Three-Plate Mold Base Kinematics

In this section, we examine the kinematic constraints of a three-plate mold base. A three-plate mold base contains four key constraints:

• PL1 = Constraint between runner stripper plate (RSP) and cavity plate (AP)
• PL2 = Constraint between runner stripper plate (RSP) and top clamping plate (TCP).
• PL3 = Constraint between core plate (BP) and cavity plate (AP).
• Ejection = Constraint between the ejector plate (EP) and bottom clamping plate (BCP).

1. Change to the Model browser and expand the Mold_Kinematics _MB (Mold Base) assembly node.
   Tip: Choose the drop-down at the top of the browser to switch between Mold Design, Model, and Representations browser display.
2. Expand Mold_Kinematics_MB_DA-IH-RSP to view the constraints.

   Notice the mate constraint named PL1. Right-click PL1 and select Other Half in the context menu to locate the second half of the constraint.

   The browser exposes the second half of the constraint contained in Mold_Kinematics_MB_DA-IH-AP.

3. Right-click PL1 in either location and select Drive Constraint.
4. On the Drive Constraint dialog box, leave the Start value as 0, and the End value as 150 mm and select the Forward play button.
5. Select the Reverse play button to return the mold to the closed position.
6. Click OK to close the dialog box.
   Note: If you close the dialog box before returning to the closed position, the active constraint value is changed to 150 mm.
7. Notice the PL2 constraint is also located under Mold_Kinematics_MB_DA-IH-RSP. Right-click PL2 and select Other Half in the context menu to locate the second half of the constraint.

   The browser exposes the second half of the constraint contained in Mold_Kinematics_MB_DA-IH-TCP.

8. Expand Mold_Kinematics_MB_DA-IH-BP to view the constraints.

   Notice the mate constraint named PL3. Right-click PL3 and select Other Half in the context menu.

   The browser exposes the second half of the constraint contained in Mold_Kinematics_MB_DA-IH-AP.

9. Expand Mold_Kinematics_MB_DA-IH-EP to view the constraints.

   Notice the mate constraint named Ejection. Right-click Ejection and select Other Half in the context menu.

   The browser exposes the second half of the constraint contained in Mold_Kinematics_MB_DA-IH-BCP.

10. On the Model browser, expand the Representations node.
11. Expand the Position node. Notice there are seven representations; Master, Runner Open, Sprue Open, Product Open, Ejection, Close, and Free Drag.
    • Right-click the Runner Open node and click Activate, Observe the position change.
    • Right-click the Sprue Open node and click Activate, Observe the position change.
    • Right-click the Product Open node and click Activate, Observe the position change.
    • Right-click the Ejection node and click Activate. Observe the position change.
    • Right-click the Close node and click Activate. Observe the position change.
    • Right-click the Free Drag node and click Activate. Drag the movable components on the graphics screen.
12. Right-click the Master node and click Activate.
13. Note: Edits to the mold are disabled unless the mold is in the closed position and Master representation.

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