pieces, it
causes all parameters to be removed. In our scenario, we
specify that we want to maintain full associativity, thus,
we need an approach that retains parameters.
We can avoid trouble by trimming the rectangular patch
body to the largest inside diameter of the part before we
subtract.
Step 3: Trim the patch block to the interior shape of the pen cap.
Choose Split Solid.
As the Target Body select the block you just created.
Mold Tools
Choose Split by Face.
Remove the outer material by selecting the inner face

containing the windows as the Tool Body.
2 Select the same face you used to define the patch block.
Choose OK.
The enlarge sheet dialog appears.

Change the Maximum Percentage to 500.
Notice that the U direction is closed. Do not touch the U

direction control. Make certain that the All option is off.
Slide the V controls to approximately 400 until the cone

extends past both ends of the block.
Choose OK to accept the UV values and trim the patch body.
Choose OK to confirm the trim direction.
Cancel the dialog.
The trimmed block should now resemble a truncated cone.
Mold Tools
Step 4: Use Subtract to complete the patch body.

Choose Insert→Combine Bodies→Subtract.
You could drag this and several other useful Modeling

functions to the Mold Tools toolbar. Note that the functions
will be available only when Modeling is active.
Make certain that the Retain Tool option is active.
Mold Tools
Select the smaller cone shaped patch body as target.
Select the pen cap body as the tool.
Once both a target and tool are selected, OK and Apply become
available.
Choose OK.
Mold Tools
The patch body should be trimmed to fill the inside of the model
with no interior pockets.
Molded Part Validation will later confirm that there are no faces
trapped between the patch and the parting body.
Choose Start→Gateway.
Step 5: Use the patch body to create shut off faces in the windows.
Choose Solid Patch.
Select the larger, outer pen cap body as target solid, and the
smaller interior patch body as tool.
Choose Cancel to dismiss the selection dialog.
Mold Tools
The unite operation performed by Solid Patch removes several

faces from the core region of the parting part. These removed faces
will not appear in the core tooling when it is initially created. You
must plan to compensate.
2
Mold Wizard will make linked copies of the original patch body,
now in layer 25, in the core and cavity parts. You can use this
knowledge to complete your plan to replace the removed faces.
The following steps give you a preview of the actions necessary to
replace the missing faces in the core workpiece. This will help you
to fully understand what you accomplish by uniting a patch body.
Step 6: Define the core and cavity faces.
Choose Parting.
Choose Design Regions.
Choose OK to accept the default body and orientation.
On the Region page verify that there are no unknown, vertical,

or crossover faces.
Choose Set Regions Color.
Cancel the dialog.
Choose Extract Regions and Parting Lines.
Mold Tools
Verify that the default options MPV Regions and Extract

Parting Lines are active.
Choose OK.
Region features will be created.
Step 7: Create the parting surface.
Choose Create/Edit Parting Surfaces.
Mold Tools
Enter 8.0 in the Distance window.
The Parting Surface dialog appears.
Make sure that Bounded Plane is the active selection.
Choose OK to create a single parting surface.
Fit the view to see the parting face.
Mold Tools
Step 8: Complete the core and cavity bodies.
Choose Create Cavity and Core.
Choose Auto Cavity Core.

2
Choose Continue in the No Patch Surface warning dialog.
The cavity and core inserts are trimmed to the current parting
sheet.
Cancel from Core & Cavity.
Step 9: Display the core component.

Use Window to display mdp_cap_core_013 (the numeric suffix
may vary).
In its current state the core body looks like this:
Step 10: Compensate for geometry removed by Solid Patch.
Mold Tools
The missing faces appear. You are seeing a Wave linked body
that Mold Wizard has automatically created and associated to the
2 original patch block you created.
Unite the two bodies:
Make certain that Retain Tool is not selected.
You do not need to retain the extra body in layer 25.
Select the larger, lower, core body as the target.
Select the smaller, upper, green linked body as the tool.
Mold Tools
This completes the plan you made to compensate for faces removed
from the parting part by the patch body.
The core section is well suited to machine with a lathe.
Step 11: Save your work. 2

From the menu bar choose File→Close→Save All and Close.
Mold Tools
Solid Patch
The Solid Patch function is a method to model shut-off features on open areas
2 on the parting part.
Solid Patch is an alternative to modeling surfaces for shut-offs. Solid Patch is
most useful when it’s easier to form a solid to fill an opening than to model
sheets.
The procedure to use solid patch:
• model a solid that fits the opening on the parting part and also has the
faces with correct angles for shut-offs
• use the Solid Patch function to unite the shut-off patch body to the parting
part model
The Solid Patch function creates a copy of the solid patch body in the cavity
and core models on layer 25. Where appropriate, you can unite the solid patch
body to the core or cavity body. In some cases, it is preferable to use the patch
body as an insert rather than unite it to the cavity or core insert.
When using solid patch, be very careful not to create internal empty
volumes inside the part. The geometry of internal empty volumes will
not appear in any piece of tooling.
You may not be able to use Solid Patch because the unite operation
fails. This can be caused by a non-manifold problem. If so, you might
correct the problem by offsetting some faces of the original tool solid
a very small distance. (Typically less than the modeling distance
tolerance.)
You should check the solid patch-up area after the Solid Patch
operation. If the geometry was not modeled exactly to fit, there could
be small gaps after the unite operation. Later, you may face problems
when you extract regions.
Mold Tools
Profile Split
The Profile Split function is used to split a solid with a set of curves. It can be
used to create sub inserts from the core and cavity inserts. 2
The procedure for Profile Split is as follows:
• Select a target solid body (usually the cavity or core block).
• Select a loop of curves/edges.
• Specify the extrude direction. An extruded surface is created.
You can control the extrude distance by typing in values or dragging the
sliders in the Extrude Distance dialog.
+ distance: extrude distance in specified direction
– distance: extrude distance opposite the specified direction
Mold Tools
Enlarge Surface
The Enlarge Surface function is used to extract surfaces from the shrinkage
2 body and enlarge them by controlling the U and V sizes. This allows you to
dynamically patch up holes using the U and V sliders.
The Mold Wizard Enlarge function is not the same as the free form
function. Extra features appear on the dialog.
There are two methods to extend the edges of the enlarge feature:
• Linear - Extends the edges of the enlarge sheet linearly.
• Natural - Extends the edges of the enlarge sheet by following the natural
curve of the edges.
When you select Enlarge Face from the Mold Tools toolbar, Mold Wizard asks
you to select a face. A slightly larger copy of the face is created. This copy
may have slightly different UV parameterization than the original. Certain
face types, such as spheres, might have a hole in the center.
Maximum Percentage
The Maximum Percentage value for the sliders can be set up to 2000%. This
value can be changed during editing of the enlarge surface feature. Press
Enter to apply the change.
All Option
All of the sliders will move simultaneously, retaining their existing percentage
ratios between each other.
Trimming the Enlarged Surface
Another common use for Enlarge Surface is to create associative parting

sheets when there is a surface in the part that can be used for a single contour
parting. You can select boundary curves/edges or boundary faces to trim
the enlarged surface.
As Existing Surface
When on, the enlarged surface becomes an existing surface which is copied
and used for core and cavity later.
Mold Tools
Activity: Enlarge Surface

The case6 part has a contoured parting. You will use Enlarge Surface
to create a natural parting face that precisely follows the contour
of the product.
2
Step 1: Create a product tooling assembly for mdp_case6.
First Part .../case6/mdp_case6

Project default (mdp_case6)
Name
Mold Csys default
Material ABS
Work Piece default
Layout Auto Center
Next 00
Number
Step 2: Create a parting face.

This action is only to enable Undo if it is needed later.
If you enter the Modeling application after performing

some Mold Wizard operations, the Undo list will be
truncated when you enter modeling.
Choose Mold Tools.
Choose Enlarge Surface.
Do not confuse Mold Wizard’s Enlarge Surface with Edit

→ Surface → Enlarge. The Mold Wizard Enlarge Surface
function has several additional options.
Mold Tools
Select the narrow face shown in the figure below.
Verify that both Cut to Boundary and As Existing Surface

are on.
Mold Tools
Toggle the All option to off to permit independent control of

the slide controls.
Move the sliders to minimum values.
Use the arrow keys to move the active slider by one per
cent at a time.
When the sliders are adjusted correctly, choose OK to create

the enlarged sheet.
Mold Tools
Do not be concerned if the surface appears too small. You

will soon practice editing it.
Step 3: Adjust the enlarged surface.

2 Make layer 20 Selectable.
Change the Rendering Style to Static Wireframe.
Orient View to Top.
This enables you to see the work piece insert parent body while
you adjust the enlarged face. It is important to be able to judge
when the face is large enough to trim the work piece.
If you did not exceed the suggested UV values, it should be
apparent that the surface just enlarged does not extend beyond the
edges of the work piece.
The face is a parametric feature. We can easily edit the U and V
values we entered until it reaches an appropriate size.
Activate the Part Navigator in Timestamp Order.
Recall that you should be in the Modeling application.
Mold Tools
Double-click on the icon for the Feature Set (18) "Patch".
The time stamp number may vary from the example.
The Sets of Features dialog appears.
Mold Tools
Toggle Hide Feature Set Members to off (unchecked).
Choose OK.
The list in the part navigator is included to show the component

features of the patch.
Model features that are positioned, suppressed, or deleted
together may be collected into a single Feature Set:
Format→Group Features.
Mold Wizard makes use of feature sets to maintain a well
organized feature tree.
Mold Tools
Activate the MB3 menu over Enlarge (14). (The time stamp
number may vary from the example.)
Notice that there are two edit options.

In many cases there is a subtle difference between edit
options.
The option in bold is the default double-click action, Edit
with Rollback. This takes the model back to the condition
before the feature was created.
In this case, the dialog you would see if you choose Edit
with Rollback has no slider controls, so you would have to
key in values until you saw the sheet size you wanted.
Choose Edit→Parameters.
The Enlarge dialog opens.

This is a modeling dialog. Notice the many differences from the
Mold Wizard enlarge dialog.
Mold Tools
Use the slider bars to edit the Min and Max values until the
enlarged face is larger than the block, (Approximately 12% in
the U directions, 42% in the V directions).
Choose OK.
Mold Tools
In the Part Navigator there is one Trimmed Sheet feature

and two Extracted Body features following the enlarge
feature. These features are the result of As Existing
Surface being enabled.
Mold Wizard automatically placed the extracted copies 2
into the core and cavity layers, one copy to each of the two
layers, and identified them for future use.
With this particular contour the sheet body you created will
create a smooth parting with no steps or discontinuities.
If we use the normal parting method of extruding edges,
the results, while certainly workable, would not be as easy
to machine and maintain as this face.

Choose File→Close→Save All and Close.
Mold Tools
Trim Solid
The Trim Solid function is used to patch up an opening that is more complex
2 which requires trimming to multiple faces. This tool combines the Create Box
and trimming functions in a single operation.
The following selection types are available for defining the trim box.
• Selecting faces
• Selecting sheet bodies
• Selecting defined manufacturing geometry
Trim Solid by Face

The Face type allows selection of desired faces of a body. When the face type
is active, several face selection methods become available.
• Concave – finds all the concave faces adjacent to the selected face.
• Convex – finds all the convex faces adjacent to the selected face.
• Manual – selects faces one by one.

When using the concave or convex selection methods, defining seed
and boundary faces can be used to further control the amount of
faces selected.
Trim Solid by Sheet Body

When you use the Sheet Body method, any predefined surface or region may
be selected.
Trim Solid by Defined

The Defined method is used for creating an electrode model when
manufacturing geometry is available.
Mold Tools
Create Bounding Box
The bounding box is automatically created by enveloping the selected

geometry whether the selection method was set to Face, Sheet Body, or 2
Defined. A separate dialog is available for additional control over the size
of the bounding box.
Activating the Create Bounding Box dialog allows choices between the default
Bounding Box and Existing Box.
• Bounding Box provides creation by enveloping the selected target faces
and adding a user defined offset amount called Clearance. Each face of
the box can have its clearance amount adjusted dynamically via the Edit
Bounding Box option.
• Existing Box allows for the selection of a predefined bounding box or an

existing solid body.
Creation Methods
Sheet Body always uses the Trim creation method. The Face and Defined
selection methods can create the trim box three different ways.
• Trimming the box using the selected target faces with the option to switch
the trim direction.
• Subtracting the trim box using the target solid.
• Keeping an extracted region of the target faces and keeping the trim box.
This is typically used when the Trim or Subtract creation methods are
unsuccessful.
Mold Tools
Replace Solid
The Replace Solid function is used to create a patch body by creating
2 a bounding box and then matching selected geometry. This tool uses
functionality similar to the direct modeling Replace Face function.
Mold Tools
Extend Solid
The Extend Solid function is used to enlarge a body by dragging an existing
solid face. 2
There are two methods to extending a solid face:
• Offset – Extends the face while maintaining the design intent of the
adjacent faces.
• Extrude – Extends the face while extruding the face edges with or without
draft.
Mold Tools
Reference Blend
The Reference Blend function is used to associatively inherit the radius value
2 from an existing face and create a new blend feature on selected edges.
The procedure for using Reference Blend is as follows:
• Select the existing blend face.
• Select the edges to be blended.
A new blend feature is created with an expression linked to the existing face
selected.
Mold Tools
Activity: Trim Solid, Replace Solid, and Reference Blend

The connect1 part has an interior window that needs to be shut-off.
You will use Trim Solid, Replace Solid, and Reference Blend to create
a patch body to shut-off the opening.
2
Step 1: Create a product tooling assembly for connect1.
First Part .../connect/connect1

Units default (Millimeter)
Project default (connect1)
Name
Mold Csys default
Material ABS
Work Piece default
Layout Auto Center
Next 00
Number
Step 2: Create the first trim solid.

component.
Verify that connect1_parting_017 is now the displayed part.
Choose Mold Tools.
Choose Trim Solid.
Verify that Face and Concave are set for the selection methods.
Set the Search Level to 3.
Mold Tools
Select:
• the inner face under the clip overhang.
2 • the narrow inner face opposite the clip overhang.
Notice that a preview block is constructed as you select faces.

Also notice that additional faces are automatically selected.
The choice and number of faces automatically selected corresponds
to the Concave option and the Search Level.
Verify that the trim direction vector is pointing outward.
Choose OK to create the trim solid.
Mold Tools
A block is created and trimmed to the faces selected.
Mold Tools
Step 3: Create a second solid to remove the volume shown below.
Choose Replace Solid.
Verify that Bounding Box Face and Replace Reverse Face

options are set.
Mold Tools
Select the two faces shown below.
Verify that the body preview looks like the picture below.
Choose OK to create the solid.
Mold Tools
Subtract the smaller new body from the existing patch body,
leaving this shape:
Mold Tools
Step 4: Use Reference Blend to add radii to the trim solid patch body.
Choose Reference Blend.
As the Reference Face select the cylindrical blend face at the

2
top of the trim solid.
Click MB2 to advance to the Edges selection step.
Mold Tools
Select the unblended edges around the top of the trim solid.
Choose OK to complete the blend.
The patch body could now be used with Solid Patch or Trim
Region Patch to complete the cavity and core creation.

Mold Tools
Summary
Mold Wizard provides a versatile range of tools for creating shut off geometry.
In this lesson you:
• Identified holes requiring patch up and selected an appropriate method
2
from Auto Hole Patch, Surface Patch, Edge Patch, Existing Surface,
Enlarge Surface, Trim Region Patch.
• Used patches to create shut off geometry.
• Previewed compensating in a tooling part for faces removed by patch

body from the parting part.
• Used Enlarge Surface to create a sheet suitable for use as user defined
parting.
• Used the Trim Solid and Reference Blend tools to create a patch body.
2
Lesson
3 Cavity Layout
Purpose 3
In this lesson you will learn how to manage tooling assemblies for molds
containing two or more identical or related products.
Objective

• Use Cavity Layout to arrange work piece inserts.
• Use Cavity Layout to create a circular array of mold inserts.
• Remove an unwanted subassembly.
Cavity Layout
Cavity Layout
Family molds or multiple cavity molds include two or more workpiece inserts
within the mold base.
Cavity Layout provides tools for easy positioning of multiple workpieces
relative to each other in the mold.
Use Initialize Project exactly once for each product in the mold. Use
3 Cavity Layout to create Multiple instances of products.
Rectangular Layout
Within Rectangle configurations inserts may be positioned as Balanced or

Linear.
In Circular configurations they may be oriented Radial or Constant.
Automatic Rectangular Layouts
Procedure
• Choose Balance or Linear
• Select a number of cavities (2 or 4)
• Optionally enter offset distances
• Choose Start Layout
• Choose a direction
There are two "automatic" rectangular configurations, 2 cavity and 4 cavity.
Cavity Layout
2 Cavity Layout
The workpiece is offset in a user selected direction. If Balance is enabled, the
second instance is rotated 180 from the first.
Inserts may be separated by a gap. The value entered in the 1ST Dist window
governs gap. A zero value means the inserts will touch.
The example below shows two results for a 2 cavity layout. In each case we
selected the vector indicated by the arrow at the left. The result in the center
of the diagram is Linear. The result at the right of the diagram is Balanced.
The same gap, or 1ST Dist., was used for both examples. 3
(1) Select any one of 4 offset directions
(2) Optional Gap, 1ST Dist.
(3) 2 Cavity, linear
(4) 2 Cavity, Balanced
Cavity Layout
4 Cavity Layout
Select the first direction. The second direction is
always 90 degrees counterclockwise from the selected
vector, like the Y+ (second) axis to the X+ (first) axis.
(1) Select First Direction from Four Choices
Second Direction (2) is 90 degrees Counterclockwise from the first

direction selected
Cavity Layout
Plus or minus offset distances for gaps or overlaps may be entered.

Balance causes a copy of the insert in the first direction to be "flipped", just as
with two cavity. The third and fourth inserts are translated from the first pair.
The original insert is at the upper left corner of the diagram. The "downward"
vector is the direction. 1ST Dist is zero, 2ND Dist. is a small positive number.
(1) Offset direction
(2) direction chosen, rotated 180 degrees (balanced), zero gap (1ST Dist.)
(3) and (4) 90 degrees CCW from direction chosen, translation with no
rotation, gap (2ND Dist.)
(5) 2ND Dist. is a small plus value
(6) gap (2ND Dist.)
Cavity Layout
Circular Layout
Procedure
• Choose Radial or Constant
• Enter Cavity Number, the total number of inserts
• Enter Start Angle from absolute X+
• Enter Rotate Angle for the total angle between all instances
3
• Enter Radius from absolute (0,0,0) to the reference point on the first
instance
• Choose Start Layout
• Identify a Reference Point
Circular layouts are almost completely user defined. Mold Wizard does
compute the angle between individual instances, given a start angle, total
angle, and number of instances.
Cavity Layout
The Reference Point has to be considered carefully to understand what will

happen. We will give some straightforward examples of arrays where the
reference point is simply Absolute (0,0,0). Examples of the effect of choosing a
different reference point will follow later.
Circular arrays are always built about the absolute coordinate system
(ACS) of the layout part. When you load new product and faithfully
remember to set the mold coordinate system, the ACS of the product
is transformed to the ACS of the layout part.
Radial and Constant 3

The Radial option orients components by rotation about the selected center
point. The Constant option maintains the same orientation as the original
insert at each position.
The first instance is always oriented exactly the same as it was before the
array was created, even when a start angle is specified.
Cavity Number
This is the total number of cavities, including the one you started with.
Start Angle
Angle with absolute X+ where the first instance will be positioned.
Rotate Angle
Total angle from the first instance to the last. The system will automatically
calculate the angle between individual instances.
Radius
The distance to move the first instance from the Absolute origin point along
the direction specified by the start angle to the new location of the reference
point.
Cavity Layout
A radial pattern of five inserts, radially located to the center of each insert.
Cavity Number = 5 (1) thru (5)
Start Angle = 0
End Angle = 360
Reference Point = (0, 0, 0)
3 Before Array (6)
Radius (7)
Cavity Layout
A constant pattern of three inserts over 120, radially located to the center of
each insert.
Before Array (4)
Start Angle = 45 degrees (5)
Rotate Angle = 120 degrees (6) 3

Radius (7)
Reference Point = (0, 0, 0)
Reference Point
The two previous examples use the center of the insert as the point to which
the array is dimensioned. We need to consider a reference point on the part
cavity to which we will dimension our array.
Think of making a drawing of our circular layout of inserts. We have a point
on the cavity (or insert) in mind as the end point of a radius line, where the
length of the line represents the array radius, and the angle of the line with
the X+ axis represents the start angle.
The array is always built around the Absolute Origin, rotating with
counterclockwise as the positive direction. How, then, do we control exact
placement of a member of the array? The solution is to select a reference
point on the part cavity!
When you select a reference point on the cavity, the system first translates the
cavity and workpiece FROM the reference point TO absolute (0,0). Then, the
cavity is transformed from that location according to the array parameters
you entered.
Cavity Layout
A radial pattern of 6 inserts, radially located about a Reference Point on

the cavity.
Before Array (4)
Start Angle =0 degrees
Rotate Angle = 360 degrees

3
Radius (7)
Selected Reference Point is moved to Absolute 0, 0 (8)
Cavity Layout
Insert Pocket
When Insert Pocket is chosen, a typical Standard Parts type of dialog will
appear. The interaction of this type of dialog is discussed later in the class.
Pocket Type
Four different styles of pocket are supported.
Cavity Layout
Reposition Methods
Positioning of one or more inserts can be modified using Reposition functions.

