Preliminary mode

The preliminary study mode is a new approach of TopSolid’Mold. This mode is useful for several reasons:

• It allows you to run quickly a preliminary study.

• It allows you to can calculate estimates by having a more precise idea of the crude to use.

• It allows you to keep 3D elements created in preliminary study in your final study.

• It allows you to have a best management and more quick big modifications on complex blocks.

• It makes easier the concurrent engineering.

General procedure:

1. Open the file of your part to inject.

2. Create a new document TopSolid'Mold in preliminary mode.

3. The background color changes in order to indicate you that you are in preliminary study mode. Moreover, the document name becomes "Mold in preliminary mode…". Finally, in the management menu, the preliminary study mode is activated.

4. Insert the part, solid or surface. Then consider all the surfaces as one element that can be selected in one time with without neither sewing nor geometrical checking.

5. Separate core/cavity blocks in order to create "ghost blocks".

6. The management of "ghost blocks" is identical to the practice. The visualization, the assignments, the symbolic tree are identical to a normal mode.

7. Create a new draft document.

8. Project views Ejection/Injection of your Mold set.

9. Create a full section. « Correct » this view to represent a « true » full section view.

10. Return in your preliminary study document. You can create pipe circuits in your core/cavity blocks, pose a mold base, position guiding, ejector pins if the part is solid, etc…

The main idea is to realize all that is possible in the 3D document (mold base management, insertions, cooling systems …). As you work with "ghost blocks", the modifications are quick and without risks. You can also begin or create parting lines and parting surfaces if you want to visualize complex zones.

11. Your customer sends you a new PDD..

12. Open the file of this part.

13. Sart the function Modify part, then REPLACE PART.

14. Select new geometries. The replacement is done. Your preliminary design is updated.

15. When you estimate to have finished with the preliminary study, disable it in the management menu. The system asks you if you want to save your file in preliminary study mode.

16. Then, the system asks you if you want to continue your study with the same part(s). Answer NO and select the new design.

17. Exit from the preliminary design mode.

18. Create your parting lines.

19. Then, create the corresponding parting surfaces.

20. Start the core/cavity blocks trimming, and use the button TRIMMING. Select the parting surfaces. The core/cavity blocks are created, and the operations (regulation drills for example) take back in the corresponding blocks.

21. Thanks to the insertion tool, you can come back under the trimming operation and thus make of this trimming operation the last operation of core/cavity block.

22. In managing correctly this cursor, you could place the "heavy" operation before the trimming operation.

23. Click again on this icon to put back the insert.

Specific point(s):

The preliminary design mode is a TOTALLY associative mode.

To relieve your complex mold designs:

• If possible, start your design in preliminary mode

• Create the "ghost blocks" at the beginning.

• Create then your parting lines and your parting surfaces.

• Use the TRIMMING button to create the "normal" blocks from the "ghost blocks".

• Use the insertion icon to insert "heavy" operations under the trimming.

Contact the TopSolid'Mold technical support for any further informations.

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