Creating runners manually

Note: Before the runners can be created, you must set the sprue.

1. Click ( Geometry tab > Feed System panel > Runner ).
2. In the Type area, the default runner type and properties are displayed.

   If you need to change the runner type or properties:

   1. Click Browse.
   2. Change the default runner type and/or properties to the required values.
   3. Click Ok to accept the new values. The new runner type and properties values will be used for all new runner sections created.
3. If necessary, select the Display Grid and/or Snap to grid checkbox.
   Tip: Use the Defaults button to change the grid properties.
4. There are two ways to create the runner.

   Defined by coordinates

   Note: Z coordinates entered by clicking on the modeling grid are superseded when values are manually entered.

   1. Enter the X, Y and Z coordinates for the runner start point.
   2. If necessary, in the End point section select the Relative position checkbox.
   3. Enter the X, Y and Z coordinates for the runner end point.

   Defined by clicking on the model pane

   Note: If you enter X, Y and Z coordinates, and then click on the modeling grid while the values are still active, the X and Y coordinates are superseded by the grid point coordinates, and the Z coordinate changes to the modeling plane Z value, selected from the Location drop-down list.

   1. If necessary, select an alternative modeling plane from the Location drop-down list.
      Tip: Click Edit to create a different modeling plane.
   2. Click on the modeling plane, or on a runner/sprue intersection point to define the runner start point.
      Tip: If you choose to click an intersection point, make sure Snap to runner is selected.
      Note: Depending on where the starting point is defined, one of the following indicators appears:

      Vertical line

      Displayed when you click on the modeling grid.

      End intersection point

      Displayed when your start point is in alignment with an end intersection point.

      Centre intersection point

      Displayed when your start point is in alignment with a central intersection point.

   3. Click on the modeling plane, or on a runner/gate intersection point to define the runner end point.
      Note: As you move the rubberband center line around the model pane, the following indicators may appear:

      Vertical line

      Displayed when your rubberband center line is parallel to the Y axis.

      Horizontal line

      Displayed when your rubberband center line is parallel to the X axis.

      End intersection point

      Displayed when your end point is in alignment with an end intersection point.

      Center intersection point

      Displayed when your end point is in alignment with a central intersection point.

      Rotation Angle

      Displayed when your rubberband center line is at 45 degrees to the X or Y axis.

      Gate location

      Displayed when your end point is in alignment with the injection point.

      Click on this point if you want to define the runner section as a gate.

5. If necessary, click Apply to create the runner section.
6. Additional runner sections can be added in the following ways:
   • To create a runner section that continues from the previous runner section, make sure the Auto-connect to next runner checkbox is selected, and then click on the display to set the end point of the next section (The end point of the first section automatically becomes the start point of the next section).
   • To create a runner section from the same or a different start point, make sure the Auto-connect to next runner checkbox is deselected, and repeat step 4 and 5.
   • To create a runner section beginning from the start point, end point or midpoint of an existing runner section, make sure the Snap to runner checkbox is selected, and click on the display when the relevant intersection point (shown as a yellow band) is displayed.
7. To finish runner creation, click OK.