There are three options for manual control over product sub assemblies
within a mold base layout. Rotate, Transform and Remove all operate on
whichever products are selected, or highlighted.
Auto Center automatically repositions the entire layout.
3 Rotate
The Rotate Cavity dialog features Move and Copy radio buttons, a slider
control to dynamically rotate the cavity about a center point, a numeric input
window for exact value entries, and a Set Rotate Center button. Set Rotate
Center opens the Point Subfunction dialog to pick a center point.
In the current release the default Rotate setting is Copy. When you
need to move a cavity please be sure that you first select the Move
option.
Transform
The Translate dialog also has Move and Copy radio buttons, and two slider
controls to dynamically position an insert in X or Y. The X and Y input
windows allow precise values to be input. In these windows, and the rotate
input window, use the Enter key to immediately see the effect of your numeric
entry. The From Point To Point button functions in the same manner as all
NX transformations. You pick first at a point you want to move, and second at
the position to which you want the first point to go.
In the current release the default Translate setting is Copy. When
you need to move a cavity please be sure that you first select the
Move option.
Remove
Remove will remove an instance of the highlighted part from your layout, but
only if there is more than one instance present.
Auto Center
Auto Center causes the system to automatically position the geometric center
of the current layout, as viewed in the XY plane, to the Absolute (0,0) of the
layout sub assembly. This position corresponds to the center of the mold base,
where the XY plane is the principal parting, and the Z+ axis is the direction
the moving half of the mold travels when opening the mold.
Cavity Layout
Activity: Circular Layout

In this activity you will again open your hub assembly and create a
circular layout similar to the illustration below.
Step 1: Load the mdp_hub_top_000 assembly from hub_layout and start

Application → Modeling.
Entering the modeling application now guarantees that Undo will
be available if you need it.
We require the "lug" to face the center of the array. The lug
currently lies along YC-; therefore, we want to translate
the part along YC+. XC+ is 0, thus our Start Angle
(measured counterclockwise) is 90.
(1) We want to move this feature along YC+, so that it “points

toward” the mold base origin.
Cavity Layout
The arc centers of the inserts must lie on a 8.0 inch diameter
circle, 6 cavities equally spaced. This dictates 4.0 as the
Radius, and 6 as the Cavity Number.
You could calculate the required layout parameters using the

information in the above illustration.
Cavity Layout
Step 2: Create a circular layout.

Orient View to Top and zoom out enough to view the proposed
layout.
Choose Cavity Layout.
Enable the Circular option. Radial should be enabled by

default.
3
Enter the parameters shown in the chart:
Cavity Number 6
Start Angle 90
Rotate Angle 360
Radius 4.0
Cavity Layout
When the values are entered, choose Start Layout.

Since the dimension for the radius is given to the center of the
insert, choose Arc/Ellipse/Sphere Center, and then select either
the upper or lower circular edge of the insert.
Cavity Layout
Fit the view.

When you chose 90 as the Start Angle you specified YC+ as
the direction that the original part was translated 4 units (the
radius) to position the first member of the circular array. the
direction was YC+ because the start angle, 90 in this case, is
measured counterclockwise from XC+.
Rotate Angle is 360 because you want the six inserts to occupy
a complete circle. The system calculates the incremental angle
between instances as rotate angle/number of instances, or
360/6 = 60 degrees in this case. The instances are spaced 60
3
degrees apart.
As soon as you choose a reference point the system creates the
layout specified.
Choose Cancel to exit the dialog.
Optionally, Undo your work, and experiment with different

circular array parameters. This project is not needed again.
Please Close all parts when the allotted time for the activity
period has passed.
Cavity Layout
Summary
NX Mold Wizard provides useful tools to create and configure family and
multiple cavity molds. When you have multiple products, only one is the
active product, or, the target for various NX Mold Wizard functions. When
you have multiple instances of one product, remember to use Cavity Layout
rather than Initialize Project to create additional instances.
In this lesson you:
3 • Used Cavity Layout to create a circular layout.
Lesson
4 Family Molds
Purpose
In this lesson you will learn how to manage tooling assemblies for molds
containing two or more identical or related products.
Objective
4
• Use Initialize Project in an existing tooling assembly to create a family
mold.
• Use Family Mold to select a member product as the target for Mold
Wizard’s utilities.
• Use Cavity Layout to arrange work piece inserts.
• Remove an unwanted subassembly.
Family Molds
Family Mold
Related products are commonly formed in a single injection mold.
Functions intended to operate on a specific part or related files are called
part specific operations:
• Shrinkage
• Work Piece
• Parting
The part that has the focus of attention for various functions is called the
4 active part.
Moldbases and some Standard Parts such as support columns are
not part specific. These operations are not affected by which part
model is active.
Initialize Project
When you choose Initialize Project with a Mold Wizard "top" assembly
already open, a "prod" sub assembly for the new product is created below
the "layout" node.
• The "_layout" sub assembly may contain one or more product sub
assemblies.
• Each product has the same sub-assembly structure.
Remove Family Member
Remove Family Member is used to remove a product from the family mold.
This function will remove all the assembly components (shrink, parting, core,
cavity, etc.) related to the selected product .
Initialize Project and Mold CSYS
When a family part is loaded, it will use the Mold CSYS of the currently
active part.
Family Molds
Activity: Family Mold Project - Toy Shapes

In this project you will add several products to a NX Mold Wizard tooling
assembly.
(1) mdp_cir
(2) mdp_sqar
(3) mdp_star
(4) mdp_hex
A standard layout at your company consists of four 7x7x2 insert sets.
Locate the parting .875 inches above the bottom of the lower core
insert, leaving 1.125 inches for the cavity side Z dimension.
Family Molds
Step 1: Create a new "toys" project.
First Part ... / family / mdp_cir

Units default (inch)
Project Name toys
Material ABS
(top level)
Next 00
Number
Name Rule <PROJECT_NAME>_circle_
(product <TEMPLATE_NAME>_???
4 level)
Next 10
Number
Remember to Set All Names and verify that the operation

will create the names you want.
Any time that you initialize more than one assembly in

your session the trailing numbers in part names will begin
where the last assembly left off.
Use Part Name Management to reset all top assemblies to
start with zero.
Step 2: Load a second part.
Use the Initialize Project icon. Choose mdp_sqar.
The Part Name Management dialog appears.
Name Rule <PROJECT_NAME>_square_
Family Molds
(product level) <TEMPLATE_NAME>_???

Next Number 19
Use the Assembly Navigator to verify your assembly structure

and names.
4
Step 3: Create an insert for the currently active part.
The two products are currently positioned at the same coordinates.
You will create inserts for each, and then line up the edges of the
inserts as shown below:
Family Molds
The displayed part changes to the parting for the square shape.
The last product loaded will always be the active part until
you change it.
The default dimensions X_length and Y_length conveniently

default to 7 inches for the square product.
Adjust the Work Piece Dimensions:
Type:
4 Z_down...............0.875
Z_up..................1.125
Choose OK.
In a few moments the insert appears.
Family Molds
Step 4: Create an insert for the circle part.
Choose the Family Mold icon.
Highlight mdp_cir and choose OK.

Choose Family Mold at any time to confirm the currently
active product.
Again, adjust the Work Piece Dimensions:

Type:
4
Z_down...............0.875
Z_up...................1.125
Choose OK.
Step 5: Position the circle and square inserts.
Choose the Cavity Layout icon.
Fit the view to see clearly where the system has placed both
inserts.
The circle part and insert are highlighted. It does not matter
which part you move. Eventually, you will use Auto Center to
position your entire layout at the mold center.
Choose Transform in the Cavity Layout dialog.
Change the option to Move.
Move the sliders, enter values, or use From Point To Point to

reposition the insert.
The highlighted body shows the "current destination" of
the part if you accept the values shown in the dialog.
When using Point to Point ignore the highlighted body.

Choose points on the original, non-highlighted body.
After a brief period of experimentation with the sliders it should

be clear that the correct translation is 7.0 in X and 0.0 in Y.
Family Molds
Choose OK when the inserts are positioned as shown below.
4
Step 6: Load the remaining toy shape products, create and position inserts.
For hex:
Name Rule <PROJECT_NAME>_hex

(product level) _<TEMPLATE_NAME>_???
Next Number 28
For star:
Name Rule <PROJECT_NAME>_star

(product level) _<TEMPLATE_NAME>_???
Next Number 37
Make certain all four product inserts are the same size,
7x7. One or both of the last two inserts will default to
a different size.
Make certain that all Z_up and Z_down values are set the
same as the first two inserts.
Family Molds
Your final toy tooling assembly structure should look like this:
Step 7: Complete and center the layout.

4
Position the newly added inserts as shown:
Auto Center the layout.

Family Molds
Removing the only instance of a product

The Cavity Layout function is not designed to remove the only instance of a
product from a Mold Wizard assembly.
Procedure:
• Make the layout part the
Work Part.
• For the product you want to delete, close all product related parts. Use
the Assembly Navigator, Close → Assembly over the product node you
intend to remove.
Removed component parts still open in memory would reappear on disk
after a Save All.
4
• Remove the "prod" component from your Layout sub assembly.
– Again place the cursor over the product component you want to
remove in the Assembly Navigator.
– Choose MB3→Delete.
– A warning will appear that component(s) will be removed, but the

parts will not be deleted.
• Remove the "prod" part and its child parts from your project directory
using Delete Files.
• Save All
If you had not closed unwanted parts from memory they would reappear
in your project directory at this point.
Delete Files may also used to delete unwanted standard parts.
Family Molds
Delete Files
Delete Files lists part files in the project directory that are not included in the
design assembly and not currently open.
If you place the files in a recycle bin it automatically creates a recycle bin
directory in the current project directory. You can select and remove part
files from the project directory directly or move them into the recycle bin
directory. Later, if you need the parts, you can restore them from this recycle
bin. You can also empty the recycle bin when you are ready to permanently
delete those parts.
Switch to Recycle Bin / Switch to Project Directory toggles to

list all of the files in the recycle bin directory or all of the closed
part files in the project directory that do not belong to the current 4
project assembly. The name of the button changes appropriately.
Delete From Project Directory deletes unused files from the file
system directly. These files cannot be restored.
Put Into Recycle Bin Puts the selected files into a recycle bin
directory in the project folder.
Restore From Recycle Bin restores selected files from the

project recycle bin to the project directory.
Empty Recycle Bin permanently deletes all files in the project

recycle bin from the file system.
Family Molds
Activity: Remove a Product and Delete Related Parts
In this activity you will remove the star component from a copy of the toys
assembly, and delete mdp_star and all related parts from your directory.
Step 1: Navigate to the remove folder and Load toys_top_000.
Step 2: Pin the Assembly Navigator in the open position.
Step 3: Expand the layout subassembly.
Step 4: Position your cursor over the star product node

toys_star_prod_037.
Choose MB3→ Close Assembly.

4 Step 5:
Notice the changes that occur in the appearance of the closed
node.
Step 6: Over the same node choose MB3→ Delete.

Choose OK in the Warning message dialog.
Step 7: Delete the unwanted files from your delete folder.
From the Mold Wizard toolbar choose Delete Files.
The Unused Part Management dialog appears.

Unloaded parts in the current directory that do not belong
to the assembly are listed, but notice that unloaded
original parts that do belong to the assembly such as
mdp_hex are NOT shown.
Select Select All. (box checked)
Choose Put Into Recycle Bin.
In the operating system, notice that a Recycle Bin folder was

created in your remove folder, and all of the star parts are in
the recycle bin.
Choose Switch to Recycle Bin.
Family Molds
Choose Empty Recycle Bin.
Choose Yes to confirm removing the parts.
Notice that the list is now empty.
Choose Switch to Project Directory.
Notice that the this list is also empty.
Cancel the dialog. 4

At this point, the star files are removed from the folder
and from the open assembly; however, you must save the
project so that assemblies on disk are replaced with the
modified ones in memory.
If you forget to save the project and layout assemblies will
look for the missing parts and fail to find them the next
time you open the project.
Choose File→Save All to save the top and layout assemblies in

the new configuration.
Step 8: Close all parts.
Family Molds
Summary
NX Mold Wizard provides useful tools to create and configure family and
multiple cavity molds. When you have multiple products, only one is the
active product, or, the target for various NX Mold Wizard functions. When
you have multiple instances of one product, remember to use Cavity Layout
rather than Initialize Project to create additional instances.
In this lesson you:
• Used Initialize Project in an existing tooling assembly to create a family
mold.
• Used Cavity Layout to arrange related work piece inserts.
Used Family Mold to select a member product as the target for Mold
4 •
Wizard’s utilities.
• Created a circular layout.
• Removed an unwanted subassembly using Delete Files.
Lesson
5 Partings
Purpose
You will learn how to identify or create parting geometry. You will complete
the topic by creating associative tooling bodies.
Objective

• Identify core and cavity regions using Molded Part Validation
• Create parting regions and curves. 5

• Identify transition objects.
• Construct and Edit parting surfaces.
• Add user defined parting sheets.
• Create linked core and cavity models.
• Use the molding part to correct design defects.
• Compare the product model with a revised version.
• Swap the product model for a revised version.
Partings
Parting
Parting is the process of creating a core and cavity based on a plastic part
model. The Parting function provides tools to assist in performing parting
functions quickly and with associativity. You use the parting functions after
you have designed the work piece.
Trim-Based Parting Concept
The Mold Wizard parting process occurs in the "parting part." Two types
of bodies exist in the parting part:
• A geometry-linked copy of the shrink part. (1)
• Two work piece bodies that define the cavity and core bodies. (2)
The parting process involves the creation of two types of parting surfaces:
• Internal, shut-off surfaces for openings within the part. (3)
• External, shut-off surfaces extending from the exterior parting lines. (4)
Partings
The core and cavity faces are grouped and copied when you Extract Regions.
The extracted cavity region (5) and cavity patch sheet (6) are shown in bold
lines:
The extracted cavity and core regions are each sewn to sets of parting surfaces
to form two sets of trim sheets (one for the cavity and one for the core).
Core and cavity seed sheets (7) lie on a vertical face of the workpiece, thus
they can be joined to any valid parting. The seed sheets are geometry-linked
to the cavity and core components in the starting product assembly. When
the trim sheets sets are sewn to the seed sheets the cavity and core part
automatically update to include the sewn trim faces. A pre-existing trim
5
feature is then unsuppressed.
Partings
When the trim sheets sets are sewn to the seed sheets the cavity and core
part automatically update to include the sewn trim faces. A pre-existing
trim feature is then unsuppressed.
The trimmed steel in the cavity component is illustrated:
Partings
Partings in the Mold Wizard Design Process
Earlier we looked at partings as a step within the mold wizard design process.
In this lesson we will examine a more detailed list of parting related tasks
and tools.
Partings
Parting Process in Detail
• Set the ejection direction.
• Define a workpiece to suit the product.
• Create patch geometry where necessary.
• Create manual free form patch up and parting surfaces where the
automated surfaces are not applicable.
• Create the parting lines.
• Divide the parting lines with transition objects.
• Create parting surfaces.
• Create Region sheets for core and cavity.
Create the core and cavity inserts.

5 •
Partings
Parting Functions
Parting features are created in the parting part.
If you select the parting icon while the top, layout, or product nodes are
the displayed part, the parting part is automatically set as the work and
displayed part.
Mold Wizard uses the trim-based parting method.
Parting Manager
The Parting Manager:

• Appears when you select the Parting icon.
• Provides direct access to functions to create and update a cavity and core.
• Displays a tree diagram showing existing parting geometry.
• Allows you to easily control the display of various objects. 5
Partings
Design Regions
Design Regions opens the MPV Initialization dialog, and from there you
progress to Molded Part Validation or MPV. You have seen MPV in earlier
examples.
Molded Part Validation helps you to analyze a product model, for example to
detect appropriate draft, undercuts, and holes to be patched.
MPV also offers tools to help prepare the model for core and cavity recognition,
such as face splitting and manually assigning faces to regions.
Molded Part Validation can be used to verify the original part even
before a tooling assembly is initialized.
Within Parting, we use Molded Part Validation to help you confirm that the
product model is:
• Oriented and positioned to the mold draw-direction
• Moldable: verify once again that the product model includes proper draft
5 for the part
• Designed with release and shut-off features considered
• Designed with reasonable parting contours
MPV has four pages: face, region, settings, and information.
Face
The Face page of Molded Part Validation provides face highlighting and if
desired, permanent color editing, for faces that:
• belong to core or cavity
• cross over between the two sides
• have less draft than a specified limit
• have no draft at all
This page also has handy shortcut button to the Split Face and Draft Analysis
functions.
The face page is the default page when you enter MPV from the Analysis
menu.
The Split Face button on the Face page of Molded Part Validation activates
the same Face Split function that appears in Mold Tools.
Partings
Region
The Region page has tools to divide the faces of the product model into cavity
and core regions and set a face color for each region.
The Region page is the default when you enter MPV from the Parting
Manager.
When the Region page is displayed the system displays all detected parting
line and patch loops.
Settings
The settings page permits display of internal, parting, and partial or

incomplete edge loops.
Information
The information page provides convenient access to a variety of analysis

functions.
• Face Properties
5
• Model Properties
• Sharp Corner Faces
Partings
Activity: Molded Part Validation

you will use Molded Part Validation to evaluate a part before
beginning your mold project.
This approach could typically be used to help you estimate the
amount of rework for the mold, or to identify areas for the designer
to repair before you begin work.
Step 1: Open mpv/mdp_attachment.

Use File→Open, not Load Project.
Step 2: Activate Molded Part Validation
Choose Analysis→Molded Part Validation.
Accept the default body and draw direction by choosing OK.
Step 3: Inspect the part

If necessary, switch your display to Shaded mode.
Set the two Positive options to active on the Faces page of the
Molded Part Validation dialog.
Choose Apply.
Partings
Rotate your part to review the Cavity side.
Are all faces in the Cavity highlighted? What can you assume
about the small faces inside openings?
Notice the number count of positive faces with less than 3
degrees draft.
Make the Positive options inactive (clear the check boxes) and 5
the Negative options active (place a check in the boxes).
Choose Apply.
Rotate the part to see the Core side.
Notice that not all of the faces have been highlighted.
This indicates that some faces are vertical.

Now make the Negative options inactive and make Vertical
active.
The vertical faces are highlighted.
Partings
Change the Draft Angle Limit to 1.0 degrees.
Choose Apply.
Make Vertical inactive and make Positive < 1 and Negative <
1 both active.
5 The highlighted faces all have less than 1 degree draft.

Use the slider to make Non-Selected Faces Translucency
about 90 per cent.
You can see that most of the low draft angle faces are blends. Tiny
areas of no draft on blends is often quite acceptable.
Retain the low draft faces, and add Vertical faces.
You will observe that a substantial area of the model has no draft.
You want to inform the part provider of the extent and location of
vertical faces.
On the Molded Part Validation dialog click over the color box
for Vertical.
Choose More Colors.
Partings
Choose Color 186, Pure Red as the color.
Choose Set Color of All Faces.
The color of the faces as indicated on the dialog will be saved with
the part.
Make all other options inactive and make Crossover Faces
active.
The many faces that cross the parting with respect to the current
coordinate system are highlighted.
Later we will address the split faces function that will assist you to
subdivide similar faces.
Partings
Another cleanup option (for some parts) would be to try to

find an orientation that reduces cleanup to a minimum.
You do this by applying your judgement and experience
with mold work, and verify success by repeating the
analysis for each orientation that you suspect will work.
You can color crossover and undercut faces by setting a

new color just as you did with vertical faces.
Make Crossover Faces inactive and make Undercut Areas

active.
Undercut Areas shows you several faces that have negative draft
over some portion of the surface area, again, the measurement is
with respect to the current coordinate system. Again, some faces
may highlight that have negligible undercut.
Notice that some but not all of the undercut faces were earlier
displayed as crossover faces.
5 The vertical areas need to be corrected. In some parts the customer

will have the option of accepting the additional cost of adding a
slides or lifters to maintain contours with zero or less draft.
Cancel the Molded Part Validation dialog.
Examine the part.
Shaded images of the modified part (with problem areas identified

by colors) will help you to communicate the problems with this
model.
Step 4: Save and Close the part.
Partings
Face Split
Face Split applies split operations on selected faces, such as crossover faces.
The resulting faces should belong entirely to one region.
If you know all parting lines are on edges, there is no need to use
this function.
The same Face Split function is available from Mold Tools.
The following methods are available for splitting faces:

• Split faces by isocline
• Split faces by datum plane
• Split faces by curves
Split Faces by Isocline

When you Split by Isocline only crossover faces can be selected.
5
Zero degree isoclines with reference to the draw direction are created and
used to split the selected faces.
Split Faces by Datum Plane

Face selection methods:
• Selected Faces
• Connected Faces
Datum methods:
• The Existing Datum Plane method divides a selected face with a selected
datum plane.
• The Point + Point method divides a face along a line defined by two points.
• The Point + X-Y Plane method divides a face at the Z-level of a defined
point.
Split Faces by Curves

• Existing curves/edges
• Through two points
Partings
Activity: Face Split and Assign to Region

The mdp_cup_patch plastic drinking cup model has several holes.
In the Mold Tools lesson you created various patch surfaces.
Your current task is to split certain faces that cross over the parting
plane.
Step 1: Create a product tooling assembly for mdp_cup_patch.

If other parts are open, you must close them now.
First Part auto/mdp_cup_patch

Project patch
Name
Mold Csys default
Material PS
5 Work Piece default
Layout Auto Center
Next 00
Number
Partings
Step 2: Find crossover faces.
Choose Parting.
In the MPV Initialization dialog choose Specify Draw
Direction.
Choose -ZC.
Choose OK in MPV Initialization.
The MPV dialog opens on the Region page when you enter
it from the Parting Manager.
Use the Crossover Region Faces toggle to identify the 5

crossover faces.
One crossover face (1) represents a hole that must be patched and
integrated into a slide head.
The remaining four crossover faces (2) must be split at the

core / cavity boundary.
Partings
Step 3: Split the crossover faces that pass over the parting.
Choose the Face tab.
Choose Face Split.
Toggle Split by Isocline to active.
Drag a rectangle to select the four crossover faces at the rim

of the cup.
Only crossover faces are selectable when Split by Isocline
is on.
Choose OK.
The faces are split. Notice that the count of crossover faces was
reduced from 5 to 1.
Choose the Region tab.
Temporarily toggle Unknown Faces to on.
Notice that the newly split faces are now unknown.

You have a choice to make:
You could choose Apply on the region page to assign all of the
unknown faces as a User Defined Region. This will make them
either Core or Cavity, according to what is selected.
You could select faces individually and assign them to core or

cavity.
With a larger model, you might want to force a re-evaluation and

potentially eliminate many manual face assignments.
You can force a re-evaluation of the model in MPV by
exiting from MPV and starting it again.
Cancel from MPV.
Partings
Step 4: Define Cavity and Core regions.

