Defining parting planes

In this task you will add a parting plane to the model to indicate where the mold separates when it is opened.

1. Click (Home tab > Mold Type panel > Part Only) and select Single cavity from the Mold Type drop-down list. A dialog appears warning you that study results are about to be deleted.
2. Click Delete.
3. Click (Home tab > Create panel > Geometry) to open the Geometry tab.
4. Click (Geometry tab > Mold panel > Set Parting Plane). The model is displayed with the mold outline and a red line and square grab handles across the model. This line represents the parting plane. The Set parting plane dialog is displayed in the Tools panel.
5. Ensure the Display Grid and Snap to grid check-boxes in the Grid settings box are selected.
6. Click Bottom then Apply.
   Tip: You can set the parting plane at other positions using the following methods:

   • Click Top.
   • Select the injection cone. The parting plane is then set at the Z coordinate of the injection point.
   • Drag the red parting plane handles vertically (clear the Snap to grid check-box to make fine adjustments).
   • Enter a value in the Z depth of plane text box.
   The parting plane has been automatically set at the bottom of the cavity and an outline of the proposed mold is displayed.
7. Click Save Study on the Quick Access toolbar at the top of the window. To avoid later confusion, give this study a meaningful name.
8. Select the Tasks tab from the Project panel.
9. Right-click on speedo_study and select Rename.
10. Type Speedo_initial in the text box and press Enter. This study will be used in future tutorials. Please take note of the Project name and where it is stored. The default project location is the Windows My Documents\My ASMA xxxx Projects folder (where xxxx is the software release).
    Note: Windows Vista, replace My Documents with Documents in your project path.

The model has been developed to a point where different parameters can be investigated to optimize the part and the molding process.