Choose OK in MPV Initialize.
The system remembers the direction you set in the

previous evaluation.
Notice that there an now no unknown faces.

All but three faces are identified.

Highlight the Crossover Region Faces (only one face).
Choose Assign to Cavity Region and Apply.
Highlight the two Crossover Vertical Faces.
Assign the planar face (1) to the cavity region and the
cylindrical face (2) to the core region.
5
Hint: Toggle the Crossover Vertical Faces option off and select the
faces one at a time, manually.
Cancel from Molded Part Validation.
Step 5: Save and close all parts.
Partings
Extract Regions and Parting Lines

Extract Regions and Parting Lines extracts core and cavity regions and
automatically generates parting lines based on the results from the Design
Regions procedure.
A method of extracting core and cavity regions supported in a previous
version of Mold Wizard is also provided.
When you choose Extract Regions and Parting Lines you have a choice of
methods:
MPV Regions is the default method. In this method, the core and cavity
faces identified by Molded Part Validation are automatically added to
two region features and by default the regions’ outer boundary loop is
extracted as parting lines.
Boundary Regions works with previously created parting lines and patch
sheets to determine core and cavity regions.
5 Connected Faces Region allows you to extract all connected faces having
the same color. You might, for example, color faces yourself in a difficult
part, and then use this tool to extract same–colored faces as a region.
No Extract is useful if you want only the parting lines bounding the MPV
core and cavity regions.
You must allow the system to create parting lines if you want to
sweep, extrude, or use them to define planes using Mold Wizard
functions.
Default Settings
The category names and layers for region features are determined by the
customer defaults.
Layers are set on the page File→Utilities→Customer Defaults→Mold
Wizard→Parting, on the Layers page.
Category Names are set on the Layer Categories page.
Partings
Boundary Regions
Boundary Regions provides access to a legacy method to set the core and
cavity regions.
In this class you will be using the MPV method.
A description of Boundary Regions is provided here for reference.
The Boundary Regions option opens the Extract Regions dialog. This dialog
offers manual control over the boundary; however, unlike the MPV method
Boundary Regions requires all patches to be in place before you define regions.
If you have manually prepared faces for core and cavity regions, any
face that crosses the parting must be split or subdivided before you
use the Boundary Regions method.
Face regions are assigned to either the cavity or core side of the mold insert
by an automatic analysis. You can choose a method to edit the boundary
of one or both regions.
Two slide bars make previewing and checking cavity and core faces easy. This
tool is still an excellent aid when you need to diagnose problems. 5
The total number of faces on the parting part and the numbers of cavity and
core faces are displayed in the Extract Regions dialog. You need to verify that
the total equals to the sum of cavity and core faces.
If Total Faces is less than the number of core and cavity faces combined you
probably have an un-patched hole. Using the slides to slowly highlight one
region, you can easily spot where the hole is. Face highlighting will suddenly
enter the "other" region (Core or Cavity) as you highlight faces in or adjacent
to the hole.
If the total faces is greater than the sum of core and cavity region faces, you
may have created an internal empty volume (with solid patch) or you might
have created duplicate patch surfaces. Correct the error before proceeding.
Partings
Activity: Extract Regions, Core and Cavity

The assumption in this activity is that you receive an assembly with a
parting part that has a problem. (No doubt it was created by someone
unfamiliar with MPV.)
You will use the legacy Boundary Regions diagnostics to locate a
missing patch.
Verify that Mold Wizard is active.
Step 1: Load the top level assembly in outlet_diagnostic.
Step 2: Create Parting Lines.

Choose Parting.
Set the options to No Extract and Extract Parting Lines.

You must extract parting lines before you use the Boundary
Regions method.
Choose OK to create the parting lines.
Step 3: Define Core and Cavity regions.

Again choose Extract Regions and Parting Lines.
Set the method option to Boundary Regions.
Extract Parting Lines is not available when this option is set.

Choose OK.
The Extract Regions dialog appears.
Partings
Notice that the Cavity Faces plus the Core Faces add up to
more than the Total Faces.
The Status line reports that 82 overlapping faces were found, zero
faces were not used, and there are no void faces.
Move the Cavity Faces slider carefully from left to right and
observe the cavity face regions as they highlight.
Use a motion device or mouse button 2 view controls to
rotate the part as necessary.
When the interior face of one of the corner mounting holes

highlights notice how the detected cavity region faces spill over
into the core side of the part.
The highlighted faces on the core side are the overlapping faces
Mold Wizard detected.
This overlap occurred because a hole was not patched.
Reset the Cavity Faces slider back to zero and move the Core
Faces slider to demonstrate the same spill over effect from
the core side.
Choose Back.
Step 4: Patch the remaining hole.

Choose Create/Delete Patch Surfaces.
Notice the status line.
Choose Auto Patch.
Partings
Choose Back.
Step 5: Define Cavity and Core regions.

Once again set the method to Boundary Regions.
Choose OK to open the Extract Regions dialog.
Notice the status line.
Use the sliders to examine the core and cavity regions.
Choose OK to accept the region definitions.
A region feature is a set of contiguous faces defined by

a seed face or starting face and several boundary faces.
The region contains any face that can be "reached" from
the start face without crossing beyond the boundary.
5 Boundary faces are included in the region.
A region definition is associative. If faces inside the
boundary change, for example by the addition of a pad or
boss, the Extract Region feature will update to include the
new faces.
Extract Regions constructs a region boundary based on
faces adjacent to defined core cavity color boundary.
Very, very rarely you may have to tell the system what
face you want as a seed face. A button is provided for that
purpose.
Core Region Sheet
Step 6: Create the parting sheet.
Partings
Choose OK to create a single planar parting sheet.
Parting and Region Sheets
Step 7: Create Cavity and Core Tooling Pieces.

Choose Auto Cavity Core. 5

Examine the results of your work.
Parting and Core Region Sheets Sewn: Arrow Points to Seed Sheet

Display mdp_outlet_top.
Partings
Create / Delete Patch Surfaces

Create / Delete Patch Surface begins the same sequence as Auto Hole Patch
on Mold Tools.
The Auto Hole Patch function automatically finds all internal patch-up loops
and patches up all through holes in the product.
There are two methods for searching for internal patch-up loops (holes):
• Region Loops
• Automatic Loops
Region Loops Method
The region loops method requires that you first complete the cavity and core
regions analysis in Molded Part Validation. Auto Hole Patch follows the
5 region loops to create patch surfaces.
Use the following process during parting to streamline patching loops with
cavity and core regions:
• Use Molded Part Validation to specify cavity and core regions.
• Choose the Region loop search method to patch holes (Auto Hole Patch
function in Mold Tools).
• Choose the Extract Region Faces option to extract cavity and core regions
(Extract Region Face function in Mold Tools).
• Extract parting lines by using the Parting Lines, Traverse Loop, Traverse
by Face Color option.
• Create parting surfaces.
• Go directly to the Create Cavity and Core function in the Parting dialog
(skip the Extract Regions function).
Partings
Automatic Loops Method
The auto hole patch function will automatically search for loops if you did
not define cavity and core regions.
Identified loops are highlighted when you start to use this function.
You can select loops in Cavity Side, Core Side, or all loops in One by One
mode. You can deselect unwanted loops.
Some loops cannot be patched up by the surface method. You may
need to use another method such as Solid Patch or Trim Region Patch.
If you select the One by One option, each loop is highlighted. Click the Auto
Patch button and you can decide to patch the highlighted loop, skip it, or
extract the loop.
If you have already created patched up surfaces and select the Auto Hole
Patch function, Mold Wizard prompts you to either delete the patches or
keep them.
If the product is complex, it will take a long time to find parting lines
automatically. In that case, use the Traverse Loop method. 5
If all parting lines are on the same face, use an Enlarged Surface
as a parting surface.
Dialog Buttons
Auto Patch starts the actual patch process, using the options set on the dialog.
Add Existing Surfaces allows you to select existing sheets (free form
construction for example) to be recognized by Mold wizard as patch geometry.
The original sheet is layer copied to the hidden layer and copies are extracted
for the core and cavity sides.
Delete Patch removes identified patches. Using this function and any other
Mold wizard function to delete Mold Wizard geometry is highly recommended,
because the function knows exactly how many separate features in the
feature list comprise a selected patch.
Partings
Edit Parting Lines

Based on the results from the Design Regions procedure, parting lines can be
extracted by using the Extract Regions and Parting Lines procedure.
You only have to define the transition objects in the parting loop to create
segments for use in creating parting surfaces.
For compatibility reasons, older methods for creating and editing parting
lines are also provided. You can manually select the curves and edges to add,
and deselect highlighted curves to remove curves from the parting loop.
The Search Parting Lines area contains tools with which you identify Parting
Curves and Edges.
The Transition Objects area provides tools to define and edit transition
geometry or "corner points". The system will typically "fill in" areas adjacent
to transition objects with swept or planar faces.
Partings
Search Parting Lines

The four tools in the Search Parting Lines area provide methods to search
for parting edges or curves. The methods range from highly automated to
full manual control.
Auto Search Parting Lines

If the part is conveniently designed for molding it is possible to automatically
find the correct part edges for the parting line.
Click the Auto Search Parting Lines button to display the Search Parting
Lines dialog. In some cases, you need to select the product model body or
define the eject direction.
Traverse Loop
The Traverse Loop function finds adjacent lines for each area of core and
cavity intersection.
You begin by choosing a parting curve/edge from the product model.
The Traverse Loop function searches for candidate curves/edges to add to
the parting line loop.
5
The Traverse Loop function is used in other modules such as Profile
Split, Edge Patch, and others.
When Traverse by Face Color is enabled you may select any curve that has
different face colors on the either side.
The system automatically finds all connected curves with the same adjacent
colors as the start curve.
When End Edge is enabled you may select a partial loop with different colors
on either side.
An example use would be to avoid a sheet that does not respond well to
Edge Patch:
• First select any edge on the core and cavity boundary nearest the end
which you want the system to use to begin the search for adjacent edges.
• Second select the last edge in the chain. The system will select all
boundary edges from the indicated end of the first to the second.
Traverse Interactively – Start by selecting any curve or edge. Select at the

end where you want the system to search for the next edge.
If gaps or branches are found, a tolerance is used to assist in the selection of
the next candidate curves or edge.
Mold Wizard guides you by a temporary display indicating the next candidate.
Partings
Interaction proceeds by using the dialog as follows:

• Accept - selects the currently highlighted candidate.
• Next Path - switches between candidate curves or edges.

If a candidate curve/edge you want is not available via Next Path
simply select it on the graphic screen.
• Close Loop - adds a smart line from the beginning to the end of the loop.
When the loop is closed the dialog quits automatically.
• Exit Loop - quits the traverse loop process and keeps whatever you
selected, up to but not including the highlighted candidate.
Edit Parting Lines
When you choose Edit Parting Lines the defined parting lines are highlighted.
You can manually select the curves/edges to add, and shift-deselect
highlighted objects to remove them from the parting loop.
5
Merge Parting Lines
There are many parts where a patch can be constructed on an open loop of
non planar edges to permit the use of a planar parting.
Merge Parting Lines attempts to provide a planar parting loop. When you
choose Merge Parting Lines, the system:
• highlights external patches
• offers the choice to select or deselect patch faces
• attempts to recreate the parting loop on one plane
Partings
Define/Edit Parting Segments

Parting loop segments can be used to make parting surface creation easier;
for example, some segments may define a plane while others may be extruded
or swept.
Auto Transition Objects
A transition parting surface is an automatically generated bridge surface or

a swept surface.
A transition object is a single parting line or a continuous set of parting lines
that is used to define a parting surface. Transition parting surfaces are
created for transition objects.
With this functionality, Mold Wizard automatically searches the parting line
to determine the appropriate transition objects. The function detects which of
its segments lie in a planar face and/or which lie in the same surface.
Use Auto Transition Objects for new work. For future edits, for
5
example when the product model has been swapped, use Edit
Transition Objects.
Due to the variety of possible design scenarios there will be cases where Auto
Transition Objects will not provide optimum results.
Edit Transition Objects
This function allows you to select and deselect curves in the parting loop.
When you choose OK currently selected curves are identified as transition
objects.
Edit Transition Objects is recommended for updates to partings after a swap
product model.
Edit Transition Objects permits easy control of transition geometry if you
encounter a complex design scenario where Auto Transition Objects does not
provide the desired result.
Partings
Place Transition Points
Segments defined by the transition points are the foundation for the creation
of parting surfaces. For each segment extruded, bounded plane, swept, or
enlarged surfaces will be provided as options for parting surface construction.
Bounded Planes are typically created at transition points to bridge gaps
between the above types of sheets.
In some cases, the surface types available to segments defined by the
Transition Points method will not be practical, for example, rounded corners
on non-planar parting. In these cases, you may define these curves as
Transition Objects.
Edit Guide Lines
Guide lines created at the end of the parting line segments will be used to
trim the parting sheets.
5 You can create parting guide lines automatically, or you can select any of the
end points on the parting lines to place a parting guide line.
Initially, the system defines the direction for the guide lines.
Edit guide lines allows you to change the length and angle of guide lines.
Show All Extend Directions
Show All Extend Directions creates a temporary display of the default guide
line directions for all end points in the parting loop
Partings
Create / Edit Parting Surfaces

The parting line loop is divided into segments when transition objects and
points are defined. Create / Edit Parting Surfaces automatically recognizes
each segment in sequence and offers you a choice of valid surface construction
methods for the geometry in the current segment. Transition geometry is
automatically used to fill in or bridge gaps between segments. Edit Parting
Surfaces lets you edit parting surfaces one segment at a time.
Tolerance
Use the Tolerance field to control the tolerance when creating parting
surfaces and sewing these surfaces.
Distance
Distance determines the parting surface extrude distance to ensure parting
surfaces are large enough to trim the work piece. You can edit the expression
parting_extrude_distance to change the extrude distance of parting surfaces.
Create Parting Surfaces

5
In the Create Parting Surfaces function, Mold Wizard automatically divides
the parting line loop into segments. The segments are determined when the
transition objects and points are defined. Mold Wizard creates an extruded
surface, swept surface, enlarged surface, or a bounded plane for each segment
where the surface type is applicable.
Edit Parting Surfaces

Edit Parting Surfaces lets you create parting surfaces one segment at a
time. If a segment already has a parting surface created, this option lets
you change the type of parting surface by deleting the old parting surface
and creating a new one.
A corner face can be a bridge surface, a bounded plane, or a swept surface.
The default extrude distance is predetermined based upon the overall size of
the product body. Usually it is large enough to trim through the work piece.
But in case you need to modify the value, you can always do so after creating
surfaces by editing the parting_extrude_distance expression.
If no transition objects are defined, Mold Wizard will try to create a bounding
plane if all parting lines are on a plane, or create a swept surface.
Add Existing Surfaces

If necessary, you can create any surface manually with the Free Form Surface
functions.
Partings
You use Add Existing Surfaces to have Mold Wizard recognize sheets you
created the same as parting surfaces which are created automatically.
Delete Parting Surfaces
Use this the same way as Parting/Patch Delete on the Mold Tools toolbar.
Join Surfaces
When you choose this function all system generated surfaces are
pre-highlighted and pre-selected, but you can add to or remove surfaces from
it. The sewn sheet is for the core, and Mold Wizard automatically creates
a copy for the cavity.
If parting surfaces are not sewn together, they are not copied for the
core and cavity. Afterwards, when you create the core and cavity,
Mold Wizard will not be able to find them.
Partings
Parting Surface
Various surface types will appear on the above dialog depending on the
current geometry.
Extrude needs one extrude direction, Bounded Plane and Enlarged Surface
need two directions.
The directions, together with Distance on the Create Parting surfaces dialog,
define two smart lines to trim the bounded plane or enlarged surface. The
smart lines are temporarily displayed as dotted lines.
On the Parting Surface dialog, if a segment is on a single face, the Enlarged
Surface type is available.
If a segment is on a single plane, the Bounded Plane type is available.
After adjacent surfaces have been created by one of the valid methods the
system will create transition faces as necessary at transition point or curves.
The nature of the transition faces depends on the transition geometry and
adjacent sheets being bridged.
If you select the Skip option, no parting surface is created for the current
segment.
5
The tolerance on the Create Parting surfaces dialog is used for all surfaces.
Enlarged Surface
When you create an enlarged surface on a face with a single closed parting
line segment, the enlarged surface is trimmed by the parting line.
When an enlarged surface is created on a face with an open parting line
segment (a segment with two ends), you can define a trimming direction at
each end of the segment. In this case, the enlarged surface is trimmed by the
parting segment and the trimming directions.
You use two sliders to adjust the U & V parameters of the enlarged surface.
Partings
Activity: Transitions and Parting Surface

In this version of the dryer part we require a non-planar parting
with transition objects. The nozzle and electric cord openings will be
extruded to create the non planar parting areas.
Step 1: Load the top level mdp_dryer project in dryer_parting.
5
Step 2: Use the Assembly Navigator to open the original product
component.
Step 3: Investigate the parting properties of the product model.
Choose Parting.
Accept the default draw direction and body.
On the Region page, note that there are no undefined faces

and choose Set Regions Color.
Step 4: Create the core and cavity regions and parting lines.
Verify and accept the default settings MPV Regions and

Extract Parting Lines.
Partings
The region features and parting lines are created. You are returned
to the Parting Manager.
Step 5: Auto Patch the holes.

The Patch Loops Selection dialog opens.
Choose Auto Patch.
Mold Wizard patches the switch and vent openings.
Choose Back to return to the Parting Manager.
Step 6: Display only the parting lines.

Use the Parting Manager to clear all display options except
parting lines.
Step 7: Define transition curves. 5
Choose Define/Edit Parting Segments.
Choose Edit Transition Objects.
Carefully select the six curves that do not lie on the XC-YC
plane.
Drag a rectangle around curves you want.

Only curves that lie completely inside the rectangle are
selected.
Use Shift-Select to deselect any unwanted curves.
Partings
Choose OK to exit the Edit Transition Objects dialog and

return to the Parting Segments dialog.
Choose OK one last time, from the Parting Segments dialog.

Mold Wizard remembers parting curves you select by
creating a named group, UM_PARTING_LINES.
Mold Wizard identifies transition points by placing them
into a named group UM_TRANSIT_POINTS.
Mold Wizard identifies transition curves by assigning
a name attribute, UM_TRANSIT_CURVES, to each
transition curve.
Step 8: Begin to create a planar parting surface.

In the Parting Manager set the Workpiece Wireframe display
option to active.

5
The Parting Surface dialog appears.

One of two possible parting segments highlights.
Bounded Plane is automatically selected.
You will create the Front Segment/Surface first.
If the Front Segment (illustrated below) is not highlighted,
simply select it on the graphics screen.
Mold Wizard allows you to create parting sheets in any

order, by highlighting the segment with which you wish to
work.
Partings
Choose First Direction.
The Vector Constructor dialog opens.

First Direction defines the direction of the parting surface edge
that will extend from the endpoint of the segment labeled 1.
5
The numbers 1 and 2 may be reversed in your part file.
In the Vector Constructor choose an appropriate direction

for the point labelled 1.
Partings
Fit the view.
Vector Arrows and dashed lines appear in the specified direction.

The Parting Surface dialog updates to permit dragging
the proposed sheet in one or all four directions:
Choose Second Direction.
Choose an appropriate direction for the point labelled 2.
A Vector Arrow appears in the matching direction.

Choose OK in the Vector Constructor.
The Parting Surface dialog reappears. The display updates.

Verify that the Lock All option is set to the default active
condition.
Drag any one of the four sliders until the sheet extends past
the bounding box and direction vectors 1 and 2.
The exact size and proportion of the sheet is not important.

You need the sheet large enough to trim the workpiece.
Choose OK again, in the Parting Surface dialog.
The View Trimmed Sheet dialog opens and one of two possible
parting surface configurations displays.
Partings
Choose Flip Trimmed Sheet to view the two trim sheet

alternatives.
When the correct sheet trim is displayed as indicated above by

5
the arrow, choose OK.
You can reduce the amount of interaction you need with

the vector constructor if you create guide lines as you
define parting segments.
The Parting Segments function has some intelligence about
Guide Line directions. Many times the default direction,
perpendicular to the curve you select, will be satisfactory.
You will create guide lines for the remaining planar
segment of the parting.
Step 9: Create guide lines.

Choose Back in each dialog until the Parting Manager
reappears.
Verify that the Guide Lines Create Delete Options option is

set to Select End Point.
Partings
Choose Show All Extend Directions, being careful to keep the
cursor over the dialog.
Notice the temporary display of vector arrows at every curve

endpoint in the parting loop.
When you select endpoints to create guide curves, each curve will
extend in the direction shown.
Move the cursor away from the dialog to erase the temporary
display.
Verify that the default Create/Delete Options setting Select

End Point is active.
Select the two curve end points shown below.
As you move the cursor over each curve a vector will again display
to remind you of the default direction.
As you click to select a point the guide line is immediately
constructed.
When the second Guide Line appears choose Cancel from the
Parting Segments dialog.
Partings
Leave the Parting Manager open.
Step 10: Create the rear planar parting surface.
The remaining segment should be highlighted.

Notice that the first and second directions are already chosen
and that the directions correspond to the guide lines.
Set Lock All to inactive and adjust the sheet boundaries

individually to extend beyond the bounding box.
The ability to adjust the four sides of the sheet individually

provides you with more control when you find it necessary.
Choose OK in the Parting Surface dialog. 5

The View Trimmed Sheet dialog opens and one of two possible
parting surface configurations display.
Partings
If necessary, use Flip Trimmed Sheet to obtain the correct

configuration indicated by the arrow in the illustration below
and then choose OK.
When the second planar sheet configuration is accepted, the

system creates the second sheet and two transition sheets:
Cancel the Create Parting Surfaces dialog.
Step 11: Examine the sheet body that extends from the electrical cord
opening.
Partings
The sheet body that extends from the electrical cord opening
appears to have three faces.
Choose Information→Object.
Set the Selection Mask to Face.
Select one of the “faces” of the sheet body that extends from the
electrical cord opening.
This sheet body has a single face. 5

Shade the part and Zoom In extremely close to the corner to
observe how the sharp edges were rounded.
A very brief explanation of how the tolerance is used by free form

sweep follows.
Partings
When Mold Wizard creates a sweep of two or more transition

curves, it uses the modeling tolerance specified in the Create
Parting Surfaces dialog.
At sharp corners, the section curve is approximated inside the

tolerance distance, represented above by dashed lines.
The dimension arrows represent the tolerance.
The curved arrow represents the rounding that takes place

at sharp corners.
The single face sheet in the dryer part could be inconvenient for
5 downstream operations.
Swept surfaces can optionally preserve the exact shape of the
section curves. The Preserve Shape option in the Tolerance editing
dialog of a Swept sheet forces the system not to approximate the
section string as one curve. With the Preserve Shape option active
a separate face is created for each curve.
This edit is desirable only when adjacent edges are not
tangent.
For more information please refer to the help for free form swept
surfaces.
Return the display mode to Wireframe.
Fit the view.
Step 12: Edit the sweep parameters.

Open the Part Navigator and if necessary set the option for
Timestamp Order.
Use highlighting to locate the PARTING_SWEPT feature that

corresponds to the electrical cord opening.
Partings
Select a node in the Part Navigator. The corresponding

feature will highlight on the graphics screen.
Your feature numbers may differ from those depicted.
Double-click the appropriate "PARTING_SWEPT" icon.
Do not click the check box - that suppresses the feature.
When you double-click in the Part Navigator, it is best to

click over the icon. If you click over he name and do not
click fast enough, the system assumes you want to rename
the feature.
Choose Tolerance.
Set the Preserve Shape option to active.
Choose OK.
5
Choose OK again in the Edit Parameters dialog.
The part updates with three faces, one for each curve at the
electrical cord opening.
This can be verified by repeating the Information actions.
The Tolerance in the Create Parting Surfaces dialog is
also used for trim and sew tolerance; therefore, entering a
zero value in the dialog is not allowed.
Use the Parting Manager to display the product model and hide
the parting lines and surfaces.
Save and Close all parts.
Partings
Create Cavity and Core

Create Cavity and Core creates two trimming sheets: one for the core, and
one for the cavity. When you click Auto Cavity Core, Create Cavity, or Create
Core the system preselects the parting surface, the core or cavity region, and
any patched surfaces.
When you successfully exit this dialog, the entire parting is completed.
Check Geometry
If this option is enabled, after you select sheets for the core or cavity, Mold
Wizard will run a geometry check and report invalid sheets before sewing.
Check Overlapping
If this option is enabled, after you select sheets for the core or cavity, Mold
Wizard will check for overlapping geometry before sewing.
5 Auto Cavity Core, Create Cavity, Create Core
The system runs checks if checking is enabled, sews the corresponding defined
region to an extracted copy of the parting surfaces. The two "Step by Step"
methods temporarily display the tooling body and wait for you to click OK.
Cavity and Core Notes
Linked copies of the seed sheets are used as trim solids. A seed and an
original parting surface are mutually trimmed and sewn together with the
corresponding region and patch sheets. There is a more detailed explanation
in the on line documentation.
When you reopen tooling projects from disk, default settings on your
system may enable partial loading to conserve memory usage.
The Mold Wizard Core and Cavity processes will not be able to finish
unless WAVE linked geometry is loaded.
To avoid this potential problem always activate Mold Wizard before
you open your tooling assembly.
Activating Mold Wizard sets your assemblies load options to load
WAVE data.
Partings
Activity: User Defined Parting

The assembly you will use has a single patch sheet created via
Enlarge Surface with the "As Existing Surface" option.
You will define Core and Cavity tooling using this patch sheet in lieu
of a parting sheet.
Verify that Application→ Mold Wizard is active.
Step 1: Load the top assembly, mdp_case6_top_000, in

case6_parting.
Step 2: Create cavity and core regions.
Choose Parting.
Verify from the Parting Manager display that a patch sheet

exists, and that parting sheets, parting lines, and region sheets
do not yet exist.
Set the MPV Regions option.
Set the Extract Parting Lines option to inactive.

Parting lines would normally be used by the system to
define a parting sheet. Since you already have the sheet
you will use as a parting, you do not need parting lines.
Choose OK to create the region features.
Partings
Step 3: Create the Cavity and Core.
The automatic method looks for a parting sheet and patch sheets,
and gives a warning if none were found.
Choose Continue.
Notice that Mold Wizard identified the patch sheet created with
enlarge surface. In fact, As Existing Surface causes the system to
make extra copies of the original sheet for cavity and core.
Choose Cancel from the Core & Cavity dialog.
5 Examine the core and cavity parts.
Step 4: Save your work and close the currently open assembly.
Partings
Suppress Parting
The Suppress Parting function enables you to make complex changes to a
product model after the parting design has been completed. The Suppress
Parting edit process applies to the following situations:
• A parting and mold component design has been completed.
• Changes must be made directly to the product model in the mold design
project.
Procedure for Part Model Topology Changes or New Model
• Choose Parting to assure that the parting file is the work part
• Choose Suppress Parting to suppress the cavity & core sheet features
and trim features
• Perform design changes

5
If you use Swap Model suppress parting is done automatically. The
above steps are not needed with Swap Model. After a swap use only
the following steps:
• Recreate parting lines, transition objects, and guide lines
• Edit the Parting Surfaces

– Patch new holes
– Delete any unneeded patch and parting sheets
– Edit transition points along the parting loop
– Create new parting surfaces as needed
• Recreate the Core and Cavity. (Existing features will be unsuppressed

and updated.)
Partings
The Molding Part

The molding part contains a geometry-linked copy of the product model. The
link is the first in the structure.
Being closest to the original part in the linked structure, the molding part
is ideal to add molding features such as tapers, split faces, or edge blends to
make the product model moldable.
These molding features are not affected by shrinkage changes.
Full association is kept when a new product version is swapped even if the
original product was translated from another CAD system.
Partings
Activity: Molding Part Topology Changes and Update

The tray part has some vertical faces that must have draft.
In this activity you will change the molding part to add draft to
vertical faces.
Later, you will see that your modeling work in the molding part is
preserved even when the designer provides a new model with feature
changes to other areas of the product.
Step 1: Load the top assembly mdp_top_000 in tray_molding.
Step 2: Analyze the draft.

Choose Parting to display the parting part.
Choose Analysis→Molded Part Validation.
Opening MPV from Analysis closes the Parting Manager.

5
Choose OK to accept the default draw direction and body.
The Face page appears by default because you opened the MPV
dialog from analysis.
Highlight Vertical faces and observe their location on the
model.
The four ribs and two of the "feet" have vertical faces.
Choose the Information tab in Molded Part Validation.
Partings
On the information page set the Check Scope option to Face

Properties.
5
Select a conical face from one of the drafted feet and verify the
draft angle, 3 degrees.
Step 3: Change displayed part to the molding component.

Use the Assembly Navigator or Window→More to display
mdp_tray_molding_018.
This assembly was saved with layer 256 displayed.

Normally, you would have to display layer 256 to see the
molding body.
Step 4: Add draft to the two "feet."

From the Feature Operation toolbar choose Draft.

Draft also appears on the Insert→Detail Feature menu.
Choose the type Draft from Stationary Edges.
Partings
Indicate a draw direction by selecting one of the two faces

shown below.
A vector indicator should appear as shown below.

Verify that the selection step advanced to Stationary Edges.
(If necessary set the step manually.)
Using Selection Intent Single Curve select the two edges

illustrated below.
As you select the edges the drafted faces should preview at the
default angle 10°.
Set the Draft Angle to 3.
Find the status line on your NX window so you can observe

it during update.
While observing the status line, choose OK until the part

updates.
The entire product subassembly updates. If there are several

modeling operations to update in a complex part this update could
take a lot of time.
Partings
Step 5: Delay interpart updates.

Choose Tools→Update→Delay Interpart.
It is important to remember to turn the delay option off
before adding a moldbase or standard parts. It would
prevent the parts from properly updating.
The complexity of geometry surrounding the

rib faces necessitates the use of Body Taper. You
will use body taper in the undercut removal mode
instead of the traditional two sided taper mode.
To remove undercut or vertical faces you need to select

only a draw direction and faces to taper. Do not select a
parting face for this application.
Step 6: Apply Body Taper to the four rib areas.
5 Choose Insert→Detail Feature→Body Taper.
Choose Face taper and the Draw Direction step.
Select the planar face of any one of the four "feet."
The direction vector should point away from the foot.

If it does not, check that you are selecting the face and not the edge.
If necessary choose the Faces to be tapered step.
Partings
Using Selection intent Tangent Faces, select all 4 blend faces of

the ribs as shown below.
Selecting the blends with the tangent faces rule should also select
the 8 adjacent planar faces.
Set the Draw Angle to 3.0.
If necessary set the Isocline option.
Accept the default setting (off) for the remaining options.
Choose Apply.
Cancel from the Body Taper dialog.
Optionally, use Molded Part Validation to verify the taper.
Step 7: Update the assembly.

Choose Tools→Update→Delay Interpart a second time to toggle
the option off.
Changing this setting will not trigger an update. You will do that
soon.
Partings
Step 8: Verify that the changes are automatically propagated to the core
insert model.
Display the core part, mdp_tray_core_013.
Observe that the "feet" all have taper. Use Molded Part
Validation if the taper is difficult to verify visually.
The "feet" are tapered because delay update was off when
the taper was created.
Observe also that the ribs have no taper.
While watching a rib area, choose Tools→Update→Update

Session.
In a minute the ribs update to reflect the taper in the molding part.
The tooling assembly now contains the original part model and a
molding part you modified to make the part more moldable.
5 The next topic covers the update procedure when the customer
supplied a new model. The new part has changed but it once again
has no draft in the areas you just modified.
Partings
Model Comparison
As a mold designer you may frequently be given a completely new model that
represents a customers change to a part for which you are already developing
a mold.
Before you decide how best to handle the changes, it is helpful to compare
the product models. Comparison can alert you to changes that will affect
patches and the parting.
Mold Wizard’s Parting Manager provides a Model Compare icon that
activates a version of model comparison with features of particular benefit
to mold makers.
Partings
Swap Model
It is possible that you as the mold maker made changes of your own in the
molding part. By using the molding part, you can retain changes you make,
often with no manual update.
Mold Wizard provides Swap Model to exchange the new product part for the
old one and reconnect links in the molding part to the new model.
There is no dialog associated with Swap Model.
Procedure
• Indicate the new product model using a standard file dialog.
• The system swaps the models and issues a report in the Information
window indicating any modeling feature update problems.
• If necessary, correct model update failures in the modeling application.

5 • Update the regions.
• If necessary, create any missing patches.
• If necessary, define missing parting lines.
• If necessary, update transition objects.
• If necessary, create parting segments needed to create a complete sheet.
• Recreate the core and cavity.
Partings
Activity: Swap and Update after Simple Changes

This tray assembly has modifications in the molding part.
You will observe changes in a replacement model that affect only auto
patched holes but not the parting curve loop or parting sheets.
You will update the core and cavity after swapping the new product
model into the assembly.
Step 1: Load the top assembly mdp_tray_top_000 in tray_swap.
Step 2: Use the Assembly Navigator to open the original product model
mdp_tray.
Step 3: Examine the parting part.
Choose Parting.
In the Parting manager observe that the following features

are present: 5
• Parting Lines
• Patch Surfaces
• Cavity Sheet
• Core Sheet
On the graphics screen observe that the parting part reflects

tapered feet and ribs that were applied to the molding part.
Observe that the faces of the ribs and two blends that were
added in the modeling part do not have the core region color.
This means that these faces were not identified in the original
MPV regions. The regions updated correctly because the faces are
completely contained inside the core region.
Step 4: Compare the model to a new revision.

Choose Model Compare
Select mdp_tray_rev in the tray_swap folder.
Partings
Toggle on the Shading and Highlight Differences options for

both models.
Choose Apply.
Model Compare requires the original product model to be

open.
Although the Parting Manager displays the parting part,

the comparison is always made between the original
product model and its potential replacement model.
Confirm that you see the original model by noticing the absence
of taper on the four ribs and two of the feet.
Downstream changes such as those you made in the

molding part are invisible to this process.
Use the slider to apply about 30% Translucency to the New

Model.
5
Notice that the only changes are the removal of two slots in the
base of the tray, eight faces total located in two regions of the part.
You will now demonstrate that changes made in the molding part
are applied to a new product model upon swapping.
Choose Back from Model Comparison.
Step 5: Swap Product Models.
Choose Swap Model.
Once again select mdp_tray_rev from the list of parts in the

tray_swap folder.
Depending of the speed of your computer it may take several

seconds to complete the swap operation.
Eventually a success message dialog appears.
Before acknowledging the message, read the instruction about
updating all features.
Notice that the modeling features in the parting part are all
marked inactive, and that the report ends with the comment
"No features are marked out of date."
Partings
In more complex models some features might be out of

date.
When this happens use your modeling skill to diagnose
and repair those features. It could be necessary to assign
new parent geometry.
You now need to update Mold Wizard geometry.
Step 6: Update the Parting part.

In the Part Navigator, find the last node, Trimmed Sheet (28).
Over Trimmed Sheet (28) choose MB3→Make Current Feature.
Notice that the two patch sets fail to update.
The holes that were patch no longer exist.

Usually you use Mold Wizard to delete features created by Mold 5
Wizard.
The sheet original patch, cavity copy, and core copy sheets no
longer exist; this is one case where you need to delete the “empty”
features.
Since the sheets are bundled as Feature Sets you can delete them
easily and safely.
Hold the Ctrl key and select both Feature Set (20)
“patch_set1” and Feature Set (24) “patch_set2” in the Part
Navigator.
Over the selected nodes choose MB3→Delete.
In the warning dialog examine the Information.
The system looks at the deletion of the member sheet body features
and warns you that the patch sets will also be deleted. This is in
fact exactly what you want to accomplish.
Choose OK to proceed with the delete
Step 7: Use the Parting Manager to continue the update.
Choose Parting.
Partings
Notice that the Cavity Sheet and Core Sheet are gone, and the
Cavity Region and Core Region have reappeared.
The absence of the parting sheets caused a parting sheet sew

feature to be removed. The regions, the patches, and the seed
sheets that made up the two parting sheets are no longer sewn;
therefore, you can once again see the regions in the tree.
Notice now that Auto Cavity Core also looks for patch sheets and
warns you if none are found.
Choose Continue.
When the update is complete choose Back.
5 Use the Parting Manager to display the Product Body.
Notice that the openings are gone but the taper features added
in the molding part were retained.
Step 8: Optionally display the molding part mdp_tray_molding_018 and

use the Part Navigator to verify that the taper features are active
and attached properly to the updated linked body.
Partings
Activity: Swap and Update with Parting Loop Changes

The product model swap for this activity has changes that affect the
parting curve loop, parting sheets, and (possibly) patch sheets.
You will swap models and complete the necessary updates. Finally,
you will update the core and cavity.
Step 1: Load the phone_upper_top_000 assembly in phone_swap.
Step 2: Use the Assembly Navigator to open the original product model.
Step 3: Compare Product Models.
Choose Parting.
Choose Model Compare.
Select phone_upper_case_rev1 in the phone_swap folder.
Toggle the Shading and Highlight Differences options for both

models to active.
Choose Apply.
Partings
Try changing the translucency of both models to about 50% and

look for these changes:
• One hole face was removed.

• There are two new through holes.
• The parting has changed due to a new opening on the right
5 side at the parting plane.
• There are new rib faces in the core region that might affect
several patch sheets.
Choose Back from Model Comparison.
Step 4: Swap product models.
Choose Swap Model.
Once again select phone_upper_case_rev1 from the list of

parts in the phone_swap folder.
Eventually the swap should complete with success.
Choose OK to acknowledge the message.
Step 5: Update the parting part.

Using the Part Navigator, locate the last feature and make
it the current feature.
When the Edit During Update appears warning you about a
patch set, choose Accept.
Partings
When the Edit During Update dialog appears warning you

about the parting sheet failing to update, notice the location of
the two markers showing a gap in the parting loop.
Choose Accept to continue the update.
You can see immediately that some parting and patch sheet
segments have become untrimmed.
Partings
Step 6: Remove incorrect patch features.

Locate and select the out of date patch feature Feature Set
(54) “patch_set8” in the Part Navigator.
Observe that a corresponding untrimmed sheet highlights in

the graphics window.
Since there is still selectable geometry for this feature you

can delete it using Mold Wizard functions.
Choose Parting.
Choose Delete Patch.
5 Select the large untrimmed patch sheet and choose OK.
Notice that the out of date patch feature is now gone from the
Part Navigator.
Notice also that with the untrimmed patch sheet gone you can
see that the two new holes are not patched.
Step 7: Patch the new holes.

Choose the Automatic loop search method.
Automatic is used when regions are not colored or defined.

Two loops on the cavity side are highlighted.
Toggle Cavity Side and Core Side to observe that the system
could put the loops on either side.
You want to place the patches with the others on the Cavity side.
Make sure the toggle is set to Cavity Side when you are
finished investigating.
Choose Auto Patch.
When the patches are complete choose Back to return to the

Parting Manager.
Partings
Step 8: Verify the remaining out of date features.

Using the Part Navigator select Trimmed Sheet (116)
"PARTING_BOUNDED_PLANE.”
Verify by the navigator colors that other two out of date

features Swept (116) “PARTING_SWEPT” and Swept (117)
“PARTING_SWEPT” are children of this feature, and that
Trimmed Sheet (109) "PARTING_BOUNDED_PLANE” is a
parent.
What has happened is that the parent parting curves

of Trimmed Sheet (116) have changed. One curve was
replaced by several new curves.
The new curves are not identified as members of the
trimmed sheet boundary; therefore, the trimmed sheet and
it’s children are out of date.
The children, Swept (117) and Swept (118), are the two
transition surfaces.
Eventually you will need to replace the sheet that

5
highlights when the feature Trimmed Sheet (116) is
selected.
Step 9: Verify whether the core and cavity regions are intact.
One at a time, isolate the display of Parting Lines, Parting
Surfaces, Cavity Region, and Core region.
The parting loop is incomplete. The gap in the parting sheets

matches the position of the gap in the parting curve loop.
The core region appears to have updated correctly.
Partings
The cavity region overlaps with the core region. (Rotate the model
to look at the "interior" side of the cavity region.)
Display only the Product Body.
Rotate the part to observe that several faces are not defined.
Eventually you will need to replace the cavity region with

the correct faces.
5
Step 10: Update the Core and Cavity region colors.
Change the default Region Calculation Options to Edit Only.
The will help to minimize the scope of the updates.
Accept the default draft direction and the preselected solid

body.
On the Region page highlight the Crossover Vertical Faces and

assign them to the Core Region.
Apply the change to the vertical faces.
Choose Back from Molded Part Validation.
Step 11: Correct the parting lines.

Display only the Product Body and the Parting Lines.
Change the Rendering Style to Static Wireframe.
Partings
Choose Edit Parting Lines.
Choose the Edit Parting Lines button.
The system displays a gap it has detected.
Zoom in on the rounded corner shown below.
(1) Existing Parting Curve (2) Missing Curve
Notice that there are two other edges near the edge that 5
corresponds to the first “missing” parting line.
Zoom in to assure that you select the correct curve.
Select the edge shown below.
Zoom in on the new feature shown below.
Partings
Select the three edges shown.
Choose OK to end the selection.
Choose OK on the Parting Lines dialog to store the new parting

curve information.
Step 12: Update the transition curves.
5 There are existing transition objects. It is only necessary to

identify the new ones.
Choose Edit Transition Objects.
New curves may not yet be the appropriate color.
Drag a rectangle to select the three new curves that lie above
the planar parting as transition curves.
Choose OK.
Partings
The original assembly was created before guide lines were

available.
While the Parting Segments dialog is active, create six guide

lines as shown below.
5
Step 13: Correct the regions.
Restore the Shaded with Edges rendering style.
You want to preserve the existing parting lines and
transitions.
Carefully make sure that the Extract Parting Lines option is

inactive.
Choose OK.
Carefully notice the option specified below.
Choose Continue.
Step 14: Correct the parting sheets.

Recall that you needed to delete the out of date sheet.
Choose Delete Parting Surfaces.
Partings
Notice that the existing parting sheet and the new guide lines
do not correspond.
The existing sheet was trimmed by vectors. The new guides are
perpendicular to the adjacent edges.
Verify that the Delete Methods option is set to Delete All.
Choose OK.
As the three sheets appear, they will each be large enough

and each have appropriate trim directions.
Choose OK in Parting Surface dialog for all three segments,

and for each accept or flip the trim as necessary.
The transition segments should created as you complete the main

sheets.
5
Choose Back to return to Parting Manager.
Step 15: Update the core and cavity inserts.

Choose Create Cavity and Core→Auto Cavity Core.
In several moments the trim process is complete.
Choose Cancel.
Step 16: Verify the assembly structure.

Display phone_upper_top_000.
Lock open the Assembly Navigator.
Observe that:
• the original product is still a member of the assembly.
• the revision 1 part is not displaying the empty reference set.
Partings
Step 17: Remove the revision 0 component.

Using the MB3 menu over the ORIGINAL PRODUCT node
choose Close→Part (Modified).
If the part was not modified in the session the option will
read simply Close→Part.
Again using the MB3 menu over the ORIGINAL PRODUCT

node choose Delete.
Choose OK in the warning dialog.
You now have the choice to use Delete Files to delete the
revision zero part or retain it in the tooling directory according
to your preference.
The reason you first closed the part is so that it will not be
open (and modified) in memory.
If you chose to delete the part file from the disk and left it 5
open and modified in memory, it would have reappeared in
the folder after a Save All.
Step 18: Replace the reference set for the revision 1 component.
Using the MB3 menu over the new original product node,
choose Replace Reference Set→Empty.
Step 19: Save all parts and close.
Partings
Summary
Mold Wizard provides useful tools for creating parting geometry. You learned
how to define parting curves and edges from existing geometry, and how to use
the system to subdivide faces at isocline curves to create a "natural" parting.
You learned a method to incorporate your own sheets into the associative
parting used by Mold Wizard.
You used the Mold Wizard system to create region features for core and cavity,
then created associative tooling from each region.
In this lesson you:
• Identified and extracted core and cavity regions using Molded Part
Validation.
• Extracted parting regions and curves.
• Used Traverse Loop to automatically select parting curves along the

region color boundary.
5 • Identified transition curves and points.
• Constructed parting surfaces.
• Created linked core and cavity models.
• Modeled molding features in the molding part, and observed how these
features were retained when the model was swapped.
• Compared an update model to one used in a tooling assembly
• Substituted an updated model in a tooling assembly.
Lesson
6 Mold Base
Purpose
In this lesson you will select and add a standard mold base to a mold project
assembly.
Objective

• Use the Mold Base Management dialog to add a Standard Mold Base to a
two cavity mold insert assembly.
Mold Base
Mold Base Management

Mold Base Management offers several standard moldbase catalogs and a few
versatile interchangeable styles. The Universal moldbase can be used to build
up an unusual plate configuration.
Catalog
The Catalog list allows you to select the preferred mold base supplier. The
content of this pull-down is controlled by a spreadsheet that can be edited
using the Edit Register File button.
Some catalogs are available in only one of Inch or Metric Units.
Type
The Type list is used to specify a particular type of standard mold base
offered by the supplier, for example 2 or 3 plate Mold. This information is
also controlled by the register file.
Bitmap
Mold Wizard will display a diagram of the standard mold base for the selected
catalog supplier and type. You can create your own bitmaps for custom
6 Mold Bases.
Mold Base Index

The mold base index list lets you select a standard length and width of the
mold base.
Rename Dialog
This option causes the Name Rule dialog to open before the mold base is
cloned.
Layout Information
The maximum layout dimensions of the cavities are shown in the Layout
Information window.
Expression List
All parameters that are listed in the mold base database file are shown in
the expression list window. You can modify mold base dimensions by editing
these expressions in the expression edit field and pressing Enter. The mold
base is updated to these dimensions when you choose OK or Apply.
Mold Base
Standard Component Size Lists

The list boxes found in the bottom portion of the dialog allow easy selection of
standard sizes from drop down lists.
Edit Register File

Selecting Edit Register File opens the mold base register spreadsheet file.
The mold Base register file contains the information required by the mold
base management system to configure the dialog and locate the library
models, their controlling database spreadsheets, and the bitmap images.
Edit Data Base

Selecting Edit Data Base opens the database spreadsheet file for the mold
base currently displayed in the dialog. The database file contains the data
required to define the dimensions and options for a particular mold base.
Rotate Mold Base

Rotate Mold Base rotates the mold base 90 degrees on the Z-axis.
6
Edit Component
Edit Component opens an Edit Moldbase Components dialog to edit the
components of interchangeable mold bases.
Customization
As an example, to customize the Universal mold base, you would
• Save a copy of the seed assembly
• Modify the assembly or components to your needs
• Add new parameters and choices to the Data Base
• Edit unwanted or modified choices in the database
• Define new pull-down Lists as desired
• Include the new part in your menus via the Register File
Mold Base
Roles and the Mold Wizard Toolbar
This class is designed to use the Advanced with Full Menus role.
You should be aware that in any role based on the standard Essentials roles
the Mold Wizard toolbar is organized in a more compact format.
In essentials roles the Mold Base, Standard Parts, Ejector Pin, Slider and
Lifter, and Sub-Insert icons are stacked together.
Mold Base
Activity: Adding a Mold Base

Parting activities are complete in this assembly. You will add a mold
base.
The parting is contoured; you make a mental note to later create draft
or clearance where insert edges depart from the parting plane.
Step 1: Load the mouse_top project in mouse_moldbase.
Step 2: Add a mold base.
Choose Mold Base.
Choose the DME Catalog.
Choose Type 2B.
If necessary, choose the BP_h pull-down and select 56 from

the list.
If necessary, choose the AP_h pull-down and select 56.
Index size 3535 is automatically selected because Layout

was used earlier. 6
An important function of Layout is to save data that you
see under Layout Information.
It is a good habit to always use Layout to enable automatic

mold base index selection.
Choose offset_fix.
Type 0.05 in the input window and press Enter.
Verify that when you pressed Enter the value you typed
appeared in the parameter list.
Choose offset_move.
Type 0.05 in the input window and press Enter.
Choose OK to accept the remaining defaults and add the

moldbase.
Mold Base
Adjust the view and examine the mold base.

Mold Base
Interchangeable Mold Base

The interchangeable mold base is designed to provide increased flexibility in
design of non-standard mold bases. The TYPE pull-down menu provides 60
combinations of A-side and B-side plate-stack configurations.
The index option scrollable window (on the left side of the dialog, below the
image area) is used to select the mold base length and width dimensions.
Component layouts are derived from the mold base manufacturers’ standard
catalog data; however, non-standard configurations are easily created through
the Edit Component functions. Edits made to components are reflected
accordingly in the BOM.
The BOM listing is for plain plates instead of plates including features such
as guide-pins, screwholes. and so on. If you determine that a standard plate
can be used in your design, the BOM editing tool makes it easy to report
the correct plate in the BOM.
Procedure
To install and configure an interchangeable mold base:

• Choose the desired configuration from the Type list and click Apply.
• After the mold base is installed click Edit Component.

6
• From the Edit Moldbase Components dialog edit individual mold plates
and mold base components to available catalog types and sizes.
Mold Base
Universal Mold Base

The universal mold base system is intended for construction of custom mold
bases.
The universal mold base assembly contains the maximum number of plates
that would be useful for 99% of injection molds, except stack molds.
The universal mold base is divided into eight configurable mold base zones.
Mold lengths and widths are controlled by the mold_l and mold_w parameters.
Plate heights are controlled by parameters shown in uppercase letters
adjacent to the plates.
Procedure
6 To configure and install a universal mold base:
• Set the plate stack configuration for each zone.
• Set the plate thickness for each plate in the Mold Base Management edit
parameter field.
• Choose Apply.
Mold Base
Summary
This lesson introduced the Mold Base Management dialog and the process
Mold Wizard uses to add a standard mold base to an existing mold insert
layout. The importance of reviewing and resolving dimensional differences in
the mold base/insert assembly was mentioned. This lesson also provided a
review on core & cavity extraction and the process of laying out a two cavity
production mold.
In this lesson you:
• Used Mold Base Management to add a Standard Mold Base to a two
cavity mold insert assembly.
6
Lesson
7 Standard Parts
Purpose
You will use the Standard Part Management dialog to add standard parts to
a mold base assembly, including Ejectors and Sliders and Lifters. You will
practice Pocket Creation.
Objective

• Select standard parts from a standard parts catalog.
• Add sliders and lifters to an assembly.
• Add standard parts to a mold base assembly.
• Edit standard part parameters and define locating points.
Standard Parts
Standard Parts Management

Several Mold Wizard functions are used for the placement and management
of "standard parts," or hardware needed in a tooling assembly.
Catalog Page Overview
Standard mold components are selected from a catalog and positioned within
the tooling assembly. Standard parts can apply to the mold generally, e.g.
locating ring & sprue bushing, or to individual mold inserts, e.g. ejector pins
& ejector sleeves. Most standard parts require locating information; some
are automatically positioned.
Catalog
The Catalog pull-down menu lists the available Standard Parts libraries.
The options found in the Catalog menu are entries in the Standard Parts
register file(s). You need to register custom catalogs in the Standard Parts
library to make them available.
You can specify the catalog order at File→Utilities→Customer
Defaults→Mold Wizard→Standard Parts on the Catalog Order page.
On the General page you may optionally enable mixed units. By
default only catalogs that use the project units will display.
List Window
The Parts List scroll window lists the components contained in the library
selected in the Catalog menu. The selections found in the Parts List window
7 are entries in the Standard Parts register file(s).
Classification
The Classification pull-down menu filters the parts in the Parts List window
to display a selected type of component groups, such as locating ring, screw,
ejector pin, etc. When you select a classification group, the Parts List window
displays only components that belong to the selected group, making it faster
and easier to locate the part you need.
The default value for Classification is All Standards. With this choice all
standard parts in the catalog are listed in the Parts List window.
The Parts List classification grouping is accomplished by special formatting
in the Standard Parts register file(s).
Standard Parts
Parent
The default parent part name will be set, but you can also select other parts
as parents. When a standard part is added, it will be added as the child of
the specified parent. You can re-specify its parent from this pull-down menu.
Several part file names of control nodes are in the list. When you re-select a
parent, the selected part changes to the work part automatically.
If the part that you want to be a parent part is not in the list, set
the part as the work part before you access the Standard Parts
functionality. Then the part name will appear on the list.
You can add a part attribute for listing the part as a parent to the
MW_StandardParent variable in the mold_defaults file.
To permit two people to work on an assembly at one time, agree
to have one person use a-side parent parts and the other use
b-side parents. For example, if a part defaults to the product sub
assembly, use product a-side or product b-side. If a part defaults to
miscellaneous, use miscellaneous a-side or miscellaneous b-side,
and so on.
Standard Parts
Position
The Position pull-down menu determines the placement method for the
standard part to be added. Each standard part has a default position method
that is set by the POSITION definition in its controlling database spreadsheet.
NULL The part is brought in at the absolute 0,0,0 of the Parent.

Often, inter part expressions are used to determine
where the solid body is located with respect to 0,0,0.
Example: Locating rings
WCS The part is brought into the assembly
at the WCS coordinates and orientation.
Examples: MEUSBURGER_DEUTSCH Flachführung,
DME_MM Slide Angle Pin — APD
WCS_XY The part is positioned at XY of the indicated point, oriented
as the WCS, but the Z-level is controlled by the system.
Example: Sliders and Lifters
POINT The component is added a XY of a specified point,
but the Z-level is determined by the system. This
is essentially the same as WCS_XY, but is used for
parts where orientation usually does not matter.
Example: Any Ejector Pin
PLANE The part is positioned with its origin on a specified
plane, and further positioned at some XY location in
that plane. The default is associative positioning.
You can toggle Associative Position off on the dialog.
Example: Screws
ABSOLUTE The part is positioned with its origin at a selected point,
and oriented same as the absolute coordinate system.
7 REPOSITION You use assembly repositioning to place and orient the part.
MATE You use assembly mating to place and orient the part.
Component
The Component pull-down menu is displayed when a component set has been
added and is selected for editing. The purpose of the Component menu is to
select a component from within an assembly of components for editing.
This assumes that the assembly has the configuration and supporting
database spreadsheets to enable editing of sub-components.
Standard Parts
New Component
When you select an existing component it is available for Add or Modify. The
default action when Add is selected is to create all parts as instances of the
same component part. If you edit any one part they all update.
The New Component option allows you to add multiple components of the
same type and initial configuration as new component part files. A new part
is cloned at each location you indicate; thus, each component can be edited
individually without affecting others.
Rename Dialog
The Rename Dialog check box displays the Part Name Management dialog
before loading the part. This allows you to rename the part prior to loading.
Associative Position
With the plane positioning method the default is to create a smart position.
With the Associative Position option toggled to off, position association is
not created.
Add / Modify
You can install a standard part, edit an installed standard part, or place
additional installations of a standard part.
When installing the second or subsequent standard part you will have the
option to add an original, add an instance of an existing, or modify a standard
part.
If a standard part has been previously installed the option to add or modify
will appear on the dialog. There are two possible scenarios: 7
• By default, an independent instance of a component will be installed
(assuming no components have been selected for editing).
• Another instance of an existing standard component may be added by

selecting the existing standard component from the screen, picking the
Add option and clicking the Apply button.
You can modify a standard part by selecting it from the graphics area.
The Standard Part Management dialog will configure itself to the display
shown the last time this component was installed or edited. You can modify
any options or expressions on the Dimension tab to achieve the desired
configuration.
If you change the Add Modify option to Add, you may add an instance of the
selected component by clicking the Apply button.
Standard Parts
Reference Set: True / False / Both
The Reference Set option controls which reference set will be displayed for a
selected Standard Part. Three options are available; True, False, and Both.
The True reference set contains the actual hardware that is added to the
injection mold, while the False reference set contains body(s) used for creating
pockets in mold plates to accommodate the hardware.
Comment
Instructive comments will be displayed below the image area when needed.
Comments are defined in the COMMENT keyword section of the Standard
Part Database spreadsheet.
Image
The image area displays a bitmap style image file to assist in selection and/or
configuration of Standard Parts.
The image shown in this area is specified in the Standard Part Database
spreadsheet for each component.
If there are alterations for a certain type of Standard Part, a second bitmap is
displayed when you select the alteration in the option menus.
Options
The most common dimensional features of the selected part are listed in the
bottom portion of the Catalog page. Features available here are pre-defined
standard sizes from the supplier, and listed in a table in the spreadsheet.
7
Edit Register File
Open the Standard Part Register file for editing.
Edit Database
Open the Standard Part Database spreadsheet with the catalog data.
Standard Parts
Remove Component
Remove a highlighted standard part.

The instance of the highlighted standard part will be removed together with
its linked pockets.
If there are no other instances the part file will be closed and the option is
presented to remove the part file from the tooling directory.
Reposition
Use the standard assemblies reposition functions.

When using the variable repositioning method (which allows the
repositioning of a component relative to its parent or higher level
parents), set the repositioning reference to the direct parent.
Components that were installed using the plane placement method

continue to use the plane position dialog.
Flip Direction
Reverse the placement direction of a selected standard part.
Register New Standard Part

7
Register a new standard part.
Standard Parts
Functions that Work with Standard Parts
Ejector Pin Postprocessing
Ejector Pins are selected and positioned using the Standard Part Management
dialog. The Ejector Pin dialog provides postprocessing tools to define the
"close fit distance" and to optionally trim ejectors to part contours.
Mold Trim
This utility automates commonly needed WAVE linking and feature modeling
tasks to trim a standard part to the core or cavity trim sheet.
Create Pockets
Once standard parts are selected and positioned within the mold assembly,
pockets, voids, threaded holes, etc. must be created to receive these added
parts.
Pocket Creation is also used with Gates, Runners, and Cooling channels.
Standard Parts
Other Functions Using the Standard Part Management Dialog
Several important functions make Standard Part style libraries available:
• Work Piece
• Slider and Lifter
• Sub Inserts
• Cooling
• Electrodes
Standard Parts
Dimension Page Overview

The Dimension tab of the Standard Parts Management System is used to:
• Edit expression formulas
• Lock and unlock values
Image(s)
If there are multiple images designed in the database spreadsheet the
left-arrow and right-arrow buttons are active, and they will allow you to
page through the available images.
In the spreadsheet additional bitmaps are appended with commas in the
same cell. No spaces are allowed.
Dimension List
Browse through the Standard Parts editable dimensions. A scroll bar appears
when needed.
Dimension Edit Window

You can select any standard part and edit its dimension expressions to
customize it.
A dimension highlighted in the dimension list is placed into the Dimension
Edit Window. Change the value and press Enter to save the edit.
Calculated Dimension Display

For convenience the calculated dimension value is shown in a "read-only"
7 window to the right of the dimension edit text field.
Standard Parts
Lock/Unlock and Unlock All
The Lock, Unlock, and Unlock All functions are used to lock or unlock
dimensions after a component has been installed. When a large change is
made to a mold design in progress, such as a mold base size, you may want to
lock and preserve parameters you have set such as plate thickness or screw
positions. If not locked, such parameters would update to the defaults for the
new mold base size.
Locked dimensions are not altered by changes made through the standard
parts dialog. The locked dimensions can only be edited with the feature or
expression edits available in the modeling functions.
Locked dimensions are identified by a "*" character before the dimension
name when it’s locked. If a dimension is locked, it’s insensitive on the Catalog
page. You cannot change locked dimensions from option menus or the sliders.
Geometric Expression Link
The Geometric Expression Link function allows you to link a dimension

from the standard component to geometry from the mold assembly. The
measured objects must both be in a single part file.
Interpart Expression Link
The Interpart Expression Link function allows you to link a dimension from
the standard component to an expression from the mold assembly.
When you create a standard part it is recommended to set the 7
Partially Shaded option as the Display Mode. Mold Wizard Standard
Parts have the partially shaded attribute set.
Make sure not to turn on Delay Interpart Updates (Tools→Updates).
Note that WAVE linking is not available while you are using the
Drafting application. Switch to the Modeling application to create
links.
Clearance values ("clr" in expression name) default to zero. If
clearance is desired, look for and edit these expressions. Clearance
expressions affect the corresponding pocket creation body.
Standard Parts
Opening Large Mold Wizard Assemblies

From this point in the class onwards, tooling assemblies you open may have
many members.
On Windows systems, you can avoid having to search a scrolling list for the
top part.
In the Windows Open Part File dialog, enter File name "*top*.prt" (without
quotes) and press Enter.
The file list will be filtered to only the top level part, as shown above.
Standard Parts
Slider and Lifter Design

Slider/Lifter Design uses the Standard Part Management interface to provide
an easy way to design the sliders and lifters you need.
Sliders and lifters have two main parts: head and body. The head is dependent
on the product shape. The body is composed of customizable standard parts.
Head Design
There are two ways to create slider or lifter heads: Solid Head and Trim Body.
Solid Head
The solid head method is often used in slider head design. To use the solid
method to create a slider or lifter head, the Solid Split tool is ideal.
• Create the head body in the core or cavity.
• Add the appropriate slider or lifter.
• WAVE link the head body into the slider or lifter body part.
• Unite the head with the body.
Alternatively, you can create a new component and link the head to the
new component. This alternative is preferable if the piece will be machined
separately and assembled with fasteners.
Trim Body 7
To use the trim body method:
• Add a slider or lifter to the mold base.
• Use Mold Trim to trim a selected body with the core or cavity trim sheet.
Slider and Lifter Sub Assembly Structure
Slider and Lifter mechanisms are added as sub assemblies. Each sub
assembly contains the head, gibs, sliders, dowels, or guides necessary to
provide the desired motion.
Mold Wizard places the lifter sub assembly inside the product assembly.
Sliders and lifters pertain to a particular product. They are collected under
the product part instead of under the misc sub assembly.
Standard Parts
Orientation of Sliders and Lifters
The YC axis of the WCS must be oriented along the direction of head motion,
with YC+ pointing toward the undercut area of the cavity wall.
The bitmap for each supplied assembly shows the YC+ direction, origin, and
parting plane.
Use this convention if you design custom sliders or lifters.
The slider or Lifter XC-YC origin will coincide with the WCS origin and the Y
axis will be aligned with the YC+ axis. Mold Wizard will match the parting
position to the tooling regardless of the current ZC 0.0 location.
Several standard parameters, including standard angles, may be chosen
from selection lists on the Catalog tab.
Standard Parts
Activity: Sliders and Lifters

The mouse project requires two lifters and two sliders per product
instance.
You will add one push-pull slider to the snap area in the upper case
using the solid head method, and one lifter to the snap area in the
lower case using the trim method.
Slider on upper case – one shown
Lifters on lower case – both shown
Standard Parts
Step 1: Load the mouse_top assembly in mouse_standard.
Step 2: Use Family Mold to make mdp_mcl the active product.
Step 3: Add lifter(s).

Set the Rendering Style to Partially Shaded.
Verify that layer 1 is the Work Layer.
Choose Slider and Lifter.
In the following steps please be careful not to choose OK or

Apply until instructed to do so.
Several steps of preparation are necessary before you
Apply.
Choose Dowel Lifter from the list.
Toggle the Rename Dialog option to on.
Choose the Dimension tab.
Scroll if necessary, and choose riser_top.
The riser needs to be long enough to be trimmed by the

core faces.
7 We provided the top value needed in the interest of time.
Ordinarily you would add the lifter and edit the value as
necessary.
Edit the riser_top value to 13.
Remember to press Enter.
Standard Parts
Zoom in on the snap area of the lower mouse case.
Standard Parts
Use WCS Dynamics to locate the WCS origin at the center

control point of the linear edge of the snap seat, as shown
below:
Rotate the WCS 180 degrees about the Z Axis, into orientation
shown below.
The Z location of the WCS is irrelevant. The lifter will

be placed at the origin of the WCS with respect to X
and Y coordinates. The base Z position will be located
correctly to the mold plate.
7
Standard Parts
Choose OK in the Slider / Lifter Design dialog.

The Part Name Management dialog opens.
Set Next Number to 2009 (or find the next number available to
you in the navigator).
The lifter will be part of the mouse_lower_prod_2000
subassembly. All members of the lower case
subassembly should be in the 2000 number series. You
are setting the numeric suffix of the lifter to conform to
that naming convention.
Choose OK.
The Dowel Lifter is added to the mold assembly.
Fit the Display.
Standard Parts
Step 4: Reposition the lifter.

A right view of the lifter top (shown below) reveals that if the lifter
were trimmed at the current location, the head would have a small
area of contact with cavity steel.
You will avoid that contact by repositioning the lifter 2.0 mm along
the YC axis.
A 2.0 mm adjustment was determined using Analysis Distance.
Orient the view to Right, and zoom in as shown above.
7 Choose Slider and Lifter.
Select the lifter on the graphics screen.
Standard Parts
Use the scroll bar in the upper right corner of the dialog to
reveal a row of icons.
Choose Reposition.
A dynamic csys tool appears. Motion will be with respect

to that csys, not the WCS.
Choose Translate.
7
Standard Parts
Enter a Y value of -2.0, then press Enter.
The lifter moves to the position shown.
Choose OK.
Step 5: Trim the lifter head to match the core contour.
Choose Mold Trim.
Verify the Trim Process default options are set:

7 • Sheet Trim
• Product
Choose the Trim Component tab.
Verify that the Trim Component default options are set:

• Trim Part is mouse_lower_trim_2006
• Trim Surface is CORE_TRIM_SHEET
Standard Parts
Select any body of the lifter subassembly from the graphics

window.
Choose OK in the Mold Trim dialog.
The lifter is trimmed in the product model. A trim direction

confirmation dialog appears:
If the trim direction is good, choose OK.
Step 6: Optional: If time permits, create another lifter on the opposite

side of the part.
7
You do not need the rename dialog for the second lifter. By
default the series for the numeric suffix will continue from
where the previous lifter assembly left off.
If the optional second lifter is finished, choose File→Save All.
Step 7: Activate the Upper Case product.
Select the Family Mold icon.
Select mdp_mcu.
Choose OK to dismiss the dialog.
Make Layer 1 the Work Layer, and 10 Selectable.
Standard Parts
If necessary, set the Display Mode to Partially Shaded.
Two small blocks were created in the snap area of the

upper case product model using Create Box and Split Solid.
You will use these blocks in the solid head approach.
Step 8: Begin to create a slider.

In the following steps please be careful not choose OK or
Apply until instructed to do so.
Several steps of preparation are necessary before you
Apply.
Choose Slider Lifter.
Choose Push-Pull slide.
The default slider width, 50 mm, is significantly larger

than the 6 mm undercut width of the snap.
You will change the width to a more suitable value.
Edit the parameter wide to 15.
Edit gib_wide to 10.

7
The origin of the slider needs to be positioned at the edge

of the workpiece, in line with the small block that will form
the undercut portion.
Before adding the slider, you will move the WCS to this
precise position.
Set the Rendering Style to Static Wireframe.
Standard Parts
Zoom in on the snap area.
Use WCS Dynamics to locate the WCS on the small block as

shown below.
The WCS origin is now correct in the X. You now need to

move it along the YC axis to the edge of the workpiece.
Step 9: Determine the distance along Y from the WCS Origin to the edge
of the workpiece.
Choose Analysis→ Distance.
Choose Projected Distance.
Choose YC in the Vector Constructor.
Standard Parts
Indicate the control point at the WCS origin as the first point
or object.
Select the nearby contoured edge of the insert as the second

point or object.
Choose Information.
7 The distance projected on Y should be 18.673 mm.
Highlight the projected distance in the Information window

and choose MB3→Copy.
Close the Information window.
Standard Parts
Choose OK.
Step 10: Define the slider origin using the measured data on the clipboard.
Choose Format→WCS→Dynamics.
Select the Y axis handle.
MB3→Paste in the Distance window.
Using the Home key, move to the beginning of the pasted text
and enter a minus sign.
Press Enter to move the WCS along YC by the exact distance

that you measured.
The WCS should now rest on the edge of the workpiece with YC
plus pointing toward the mold cavity.
If you did not already do it, Cancel WCS Dynamics by clicking

MB2.
The Slider Lifter Design dialog reappears.
Step 11: Compete the slider definition.

On the Catalog page toggle Rename Dialog to active.
Standard Parts
Choose OK.
In the rename dialog, set Next Number to 1009 (or find the next
number available to you in the navigator).
The lifter will be part of the mouse_upper_prod_1000
subassembly. All members of the upper case subassembly
should be in the 1000 number series. You are setting the
numeric suffix of the lifter to conform to that naming
convention.
Choose OK.
The slider is added.
Step 12: WAVE link the body of the slider and the small block that forms
the undercut.
Use the Assembly Navigator to set the Work Part to
mouse_sld_???? (the number suffix will vary).
To see the slider assembly (mouse_sld) first expand
mouse_layout and then mouse_upper_prod_1000.
If necessary toggle Start→Assemblies to active.
Standard Parts
Choose Insert→Associative Copy→WAVE Geometry Linker.
The WAVE Geometry Linker appears only when the

Assemblies application is on.
The WAVE Geometry Linker dialog opens.
Choose the Body filter.
Select the small block indicated below:
Choose OK in the WAVE Geometry Linker dialog.
Step 13: Create a solid body that will form the head of the Slider.
Standard Parts
The finished design will include a Slider Head that will be

fastened to the face of the slider.
You will create the slider head by extruding the nearby face
of the slide body, and uniting this new body with the newly
linked small solid that forms the undercut in the tab.
Use the Assembly Navigator to set the Displayed Part to

mouse_sld_????.
Choose Insert→Associative Copy→Wave Geometry Linker.
Choose the Face filter.
Toggle At Timestamp to active.
At Timestamp is necessary to prevent screw and dowel

holes in this face from propagating into a false body you
will create later.
Select the face illustrated below, and OK.

7
If necessary set the Rendering Style to Static Wireframe.
Standard Parts
If necessary make layer 1 the Work Layer.
Choose Insert→Design Feature→Extrude.
The Extrude Icon Options bar appears.

Select the linked front face of the slider body.
A default Extruded Body preview displays.
Change the default End from Value to Until Extended.

The entire dialog becomes insensitive as the cue prompts you to:
Select trim object for End Limit.
It is crucial to choose until extended when the face you
intend to choose is not large enough to trim the body.
Until extended internally extends the small face you will
select until it can trim the extruded body.
Select the nearest face of the small block as illustrated below:
Choose Unite as the Boolean option.

The cue prompts you to:
Select target body to unite to.
Select the small linked body to which you are trimming the
extrusion.
Choose OK.
Choose File→ Save All.
Standard Parts
The face of the slider provided a convenient profile for

extruding this initial Slider Head design.
The Slider Head is currently much bigger than necessary.
The upper part extends into the cavity. The lower part
need not extend into the guide slots.
Step 14: Offset the bottom of the Slider Head -19mm.

Choose Insert→Offset/Scale→Offset Face.
Set the Offset Value to -19mm.
Select the face shown below:
Standard Parts
Choose OK.
The bottom of the Slider Head is offset upwards 19mm.
Step 15: Adjust the display of the new head body.

All standard parts supplied in the Mold Wizard libraries
have a special display attribute. They are partially shaded,
so they can easily be seen through surrounding mold plate
bodies when you are in partial shading mode.
Choose Edit→Object Display.
Select the Slider Head.
Choose OK.
Set Partially Shaded to Yes. 7

Choose OK.
The head you have created will not appear if the slider
is displaying its True reference set, because we have not
specifically added the new body to the True reference set.
Choose Format→Reference Sets.
Select the TRUE reference set in the list.
Choose Add Objects.
Select the head body you just created.
Standard Parts
Choose OK in the icon options bar.
Choose Information.
Verify that the TRUE reference set contains 5 components and

1 body.
Number of Members
Components 5
component MOUSE_BDY_1010 uses entire part.
component MOUSE_WP_1014 uses entire part.
component MOUSE_GB_L_1011 uses entire part.
component MOUSE_GB_R_1012 uses entire part.
component MOUSE_CM_1013 uses entire part.
Bodies 1
Choose Close.
Step 16: Trim the slider head to the parting surface.

Choose Mold Trim.
7 Choose Yes to change the displayed part to mouse_top.
Verify that mouse_upper_prod_1000 is now the work part.
In the graphics screen select the Slider Head.
Standard Parts
Choose OK.
The head should be trimmed below the parting contours.
If the trim direction is good, choose OK.
Step 17: Adjust the display of the slider assembly to show only the trimmed
head.
Change the displayed part to mouse_sld_????.
Choose Information→Assemblies→Reference Set.
Select the TRUE reference set from the list.

7
Choose OK.
Notice that the TRUE reference set now contains 2 bodies.
Recall that it previously had only one body, the head body you
added to it.
Close the Information window and observe the bodies and
components that are highlighted on the screen.
Notice that both the trimmed and untrimmed head bodies appear.
The system has added a new linked and trimmed body to
the same reference set to which the parent body belonged.
Standard Parts
You will remove the extra body from the TRUE reference
set, and move it to the hidden object layer.
Highlight TRUE in the list.
Choose Remove Objects.
Carefully select only the untrimmed body.
Select it in the untrimmed area.
Choose OK.
Choose Information to verify that exactly one body

remains.
Choose Close.
Standard Parts
In the assembly navigator, Blank all the components of

mouse_sld_????.
Only the bodies in the assembly part will remain visible.
7
Choose Format→Move to Layer.
Move to Layer is available in modeling. If you had returned
to Gateway the choice will not appear.
When you have the layer dialog open you can specify
a layer by selecting something that is in the layer you
want to specify. Try it by selecting the extruded body in
layer 255 to specify a destination layer as you perform the
following action.
Move the sheet body of the wave linked face to Layer 255.
Recall that the parent body of the trimmed head was already in
layer 255 although you had created it in layer 1. The layer move
was done automatically by Mold Trim.
Standard Parts
Make layer 255 Invisible.
In the Assembly Navigator Unblank all of the component parts.
Change the displayed part to mouse_upper_prod_1000.
When finished, the Slider, Slider Head and Core Body in the
product part should appear as shown below:
Step 18: Add a fastener and dowels.
Use Standard Part Management to add a Socket Head

Countersunk Screw (SM).
7 In catalog DME_MM use Classification to filter the
available choices to Screws.
Make certain that Associative Position is on.
Use the default SIZE 4.
Change the PLATE_HEIGHT dimension to 18.7.

PLATE_HEIGHT is adjusted from the Dimension
page.
Choose Apply to add the part.
Standard Parts
Select the planar head face shown below.
The WCS snaps to the center of the selected face.
Position the part at XC0.0, YC-1.0, Z0.0. 7

Choose OK in the Position dialog to leave the screw where it is.
If you do not set Associative Position the position dialog
will not appear.
Choose Back in the Point Constructor to return to Standard

Part Management.
Choose Classification Dowels and choose the Dowel Pin (DP).
Make certain that Associative Position is on.
Use Diameter 3, Length 10 (the defaults).
Choose Apply to add the first pin.
Standard Parts
Select the T-shaped face shown below:
Indicate the arc enter of the screw as the reference point for
positioning.
In the Position dialog under Drag Option set X Increment and

Y increment to 1.0 and Drag Decimal Place to 0.
Choose Drag.
Standard Parts
Move the pin (no mouse button holding is needed) until the
screen indicates W and H displacements of 5 in each.
Notice that W and H are displacements from the screw
center reference point. The X and Y values differ because
they are distances from the centroid of the face on which
you are positioning.
Click MB1 one time to place the component.
In the position dialog verify D1 and D2 are 5 and 5.

You may correct the position by entering new values for D1
and D2, if necessary.
Choose OK.
Standard Parts
Add another instance of the dowel on the opposite side, as

shown:
In shaded mode you will not see the dowels or screw head.
The dowels are completely hidden inside the material in
any case, but you do not see the screw head because its
pocket has not been cut. In the next lesson we discuss
pocket cutting.
Close all dialogs.
Step 19: Create a new component part file and move the trimmed slider
head body into it.
Choose Assemblies→Components→Create New.

7
Select the trimmed slide head body and choose the OK icon.
In the Select Part Name dialog enter the name

mouse_sld_head_1009h.
In the create new component dialog enter the reference set

name TRUE and be certain that Delete Originals is on.
Choose OK.
Step 20: Update the subassembly reference set.

Choose Information→Assemblies→Reference Set.
Standard Parts
Examine the TRUE reference set both in the Information

window and on screen.
The TRUE reference set should have 8 components all displaying

their entire parts.
When you added the new components the wizard
automatically added them to the true reference set.
When you create a new component outside the wizard that
component was not automatically added.
Dismiss the Information window.
Select the TRUE reference set in the list.
Choose Add Objects.
Select the new head component and OK.
Choose Information.
You should now have 9 components in the reference set. The head
component is displaying its TRUE reference set.
component MOUSE_SLD_HEAD_1009H uses reference set: TRUE. 7
You should always create reference sets for any required
TRUE and FALSE bodies in your new component parts.
Add components to both their parent TRUE and FALSE
reference sets only while their corresponding reference set
is displayed.
Close the Reference Set dialog.
Display the mouse_top part.
Examine the new slider and lifter components in partially

shaded mode.
Step 21: Choose File→Close→Save All and Close.
Standard Parts
Summary
This lesson introduced the Standard Part Management dialog window and
discussed the process of Adding Standard Parts to the mold base assembly.
The process of Pocket Creation was also mentioned in this lesson.
In this lesson you:
• Added sliders and lifters to a family mold assembly.
• Selected standard screws and dowels from a catalog.
• Saw ways to edit standard part parameters and define locating points.
Lesson
8 Sub-Inserts
Purpose
Many molds have high wear areas or sections that can be machined
conveniently if a separate block or cylinder of steel is introduced. Mold
Wizard provides the Sub-Insert function to rapidly design and place auxiliary
pieces in the tooling assembly.
Objective

• Define and position Sub-Inserts as required.
Sub-Inserts
Overview
Sub-Inserts are used in areas on the core or cavity where:
• intensive wear and tear exists.
• machining is easier to perform on a separate body.
A complete Sub-Insert is made up of:

• a head, the contoured section that forms part of the product.
• a foot, the section that is attached or bolted into the assembly.
Methods for Designing Sub-Inserts
There are two basic methods for designing Sub-Inserts:

• Insert Standard Part (for specifying and using standard round or
rectangular shapes) This is the default method.
• Insert Envelope (legacy method for designing and creating a sub-insert)
Enabling Design and Creation Functionality
The default method provided for creating Sub-Inserts is the Standard Part
method. You can alter the Sub-Insert module to also include (or only include)
the legacy design and creation functionality.
This is done in the Customer Defaults
This lesson covers only the Standard Part method. The Insert Envelope
method process is very similar to the methods covered in the Standard Part
lesson.
Sub-Inserts
The Sub-Insert Dialog – Standard Part Method
Catalog Page
The top portion of the dialog allows you to specify whether you want this
Sub-Insert created as part of a Cavity or part of a Core.
Parent and Position
• Parent shows you the immediate parent part file the Sub-Insert.
• Position shows you the current positioning method selected. There are
several options (from a generic list available to many functions). These
are covered in detail in the Standard Parts lesson.
The POINT position is the only one you will likely be using with
Sub-Inserts.
When using the POINT position to locate a Sub-Insert, the point you
specify is projected to the bottom (outside face) of the core or cavity part.
The intersection of the axis of the Sub-Insert and the end face of the foot
is the point that is located on the outside face of the cavity or core.
The icons in the upper right portion of the dialog. You may need to scroll
down to be able to access them.
These functions are the same as described for the Standard Parts dialog.
Sub-Inserts
In the middle portion of the dialog:

• New Component allows you to specify that you wish to create a new
component. If this is chosen when a previously created Sub-Insert is
selected, the new component has by default the same dimensions and
style as the selected Sub-Insert.
• Rename Dialog allows you to specify the name of the selected or new
Sub-Insert, by presenting the Rename Dialog.
• True, False, and Both options control Reference Set display.
• Also, if a previously created Sub-Insert is selected, two additional options

are:
• Add — create a new Sub-Insert based on the parameters of the selected

Sub-Insert.
• Modify — edit the selected Sub-Insert.
Sub-Inserts
The bottom portion of the dialog allows 3 settings:

• SHAPE allows selection of ROUND or RECTANGLE.
• FOOT allows you to specify whether or not you want a foot created.
If FOOT is on and ROUND is chosen, then an additional option is made
available in the part of the dialog, for specifying the amount of Foot Offset.
• MATERIAL allows choice of material.
Dimension Page
The dimension page is for specifying the parameters of the Sub-Insert.

The icons at the near the bottom of the dialog:
• Lock/Unlock and Unlock All are used to lock dimensions

after a component has been installed.
• Geometric Expression Link allows you to link a dimension from

the parent assembly.
• Interpart Expression Link allows you to create a link a dimension

from the standard component to an expression from another part in the
mold assembly.
Sub-Inserts
Activity: Creating Sub-Inserts using the Standard Part Method

The part you will be working with on this activity requires
sub-inserts. You suspect that part of the mold is subject to wear
and breakage. In the case of either, you would rather replace the
sub-insert than rebuild the entire core part of the mold.
Step 1: Load phone_top_000 from the phone directory.
The parting has been created as well as core, cavity and mold
layout.
The sub-inserts are needed in the core side of the mold.
Step 2: Make phone_core_013 the Displayed Part.
Step 3: Change the display to Wireframe.
Sub-Inserts
Step 4: Zoom in on the right portion of the part.

Notice the two posts with small holes for screws in the model.
Rather than leave tiny “pins” in the core steel to form the
holes you would prefer to use sub-inserts.
Step 5: Start the sub-Insert creation.
Choose the Sub-Insert icon.

The Insert Design dialog displays.
Step 6: Make the settings for creating a round Core Sub-Insert with a foot.
With the Catalog tab selected choose CORE SUB INSERT near
the top of the dialog, and make sure the Position option is set
to POINT.
At the bottom of the dialog, set the SHAPE to ROUND, and

turn FOOT on.
Leave the FOOT_OFFSET_1 set to 3, and leave the MATERIAL

set to P20.
Sub-Inserts
Step 7: Find the size of the post and hole so you can set the diameter of
the pin portion of the insert.
Choose the Information → Object, and select the two circular
edges at the “bottom” of the post nearest to you.
You want the pin portion of the insert to be larger than the
hole and smaller than the post. You will later effectively
“trim” the pin portion back to the size of the hole.
The Information Window shows the diameters to be 1.006 and

2.515 millimeters. Therefore you can safely use a diameter of 1.75.
Dismiss the Information Window.
Sub-Inserts
Step 8: Set the dimensions for the diameter of the insert itself.
Choose the Dimension tab at the top of the dialog.
The dialog changes to display the dimensions and the expressions

for them.
Choose the X_Length expression in the list, and then enter a
value of 1.75.
Press Enter.
The current expression is now shown in the list.
Sub-Inserts
Step 9: Capture the values for the FOOT_HT and Z_LENGTH directly
from the part geometry.
Select the FOOT_HT expression in the dialog.
Choose the Geometric Expression Link icon on the

dialog.
Select the bottom face of the geometry on the graphics window

as the First Object (1). (Make sure to select the face.)
Select the circular edge at the “top” of the boss as the Second
Object (2).
Choose OK on the dialog.

The distance from the bottom face to the circular edge is now
saved for the value of the FOOT_HT.
Sub-Inserts
In the same manner set the value for the Z_LENGTH (from the
bottom face of the part (1) to the “upper end” of the “hole” (2)).
You want the “pin” portion of the insert to be slightly

longer than the “depth” of the “hole”.
This is to make certain that you get a good “trim”
operation when you trim the pin to match the core
steel.
Select the Z_LENGTH expression in the list on the Insert

Design dialog.
Add +2.0 to the end of the expression.
Press Enter.
Sub-Inserts
Step 10: Locate the insert in the core.

Choose OK on the Insert Design dialog.
Choose Arc/Ellipse/Sphere Center and select this arc on the

“boss”. You may need to rotate and zoom in to be able to do this.
Cancel the Point Constructor dialog.

If you locate the Sub-Insert again, you will be creating
another instance of the geometry, but as part of the
just-created component. You would then have a
component with 2 identical Sub-Inserts in it.
Restore the view.
The sub-insert has been created and located. It exists as a

component of the phone_core_013 part.
Sub-Inserts
Step 11: Examine the Sub-Insert.

Zoom in on the Sub-Insert.
Notice that the diameter and length of the actual insert portion
of the sub-insert is longer and larger than the actual “hole” in the
part. This was intentional. You will next “trim” it back by using
Mold Trim.
Step 12: Trim the sub-insert to the core surface.
Choose Mold Trim.
Choose Yes in the Change display part dialog.
Verify the default options Sheet Trim and Product.
As the Target Body select the sub-insert.
8
Choose Tool Sheets.
Verify that these options are set:

Trim Part is phone_trim_016
Trim Surface is CORE_TRIM_SHEET
Choose OK.
Verify that the trim direction is good, and choose OK or Flip

Direction as needed.
Sub-Inserts
Step 13: Examine the results.

Notice that the top portion of the sub-insert is now the correct
size for the hole in the molded part.
Step 14: Display the FALSE body to see what will ultimately be subtracted
from the core to allow installation of the sub-insert.
Select the sub-insert you just created.
Choose the False option on the Insert Design dialog.
The False body is displayed in dashed font that may be difficult

to see.
The False body will later be subtracted from the core solid body to
make a “pocket” for the sub-insert.
Change the display back to True.
This is the actual sub-insert part.
Sub-Inserts
Step 15: OPTIONAL: Create a second sub-insert for the hole in the other
post
Select the Sub_Insert you just created.
This will allow you to copy some or all of the parameters of the
first one to the next one you are creating. It also allows you to edit
the selected sub-insert.
Choose the Add and New Component options on the dialog.
This will create a new sub-insert, as well as a new component in

the core sub-assembly.
Using the Geometric Expression Link, create new expressions
for the FOOT_HT and Z_LENGTH expressions. Remember to
add 2.0 millimeters to the Z Length expression.
Notice that the second post hole is deeper, which means that this
sub-insert will be different. The foot diameter should be a different
size to prevent any installation errors at the time of assembly.
Select the FOOT_OFFSET_1 expression in the list and enter a

value of 1.50.
8
Locate the sub-insert.
Sub-Inserts
Use Mold Trim to trim the new sub-insert part.
Sub-Inserts
Summary
In this lesson you:
• Learned how to specify and install standard Sub-Inserts in a core model.
8
Lesson
9 Gates and Runners
Purpose
In this lesson you will use Mold Wizard utilities to complete Gating and
Runner systems.
Objective

• Place Gates in a mold project
• Attach a Runner system to your gates
Gates and Runners
Gates and Runner Systems
Overview
Plastic molds have flow pathways that direct the plastic to the mold cavities.
The design of these pathways vary depending on part shape, size, and
number of parts to be molded. The most common type of pathway is called
a "cold runner". Cold runner systems have three types of channels; Sprues,
Runners and Gates.
1. The Sprue is the path from the outside of the mold to the parting surface.
A standard Sprue Bushing usually forms this section.
2. The Runner is a channel that is cut into the parting surface of the cavity,
core of both that begins at the end of the Sprue and provides a pathway to
the fill location of the mold cavity.
3. The Gate is the final pathway from the runner to the cavity. Gates come
in a variety of designs depending on the molding process and cosmetic
requirements of the molded product.
Mold Wizard provides tools to design cold runner sprues, runners and gates.
Gates and Runners
Gate Design
Balance Yes means the same gate size and location can be used in both the
cavities in a two cavity layout. No means that unique gates are required for
each cavity.
Gate Position can be in either the core or the cavity.
Gate Point Indication enables you to easily indicate the gate point.
You can choose a gate Type from the gate library. You also can customize
your own gate type.
Gate Point Indication
The tools in Gate Point Indication make it easier to define various types
points where you might want to position gates on the mold cavity.
After you define a gate point, you proceed to define and add the gate.
You will select the gate point you have created as an existing point for the
origin of the gate.
Gates and Runners
Activity: Placing Gates

The upper and lower mouse will have tunnel type gates flush with
the parting, centered approximately on the bottom lip of the part.
Step 1: Load the top level assembly in mouse_gates.
Step 2: Choose Gate.

Verify that the work part is now mouse_fill.
Step 3: Set the following options:
Balance No
Position Core
Type tunnel
9
Step 4: Define the gate point location.
Choose Gate Point Indication.
Choose Point on Face.
Gates and Runners
Select the parting lip face on the bottom of the upper mouse.
Use Quick Pick to get the face shown below.
Gates and Runners
Set these values (be sure to press Enter after each entry) :X
value to , Y value to 0, and the Z value to 0 .
X –45.5
Y 0
Z 0
The gate point should be located as shown below.
Choose OK to return to the Gate Point dialog.
Choose Back to return to Gate Design.
Gates and Runners
Step 5: Define the gate parameters.

Set or verify the following parameters:
d1 1
d2 3
A 8
B 0
OFFSET 0.5
Remember to press Enter after every change in the edit

window.
Step 6: Place the gate.

Choose Apply.
In the Point Constructor indicate the gate point you created a

couple of steps earlier.
Indicate the correct direction in the Vector Constructor.
If the gate direction is incorrect you may use Delete Gate

to remove it, and then create another one in the opposite
direction with the parameters you already set.
The tunnel gate for the upper mouse is complete and the gate for
the lower mouse now needs to be added.
Step 7: Define the gate point location.

Choose Gate Point Indication.
Choose Point on Face.
Gates and Runners
Select the parting lip face on the bottom of the lower mouse.
Use Quick Pick to get the face shown below.
The Point Move on Face dialog appears.

Set the following values, taking care to press Enter after each
entry:
X 6.5
Y 0
Z 0
Choose OK.
The Gate Point dialog reappears.

9
Choose Back to return to Gate Design.
Gates and Runners
Step 8: Change the Method to Add.
Step 9: Define the gate parameters.

Set or verify the following parameters:
d1 1
d2 3
A 8
B 0
OFFSET 0.5
Remember to press Enter after every change in the edit

window.
Step 10: Place the gate.

Choose Apply.
In the Point Constructor indicate the lower mouse gate point

you created a couple of steps earlier.
Indicate the correct direction in the Vector Constructor.
If the gate direction is incorrect you may use Delete Gate

to remove it, and then create another one in the opposite
direction with the parameters you already set.
Cancel from Gate Design.
The mold designer would at this point use the Sub-Insert

function to insert the tunnel gate areas in order to
manufacture the undercuts.
Step 11: Save all parts and leave the assembly open for the runner activity.
Gates and Runners
Runner Design
Design Steps
You can design runner guide strings in three ways depending

upon the complexity of the runner channel, parting surface, and
requirements for parametric adjustment.
If the parting is not planar you need to project the two

dimensional runner design to the three dimensional contours of
parting faces.
The runner channels are created by sweeping the cross section

along the guide strings. The channels are created in a single
part file and are subtracted from the core and cavity after the
design is confirmed.
Guide String Definition
The import sketch pattern method uses predefined parametric

sketch patterns to define adjustable runner guide patterns. You
select sketch patterns from the pull-down menu and import
them to the runner component.
To create curves in predefined shapes, choose the Curves
through Points icon. Then choose Point Subfunction to indicate
two points. After defining the points, you select a predefined
shape.
To add existing curves to guide strings, click MB1. To remove
curves from guide strings, press Shift+MB1.
Channel Types
Circular Parabolic Trapezoidal Hexagonal Semicircular
Gates and Runners
Activity: Adding Runners

The mouse parts need only a simple runner system, basically a
straight runner connecting the two gates across the base of the sprue.
Step 1: Verify that the mouse_top is the displayed part.
Step 2: Define a guide string.
Choose Runner.
The Runner Design dialog appears.
Set the A parameter (length of runner) to 36.

The default is a straight line sketch pattern for two cavities.
Choose Apply.
A guide string is created but needs adjusted to match the
tunnel gate locations.
The tray parting is planar. You do not need to project the

string.
Step 3: Reposition the guide string.

Choose Reposition.
Enter –19.5 in the X value field.
Press Enter and choose OK.
The guide string now connects the two tunnel gates.

9
Step 4: Create the runner channel.
Choose Create Runner Channel.
Gates and Runners
Set the following parameters:
Cross Section Circular

A 3
Cold Slug Position Both End
Since the circular section runner is symmetric in the

core and cavity the runner location setting is irrelevant.
Choose OK.
The runner is created between the two gates.
It is now evident that to balance this runner system, the

cavities would need to be repositioned in the moldbase to
properly locate the sprue bushing.
Gates and Runners
Summary
In this lesson you:
• Placed gates a mold project
• Created a runner channel to match the gates.
9
Lesson
10 Cooling Channels
Purpose
You will use the cooling Standard Parts approach to specify both drilled
channels and a variety of plumbing components.
Objective

• Add Cooling Channels to a tooling assembly.
• Use the Cooling Component Design method.
10
Cooling Channels
Cooling
When you choose the Cooling icon the Cooling Component Design dialog
appears.
The cooling hole standard part supports a variety of component types,
such as pipe-plug, baffle, connector-plug and extension plug. Component
configuration may be changed after the hole is installed.
A previously used approach was focused on schematic circuit design. You may
encounter the older Guide Line method if your company has legacy mold data.
The Guide Line method can be enabled via the customer defaults
under the Other→Cooling tab.
The Standard Parts cooling method has two main steps:

• add a standard part that forms the hole
• add a component to a selected hole
Hole Procedure
• Choose a Parent:
– For holes in the mold base choose “*_cool”
– For holes in an insert choose “*_prod”
• Choose the component type from the COMPONENT_TYPE option menu.
• Choose a thread size.
• Edit the cooling hole dimensions using the Dimension page.
• Choose Apply.
• Select a placement plane.
• Locate the cooling hole using the Position menu.
10
Cooling Channels
Component Procedure
• With the hole selected and highlighted, choose a component type from the
listing window of the Cooling Component Design dialog.
• Set the size.
• Choose Apply.
The component will then be added as a child of the previously selected cooling
hole component. To change the component type:
• Remove the previously installed component.
• Edit the COMPONENT_TYPE of the cooling hole.
• Choose and install a replacement component.
10
Cooling Channels
Activity: Cooling Using Standard Parts

In this activity you use the Standard Parts approach to Cooling
Component Design.
The design requires that some of the cooling channels be placed at
an angle.
Step 1: Load desk_org_top assembly from the desk folder.
Step 2: Examine standard settings in the var part.

In the assembly navigator double-click desk_org_var to make
it the work part.
Choose Tools→Expression.
Scroll the list of Named expressions and observe the various

values for cooling, screws, stand-offs, and stop buttons.
Change Listed Expressions to Filter by Name.
Change the filter to *1_8 and press enter.
Observe that the list now shows only 1/8 inch cooling components
and screws.
You can set values to standard dimensions your company
10 requires in the seed parts (English and metric).
Cooling Channels
Choose Cancel.
Step 3: Make the top level assembly the work part.
Step 4: From the Mold Wizard toolbar choose Cooling .
Step 5: Create Cooling line # 1.

From the Cooling Component Design dialog, if necessary,
choose the Catalog tab, and the COOLING HOLE option.
Change PIPE_THREAD to 1/8.
Set HOLE_1_DEPTH to 3.75.
Notice the formula for C_BORE_DIA.
The <UM_VAR> format instructs Mold Wizard to look for

the expression in the var part.
The part is located via part attributes so it can be found no
matter what actual file name you may have assigned to it.
When you customize you may follow the same expression

format in your database spreadsheets and use the var part
to hold your own standard values.
Set the value for C_BORE_DIA to 0.75.
You intend to add connector plugs to lines 1 and 6 so you

want those two counterbores to be larger than the size set
in the var part.
Set the value for C_BORE_DEPTH to 0.375.
Hint: Do not forget to press Enter.
Choose Apply.
10
Cooling Channels
From the graphics screen select the front face of the cavity
insert as shown:
The view is oriented to the plane of the face you selected. The
point constructor displays.
The cue reads: “Pick up a point to add standard part: – ...”. The
last part of the cue varies, depending upon how or if the Point
Constructor was last used in your session.
In the Point Constructor dialog choose Cursor Location .
The cue now reads: “Pick up a point to add standard part”.

Indicate a point on the graphics screen at approximately the
cursor location shown:
10
Cooling Channels
The specified hole part is added, and a Position dialog appears.

From the Position dialog, in the Reference Point area, choose
Face Center.
Temporary dimension lines appear on the screen.

Set the Offset parameters below:
D1 3.0
D2 1.0
Press Enter.
The cooling channels moves to the new location.

Choose Cancel to dismiss the Position dialog.
The Cooling Component Design dialog appears.
Step 6: Create Cooling line # 2.

Choose the Catalog tab.
Change the operation from Modify to Add.
Change the New Component option to Active.
Repeat the previous procedure, using the following dimensions:
HOLE_1_DEPTH 5.88
C_BORE_DEPTH 0.0
ANGLE_X -45 (negative value)
10
Cooling Channels
Select the face as illustrated:
Indicate in the approximate position shown:
Choose Face Center.
Edit into position:
D1 1.2
D2 1.0
Hint: Press Enter after each change.

10
Cooling Channels
Step 7: Create Cooling Line # 3.

Repeat the preceding procedure, using the following
dimensions:
HOLE_1_DEPTH 5.88
C_BORE_DEPTH 0.0
ANGLE_X 45
Use positive 45° on this side.
Select the face illustrated:
10
Cooling Channels

Edit into position from Face Center:
D1 1.2
D2 1.0

Cooling Line # 4 is similar to cooling line # 1, except that it does
not have a counter bore.
Use the following parameters:
HOLE_1_DEPTH 3.75
C_BORE_DEPTH 0.0
ANGLE_X 0.0
10
Cooling Channels
Select the face illustrated:

D1 3.0
D2 1.0
10
Cooling Channels

HOLE_1_DEPTH 6.25
C_BORE_DEPTH 0.0
ANGLE_X 0.0
Select Face as illustrated:

10
Cooling Channels
D1 2.2
D2 1.0
Step 10: Create the final cooling line # 6.

HOLE_1_DEPTH 1.50
C_BORE_DIA 0.75
C_BORE_DEPTH 0.375
ANGLE_X 0.0
Select Face as illustrated:
10
Cooling Channels

D1 2.0
D2 1.0
Your cooling lines should look similar to the figure shown below.
Remember that you can always select a given cooling line and
modify its dimensions and position.
10
Cooling Channels
Step 11: Add Connector Plugs to cooling lines 1 and 6.
If necessary, once again choose Cooling icon .
Select cooling line #1.
From the Cooling Component Design dialog choose the Catalog

Tab.
Choose EXTENSION PLUG and verify the parameters below:

SUPPLIER = DME
PIPE SIZE = 1/8
Choose Apply.
Select Cooling Line #6 from the graphics window and repeat

the above steps.
Step 12: Add Pipe Plugs to the remaining cooling lines.
If necessary, choose Cooling icon .
From the graphics window select Cooling Line #2.
Choose PIPE PLUG from the Catalog tab and Apply.
Select Cooling Line #3.
Choose PIPE PLUG and then Apply.
Repeat for Cooling Line #’s 4 & 5.
10
Cooling Channels
Step 13: Create pockets for the cooling lines and components.
From the Mold Wizard toolbar select the Create Pockets icon
With the Target Bodies step active select the cavity insert from
the graphics window then choose OK.
The Tool Bodies selection step is now active.
Select all the cooling components by dragging a window around

them.
Choose OK.

10
Cooling Channels
Summary
This lesson introduced Cooling Component Design.
In this lesson you:
• Learned how to created Cooling Channels using the Cooling Component
Design method.
• Added a cooling circuit to a mold assembly.
10
10
11
Lesson
11 Electrode Design
Purpose
Electrode design is a common and very necessary stage of the mold

manufacturing process. Unlike parted mold inserts and standard mold
hardware created with Mold Wizard, electrodes are not components of a
finished mold tooling assembly.
Objective

• Design electrodes using the standard part approach
Electrode Design
11
Electrode Design
Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) is used to produce mold cavity
features that are impractical or impossible to machine with milling cutters.
You can use the Standard Parts approach for creation of electrodes. The added
benefit of using a standard part is that subcomponents may be attached and
pocket-cutting bodies may be included with detailed features.
Electrode design is done using two general steps:
• retrieve a library tool
• trim the tool to the appropriate mold steel
Legacy Electrode Design Method
The default provided in Mold Wizard for creating an electrode is the standard
parts method.
You can alter the Electrode module to also include (or only include) the Insert
Electrode functionality.
To do this, modify the Method option at File→Utilities→Customer
Defaults→Mold Wizard→Others on the Electrode page.
Electrode Design
11
Simultaneous Development
Mold Wizard provides several components in its assembly structure that can
be used to enable simultaneous tooling development.
In the product subassembly the are nodes for the cavity (side_a) and core
(side_b).
When you work inside one of these subassemblies changes will not affect any
of the other assemblies. Thus one person can be creating parts in side_a
while another creates parts in side_b.
There are two scenarios in a network environment where simultaneous
development can work well.
• Assuming that the two workers are working from the same directory, to
view each other’s work they need to:
– Close their coworker’s component part without saving it (using the
assembly navigator)
– Immediately reopen it.
• Assuming that each worker has a unique copy of the mold assembly, to
view each other’s work they need to:
– Close their coworker’s component part.
– Copy the changed subassembly and all of its components.
(Assemblies→Cloning is the recommended means.)
– Reopen the subassembly.
Electrode Design
11
Activity: Electrode Design in the Tray Project
You will create a cavity side electrode for a business card tray project.
Step 1: Load the tray_top_000 assembly in tray_electrode.
Step 2: Verify that the Assemblies application is active.
Step 3: Choose Start→Modelling.
Step 4: Configure an electrode.
Choose Electrode.
The Electrode Design dialog is used identically to Standard Part

Management.
Notice that the default is the cavity electrode, and the
default parent is mdp_tray_prod_side_a_014, the cavity
side subassembly.
Configure dialog options on the catalog page:

CLEAR_LEVEL 5
CHAMFER 2
CHAMFER_CORNER 3
Electrode Design
11
Configure dialog options on the dimension page:
X_LENGTH 65
Y_LENGTH 120
BURN_LEVEL 35
FIXTURE_LEVEL -25
CLEAR_LEVEL -1
Remember to press Enter after every edit!
Reference Data
Cavity Insert X overall 110.00

Y overall 165.00
Z overall 56.00
Cavity X overall 60.62

Y overall 118
Z below parting 31.90
Step 5: Position the electrode.

Choose Apply.
Choose Reset to zero all three dimension fields.
Set XC to 55.
Reference Data
Cavity Insert X overall 110.00
Electrode Design
11
Choose OK.
A cavity electrode is configured and added to your assembly,

centered in X because you chose XC as half the overall X size.
Choose Back on the Point Constructor.

The Electrode Design dialog reappears.
Cancel from Electrode Design.
Step 6: Trim the electrode.
Choose Mold Trim.
Set the following parameters:
Trim Process Sheet Trim

Product
Trim Component CAVITY_TRIM_SHEET
Select the electrode body:
Choose the Selection Step icon Tool Sheets.
Set or verify the Trim Surface as CAVITY_TRIM_SHEET.
Electrode Design
11
Choose OK.
If necessary choose Flip Direction so the electrode looks like

this:
Choose OK to complete the trim operation.
Currently the electrode is trimmed to the cavity trim

surface. The carbon is touching the steel all around
the parting. You want to provide clearance to the
CLEAR_LEVEL you set in the electrode dimensions dialog.
You create the needed relief using Replace Face with

planar partings. For more complex partings you will use
Offset Face or Offset Region.
Step 7: Create relief between the electrode and the planar face of the
cavity steel all around the perimeter of the cavity .
Using the Assembly Navigator make the
mdp_tray_trode_cav_??? part the Work Part.
The numeric suffix may vary.
Choose Insert→Direct Modeling→Replace Face.
Electrode Design
11
As the Target Face select the narrow face surrounding the
perimeter of the electrode at the parting level.
As the Tool Face select the face at the clear level that was
created along with the electrode.
Electrode Design
11
Choose OK.
The electrode is trimmed at the CLEAR_LEVEL.
Electrode Design
11
Summary
In this lesson you:
• Designed and placed an electrode from the standard library.
• Trimmed the electrode to the mold surface.
• Used a modeling function to complete the electrode relief.
Lesson
12 Creating Pockets
12
Purpose
It is necessary to add pockets to solid bodies in the assembly in order to create

correct drawings and to use the CAM module to machine them.
Objective

• Use various parts to create pockets in other parts as necessary to fully
define your tooling design.
Creating Pockets
Pocket Management
The concept for creating pockets is that the false body of a standard part is
linked to the target body part and is subtracted from the target body.
12 To minimize the number of features while designing, you should create
pockets at the last stage of mold design:
• After you cut pockets, the number of features in the assembly dramatically
increases, which can affect system performance.
• Some updates may fail if the standard parts are moved outside of their
target body.
To increase pocketing performance toggle on Break Association.

When you create custom standard parts choose a value for the part
attribute UM_STANDARD_PART to enable pocketing in the manner
you desire:
• UM_STANDARD_PART=1 means the part can be a tool for
pockets but not the target, for example fasteners.
• UM_STANDARD_PART=2 means the part can be a target for

pockets but not the tool, for example a mold plate.
• UM_STANDARD_PART=3 means the part can be both tool and a

target for pockets, for slider bodies.
Parts with the attribute 3 are restricted against editing via standard
part management.
Pocket Clearance
Pocket clearance depends on the standard part’s false body.

• You can change the clearance when you add or edit an insert
group/standard part.
• When you reposition or resize a standard part the pocket moves or

changes along with the standard part. This functionality occurs only
when Break Association option is toggled off.
Creating Pockets
Dialog Options
• The Part/Solid option buttons let you determine whether to subtract the
solid body in the false reference set (Part) or the selected solid body itself
(Solid).
12
• True, False, and Both options lets you change the reference set of the
selected tool objects.
• When the Break Association option is toggled on the association between

the standard part and the pocket is removed after cutting the pocket.
• Show Target and Tool Bodies Only displays only the target and tool
objects, which aids in viewing the cut pocket.
• Pocket Status Checking finds and selects insert groups or standard parts
which have not yet created a pocket.
• Remove Pocket lets you remove pockets from selected tool objects.
When you remove a standard part in the Standard Parts function,
its pockets are removed automatically.
Procedure
1. Select target body or bodies .
2. Select tool body or bodies .

To view intersecting objects (potential targets or tools) use Find
Intersecting Components .
Use Find Intersecting Components and Show Target and Tool

Bodies Only together to make the display and selection easy to
manage.
If you select a target or tool but not both Mold Wizard will search
for intersecting eligible bodies and use them.
3. Choose Apply.
For easier selection and checking use the View Manager function to
hide other components except target and tool bodies before creating
pockets.
Creating Pockets
Symbols for Threaded Holes
You can set pocket cutting to automatically create symbols for

threaded holes. Set the Thread Symbol option on the Pocket page at
File→Utilities→Customer Defaults→Mold Wizard→Others.
12
Creating Pockets
Activity: Slider/Lifter Pockets in the Mouse Assembly

In this activity you need to create pockets in the mold plates at the
lifter and slider locations.
You also need to create pockets between components of a sub 12
assembly.
Step 1: Load mouse_top_0 from the mouse_pockets folder.
Step 2: Create pockets in a slider head and body for fasteners.

Make mouse_sld_1015 the displayed part.
Choose Pocket Design.
Choose Target Bodies.
Select the slider head and the slider body.
Choose Tool Bodies.
Verify that the Part option is selected in the dialog.
Filter for components, and select the screw and both dowels.
Creating Pockets
Choose OK.
Use the Assembly Navigator MB3 → Display Parent to display

mouse_top_0.
12
Pockets in the other slider subassembly mouse_sld_1009 have
already been completed for you.
Step 3: Examine the false bodies for the lifters.
Choose Tool Bodies.
Select the two lifters.
Choose the True and False reference set options two or three
times to change between the pocket cutting and tooling bodies
of the lifters, ending with the false bodies.
Creating Pockets
Observe that the lifter false bodies extend into the cavity, as
shown below.
12
Close the dialog to reset it.
If you do not close the dialog to reset your selections some

tool bodies may not be found in the next step.
You will pocket the cavity body later, specifically avoiding

the lifters.
False bodies are not trimmed by mold trim.
The false bodies of the lifters extend into the cavity.

You do not want to select the lifters as tools when the
cavity body is a target.
Step 4: Create pockets in the mold plates for lifters and sliders.
Once again choose Pocket Design.
Orient the view to Front.
Creating Pockets
Select all 5 mold plates that intersect the sliders and lifters, 1
to 5 in the illustration.
12
Notice that the fill bodies (gates and runner) are visible.
The gates and runner intersect the plates; however, they

are entirely inside the insert bodies.
You can prevent bodies from being selected for pocketing
by blanking the bodies or their owning components.
In the assembly navigator over the mouse_fill_4 node use the

check box or MB3→Blank.
Choose Find Intersecting Components.
This action will select all solid bodies in the slider and lifter
components and the gating system as tool bodies.
Choose Show Target and Tool Bodies Only.
This allows you to quickly make a visual check of everything you

selected.
Choose Apply to create pockets in all of the mold base plates

that intersect the sliders and lifters.
Creating Pockets
With full associativity this action will take several minutes

to complete.
You may observe screen flickers representing reference
sets changing and various parts becoming the work part
as the system creates WAVE linked pocket cutting bodies 12
and subtracts them from the selected components.
Cancel the Pocket Management dialog to restore the full

display.
Choose File → Save All.
Step 5: Create lifter and slider component pockets in the mouse upper half
core and cavity bodies and the mouse lower half core body.
Using the check box in the assembly navigator Blank the
mouse_dm_10 and the mouse_misc_2 components.
Using Target Bodies select both the upper half core and cavity
and only the core body of the mouse lower half.
Creating Pockets
Choose Find Intersecting Components.
Choose Apply.
12
Step 6: Pocket all four insert pieces with the gates and runner.
Using the assembly navigator Blank the two sliders in
mouse_prod_1000 and the two lifters in mouse_prod_2000.
Unblank mouse_fill_4.
Select the four workpiece inserts.
Choose Tool Bodies.
Select the runner or either gate.
Choose OK.
Creating Pockets
Step 7: Check the status of all components.

Unblank all of the assembly.
Ctrl+Shift+U unblanks all of the displayed part.
12
Choose Pocket Status Checking.
The check will take about the same amount of time as the original
pocketing operation.
Choose File → Save All.
Step 8: Use the Window menu to display the upper core and lower core
components to verify that pockets were cut.
mouse_upper_core_1003 with pockets.
mouse_lower_core_2003 with pockets.
If you choose not to add bodies to true and false reference

sets you must use the Solid option instead of the Part
option in Pocket Management.
Creating Pockets
Summary
This lesson introduced Pocket Management.
In this lesson you:
12 • Learned how to organize reference sets to make part work with pocket
management.
• Created pockets at two different assembly levels.
Lesson
13 Customizing Mold Wizard
Purpose 13
In this lesson you will learn how to expand tooling libraries by adding your
own standard parts in existing or new catalogs.
Objective

• Create a file structure for a new catalog in the standard parts library.
• Recognize which files control catalog entries in Standard Parts

Management and similar dialogs.
• Create and modify parameter lists on the catalog and dimension pages of
Standard Parts Management.
Customizing Mold Wizard
Register New Standard Part

Mold Wizard provides a tool to help you register a part so that it will be
available for future use from the Mold Wizard menus.
As part of the Mold wizard setup you need to copy the
moldwizard_add_in.xla file from the Mold Wizard/templates directory
into your C:/Program Files/Microsoft Office/Office/XLstart directory,
C:/Program Files/Microsoft Office/Office10/XLstart directory, or your
XLSTART folder where ever it is located.
13 This file installs the macros necessary to run the register tool,
and also a conversion program necessary to convert Xess files into
Microsoft Excel files.
Before attempting to register a standard part the following tasks should

be completed.
• Model your template part.
The part should be modeled using techniques which will allow parametric
modification. It will be helpful if features and expressions have logical
names.
Preparing the template part is similar to working with a Part Family
template. Refer to the Mold Wizard documentation, under Standard
Parts, Standard Part Library Customization, Standard Part Model FAQ.
• Create a bitmap file that will be used within the standard parts dialog.
The bitmap file should clearly show the parameters that will be varied.
Refer to the Mold Wizard documentation, under Standard Parts, Standard
Part Library Customization, Standard Part Bitmap FAQ.
In Catalog Name key in a name for your new or existing custom catalog.
You can update to a new release easily if you keep all of your custom
work in separate directories.
Examples of Classification:
Injection
Ejection
Screw
Examples of Part Names:

Locating Ring
Sprue Bushing
Core Pin
Activity: Standard Part Registration

In this activity you need to register a standard part using the register
assistant.
Some of the set up work has already been completed for you. The part
has been modeled and the bitmap has been created.
Verify that the Mold Wizard application is active.
Step 1: Use File→Open to open the part to be registered.

13
Open the part standard_block from the register directory.
Step 2: Take a minute to inspect the part.

Look at the Part Navigator and expressions.
Step 3: View the bitmap created for this part.

In the operating system, navigate to your parts directory. Find
the file standard_block.bmp in the register directory and open
it by double-clicking on it.
Notice the parameters that can be altered are shown in the

bitmap. You will register the part so that those same variables
are available in the standard part dialog.
13
Step 4: Begin the Registration process
Choose Standard Parts.

You will add a new Catalog to the Standard Part Management
dialog.
Choose Register Standard Part on the Standard Part

Management dialog.
You may need to scroll down in the upper right portion

of the dialog.
Step 5: Enter data in the registration fields

Type MDP_Class in the Catalog Name field and then press
Enter on your keyboard.
Notice that as you pressed Enter the four directory listings

changed to indicate the directory MDP_Class.
Pressing Enter after each text input updates the File
Setting fields in the lower part of the dialog.
13
Type Blocks in the Classification Name field and press Enter.
Type Standard Block in the Part Name field and press Enter.
Step 6: Verify and modify the file names.

The designation of the Register file should be:
/standard/english/MDP_Class/MDP_Class.xs4
Be sure not to change the xs4 file name extension.

xs4 is the extension for a UNIX XESS spreadsheet. Mold
Wizard knows that you are working with a Windows
system and will adjust spreadsheet names accordingly.
Mold Wizard will automatically create the register file and

database file.
Change the designation of the Data file to:

/standard/english/MDP_Class/data/MDP_Class_dat.xs4
Notice that the path begins at the moldwizard folder.

You must manage your part libraries in that location.
To upgrade to a new release, simply copy your custom
directory (ies) over to the newer installation.
Verify the designation of the Model file:

/standard/english/MDP_Class/model/standard_block.prt
Verify the designation of the Bitmap

file: /standard/english/MDP_Class/model
/standard_block.bmp
Choose the Next button.
Step 7: Specify the Parameters to be used.

Using the arrows manipulate the list so that these parameters
are shown in this order :
13
In this example reference sets were already defined.
If they were not defined you would have used the True Body and
False Body icons to select the true and false bodies.
Choose Next.
Step 8: Change the POSITION to POINT.
Step 9: Add the attributes you would like to be present in the Standard
Block.
Use the Attribute Name pull-down widget shown above to open

the list.
Choose UM_STANDARD_PART.
Accept the default value of 1 by choosing OK on the

dialog.
Verify that the attribute now appears in the list. 13

The value of UM_STANDARD_PART attribute controls
how the Create Pocket function works with the part:
1 — the part can be used as a tool to create a pocket
2 — the part can be used as a target
3 — the part can be used as either a target or a tool
Use the entry window to set the value of these attributes:
DESIGNER = UGS
CATALOG = Block size <LENGTH> X <WIDTH>

The notation <LENGTH> X <BLOCK> will put the
selected values of the parameters LENGTH and
WIDTH on the Standard Part Management dialog and
in the CATALOG field of the BOM, for example 5.125
X 3.5.
DESCRIPTION = Repair Block
MATERIAL = Steel
SUPPLIER = Custom
Remember to use the Check Mark to accept each entered value.

Choose Finish.
Choose No when asked if you would first like to save the

assembly.
The Register Standard Part Wizard should now take over and will
briefly show you the register and data spreadsheets it has created.
This function makes use of spreadsheet Macros. A
security setting of medium or less is required for this
function. The security setting can be found for MS Excel
at Tools→Macros→Security. If the setting is Medium
13 (recommended) you will be asked to confirm that each
macro is OK to run.
Enable Macros for each of two spreadsheets that Mold Wizard

creates.
Step 10: Replace the auto-generated bitmap with the previously created
one.
In the operating system, copy the file standard_block.bmp
from the register directory and paste it into the
MOLDWIZARD/standard/english/MDP_Class/bitmap directory.
Confirm any "Overwrite" message you may get.
You aren’t finished yet but you can now inspect the results so far.
If you received an error or were otherwise unsuccessful ask your
instructor for assistance.
Step 11: Inspect the newly registered part to see the "intermediate" results.
Dismiss any remaining dialogs then select the Standard Part
Icon then choose MDP_Class from the Catalog pull-down menu.
Step 12: Modify the Data Base file to include more size options.
Choose the Edit Database icon.
Enable Macros.
Your data base file will open.
In Excel, Open the Excel file import.xls from the register

directory.
13
Highlight cells A1 through F18 and choose MB3 → Copy.
Be care not to copy too much.
This sheet contains multiple copy/paste areas.
Return to the original data spreadsheet.
Put your cursor in Cell A23 and paste the contents of the
import file using MB3 → Paste.
Take a moment to observe how the rows and columns are

organized.
The information you pasted will create and populate pull-down
options on the standard parts dialog.
Save the data spreadsheet but do not close Excel.
Step 13: Refresh the standard part display to see the results.
In the standard part dialog change the Catalog from
MDP_Class to another option then back to MDP_Class.
Choose the Length of 1 at the bottom of the dialog.
Choose a value of 4 or greater and note the additional

pull-down options that appear.
13 A line appears for each row in the parameters section.
The first variable is always a pull-down option.
There is one option in the first pull-down list for every
unique value of the first variable.
If there are rows with no entry for a variable, the value
of the first non-empty value above is used.
If there are multiple rows where one or more
values differ pull-down lists appear for every valid
combination of values.
If there are comma separated values for variables in a
row pull-down lists with the indicated values appear
when that row is active.
Step 14: Replace the pull-down lists with slider controls.

Return to the Excel window for import.xls.
Highlight cells A24 through F42 and choose MB3→Copy.
Return to the data spreadsheet.
Put your cursor in Cell A23 and paste the contents of the
import file using MB3 → Paste.
Save the spreadsheet.
Step 15: Refresh the standard part display to see the results.
In the NX standard part dialog change the Catalog from
MDP_Class to another option then back to MDP_Class.
Choose the length pull-down and change the value to 5 or

greater..
Notice the appearance of slider controls at the bottom right

corner of the dialog.
A slider control appears when a cell has the syntax

’Min~Max where
Min is the minimum value the slider can set.
Max is the maximum value the slider can set.
Typically, the first variable will have a fixed value
in each row of the spreadsheet. You would probably
choose a variable to be first based on its importance to
you and its having a list of a dozen or so exact possible
values.
If the first variable happens to require a range of 13
values, the first pull-down control will show the range,
as in this case. The pull-down for the first variable
cannot be hidden.
Step 16: Set a default value for the sliders.

In the import.xls spreadsheet, copy cells A48 through F66.
All number values must be in text format.

In Excel you can format the cells specifically as text (the
default is general) or use a leading single quote to indicate
that a number value is stored as text.
Paste the values at cell A23 in the data spreadsheet.
Save the spreadsheet data.
Refresh the Standard Part Management dialog by closing it

and opening it again.
Change the Length to 5.
Notice that the Width defaults to 2 and the A_Height to 3,

corresponding with cells B24 and C24 respectively.
Once the slider controls have taken some initial value,

further changes in the Length do not change slider values.
This logic preserves any values you had previously set as
long as the value combinations remain valid.
To refresh the Standard Part Management dialog choose
Cancel, and then choose Standard Parts.
Notice that the A_Height slider now defaults to 4,

corresponding with ’2~4~6 in cell C26.
A slider control has a default value when it first appears

when a cell has the syntax ’Min~Default~Max where
Defaut is the initial value when the slider first
appears.
13
Step 17: Add fixed increments to slider control values.
In the import.xls spreadsheet, copy cells A72 through F90.
All number values must be in text format.

In Excel you can format the cells specifically as text (the
default is general) or use a leading single quote to indicate
that a number value is stored as text.
Paste the values at cell A23 in the data spreadsheet.
Save the spreadsheet data.
To refresh the Standard Part Management dialog choose
Cancel, and then choose Standard Parts.
Notice that the Width now changes in increments of 0.5 and

the A_Height changes in increments of 0.25.
A slider control has a value increment when a cell has the

syntax ’Min~Default~Max+Inc or ’Min~Max+Incwhere
Defaut is the initial value when the slider first
appears.
Inc is the incremental value in which the slider can
be changed.
Step 18: Optional Step.

Close the part you are looking at and open a project you have
previously worked on.
Experiment using your new Standard Block.
Do not save the project.
See the documentation under

Help→Documentation→Knowlege Driven 13
Applications→Mold Wizard→Standard Parts→Advanced
Spreadsheet for additional details and any functional
updates in new releases.
Summary
This lesson introduced the standard part library structure and the Standard
Part Register tool.
In this lesson you:
• Organized your library file structure to extend the Mold Wizard standard
parts library.
13 • Added a simple part to a library and manipulated available parameters

that appear in Standard Parts Management.
Appendix
A Additional Projects
This appendix contains Additional Projects for you to work on.
Power Tool Casing

A
This part file can be found in /case2/mdp_case2.
©UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved Mold Wizard Design Process — Student Guide A-1
A
Additional Projects
Coffee Filter Housing
This part can be found in /coffee/mdp_coffee.
A
Additional Projects
Mounting Flange
This part can be found in /flange/mdp_flange.
A
Additional Projects
Axle Frame
This part can be found in /wagon/mdp_axfram.

A
A
Additional Projects
Saw Case
This part can be found in /sawcover/mdp_sawcover.
A
Additional Projects
Wagon Bed
This part can be found in /wagon/mdp_bed.
A
Index
Index
A MW_PartingPatchBodyLayer . . . 2-30
Add Existing Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . 5-33 MW_WorkPieceOffset . . . . . . . . . 1-28
Auto Cavity Core . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-48 Delete Parting Surfaces . . . . . . . . . 5-34
Auto Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
Auto Hole Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26 E
Auto Transition Objects . . . . . . . . . 5-31 Edge Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Edit Guide Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
C Edit Parting Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-30
Cavity Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2 Edit Parting Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . 5-33
Circular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6 Edit Transition Objects . . . . . . . . . 5-31
Rectangular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2 Ejector Pin Postprocessing
Reposition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Check Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-48 Electrode Design
Check Overlapping . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-48 Legacy Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2
Circular Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2
Cloning Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 Standard Part Approach . . . . . . . 11-2
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2 Enlarge Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-46
Core & Cavity Existing Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Auto Cavity Core . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-48 Extend Solid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-59
Check Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-48
Check Overlapping . . . . . . . . . . . 5-48 F
Create Cavity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-48 Face Split . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Create Core . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-48 Family Mold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Create Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9 Remove Family Member . . . . . . . . 4-2
Create Cavity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-48
Create Core . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-48
G
Create Parting Surfaces . . . . . . . . . 5-33
Distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-33 Gate Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Enlarged Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35 Gate Point Indication . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Tolerance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-33 Gates and Runners
Customer Default Settings Gate Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Project Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Runner Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10
D
I
Default File Settings
MW_DefaultsUnit . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28 Initialize Project . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2, 4-2
MW_HideObjectLayer . . . . . . . . 2-29 and Mold Csys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
©UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved Mold Wizard Design Process — Student Guide Index-1
Index
Project Initialize Create Cavity . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-48

Rename Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 Create Core . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-48
Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Parting Lines
Edit Parting Lines . . . . . . . . 5-30
L Merge Parting Lines . . . . . . 5-30
Transition Objects . . . . . . . . 5-32
Lifters Traverse Loop . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Slider and Lifter Design . . . . . . . 7-13 Parting Segments
Edit Guide Lines . . . . . . . . . 5-32
M Show All Extend
Merge Parting Lines . . . . . . . . . . . 5-30 Directions . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Mold Base Management . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 Transition Objects . . . . . . . . 5-31
Bitmap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 Parting Surfaces
Catalog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 Add Existing Surfaces . . . . . 5-33
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 Create Parting Surfaces . . . . 5-33
Rotate Mold Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3 Delete Parting Surfaces . . . . 5-34
Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 Edit Parting Surfaces . . . . . . 5-33
Mold Csys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16 Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Mold Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3 Transition Objects . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Auto Hole Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26 Trim-based concept . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Create Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9 Parting Lines
Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5 Edit Parting Lines . . . . . . . . . . . 5-30
Edge Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7 Merge Parting Lines . . . . . . . . . . 5-30
Enlarge Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-46 Transition Objects . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31
Existing Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8 Transition Points . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Extend Solid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-59 Traverse Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Face Split . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15 Partial Loops by Face Color . . 5-29
Profile Split . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-45 Traverse by Face Color . . . . . 5-29
Reference Blend . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-60 Traverse Interactively . . . . . 5-29
Replace Solid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-58 Parting Segments
Solid Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-44 Edit Guide Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Split Solid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21 Show All Extend Directions . . . . 5-32
Surface Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6 Transition Objects
Trim Region Patch . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22 Auto Transition Objects . . . . 5-31
Trim Solid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-56 Edit Transition Objects . . . . 5-31
Mold Trim Parting Surfaces
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8 Add Existing Surfaces . . . . . . . . 5-33
Create Parting Surfaces . . . . . . . 5-33
Distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-33
P
Tolerance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-33
Partial Loops by Face Color . . . . . . 5-29 Delete Parting Surfaces . . . . . . . 5-34
Parting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2 Edit Parting Surfaces . . . . . . . . . 5-33
Core & Cavity Patch Up
Auto Cavity Core . . . . . . . . . 5-48 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Check Geometry . . . . . . . . . 5-48 Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Check Overlapping . . . . . . . . 5-48 Sheet Patches . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Index-2 Mold Wizard Design Process — Student Guide ©UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved mt10420_g NX 4
Index
Solid Patches . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4 Edit Register File . . . . . . . . . . 7-6

Pocket Creation Flip Direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8 Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6
Pocket Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2 List Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Clearance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2 New Component . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-3 Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6
Threaded Hole Symbols . . . . . . . 12-4 Parent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2–7-3
Profile Split . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-45 Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
Project Initialize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Reference Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
Rename Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 Register New Standard Part . . 7-7
Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Remove Component . . . . . . . . 7-6
Rename Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
R Reposition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7
True / False Bodies . . . . . . . . . 7-6
Rectangle Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2 Dimension Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Reference Blend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-60 Calculated Value Display . . . 7-10
Rename Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 Dimension Edit Window . . . . 7-10
Replace Solid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-58 Dimension List . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Reposition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12 Geometric Expression Link . . 7-11
Auto Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12 Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Remove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12 Interpart Expression Link . . 7-11
Removing the only instance . . . . 4-10 Lock / Unlock . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Runner Design Unlock All . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Channel Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10 Other Functions sharing the same
Guide String Definition . . . . . . . . 9-10 interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8–7-9
Standard Part Register Tool . . . . . . 13-2
S Surface Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Show All Extend Directions . . . . . . 5-32
Shrinkage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17 T
Edit Scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18 Toolbar Icons
Slider and Lifter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-13 Cavity Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Head Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-13 Ejector Pin Postprocessing
Orientation of... . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Sub Assembly Structure . . . . . . . 7-13 Family Mold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Slider and Lifter Design . . . . . . . . . 7-13 Initialize Project . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2, 4-2
Solid Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-44 Mold Base Management . . . . . . . . 6-2
Split Solid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21 Mold Csys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Standard Part Management . . . . . . . 7-2 Mold Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Catalog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2 Mold Trim
Catalog Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Add / Modify . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5 Parting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Associative Position . . . . . . . . 7-5 Parting Surfaces . . . . . . . . . 5-33
Classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2 Pocket Creation
Comment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4 Shrinkage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Edit Database . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6 Slider and Lifter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-13
©UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved Mold Wizard Design Process — Student Guide Index-3
Index
Transition Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31 Trim Region Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22

Auto Transition Objects . . . . . . . 5-31 Trim Solid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-56
Edit Transition Objects . . . . . . . . 5-31 True / False Bodies . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6
Transition Points . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Transition Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32 U
Traverse by Face Color . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
UM_PARTING_LINES . . . . . . . . . 5-38
Traverse Interactively . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
UM_TRANSIT_CURVES . . . . . . . . 5-38
Traverse Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
UM_TRANSIT_POINTS . . . . . . . . 5-38
Partial Loops by Face Color . . . . . 5-29
Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Traverse by Face Color . . . . . . . . 5-29
Traverse Interactively . . . . . . . . 5-29
Index-4 Mold Wizard Design Process — Student Guide ©UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved mt10420_g NX 4

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Mold Wizard Design Process

Manual Software Publication

This edition obsoletes all previous editions.

Proprietary & Restricted Rights Notice

This software and related documentation are proprietary to UGS Corp.

©2006 UGS Corp.

2 Mold Wizard Design Process — Student Guide mt10420_g NX 4

Initializing a Mold Design Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

Mold Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

Activity: Surface, Edge, Existing Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10

Cavity Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

Family Molds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Define/Edit Parting Segments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31

Mold Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

Standard Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1

Gates and Runners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1

Cooling Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1

Electrode Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1

Creating Pockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1

Customizing Mold Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-1

Additional Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

• Design Applications Using NX course

We highly recommend, but do not require, that the student has:

• Experience with NX Assemblies, WAVE, Direct Modeling, and Free Form

• Apply a shrink factor

• Define core and cavity regions within a product model

• Create patch up (shut off) geometry

• Create mold tooling inserts

• Use Mold Base Libraries to choose a standard mold base

• Use Standard Part Libraries to select and position common parts,

• Create a Bill of Materials

• Begin a mold assembly drawing

• Be considerate of the needs of other students.

• Stick with the subject matter.

• Listen attentively and take notes.

• Practice on the job what you have learned.

How to Use this Book

The format of activities is consistent throughout this manual. Steps are

The general format for lesson content is:

• confirm with restatement

• attend and pay attention to instruction as it is given.

Obviously, it is always necessary for students to consider the classroom

Tip — useful information such as advice on how to make a task flow

Note — miscellaneous noteworthy information.

Example — used to show a possible way that the current topic of

Caution — important reminders or information about a task.

Warning — informs you of information that is essential to your

Classroom System Information

Roles, Toolbars, and Menus

NX has many advanced capabilities, but while

As you progress you may want to use more functions.

• Click the role you want.

• Acknowledge the warning message.

NX provides customization tools to fine tune your interface.

To add a command to a menu or toolbar:

Class Standards for NX Part Files

Parts Directory Structure

1 Initializing a Mold Design Project

Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Examine the material database.

• Discuss the function of key members of the Mold Wizard assembly

• Explain the capabilities of the NX Scale function.

• Add a "user defined" work piece to a project.