Best gate location result

The Best gate location result is generated by the Gate Location analysis. This result rates each place on the model for its suitability as an injection location.

The most suitable areas are rated as best and are colored blue. The least suitable areas of the model are rated as worst and colored red. A best location rating does not necessarily mean that the part can be filled from this location. This must be checked by running a full analysis.

The Best gate location result is output by using the following two Gate Location analysis algorithms.

• The Advanced Gate Locator algorithm minimizes the flow resistance when determining the best gate position for the first and only injection location. You can specify prohibited gate nodes to block the solver from recommending an injection location in the prohibited areas.
• The Gate Region Locator algorithm uses a combination of conditions to determine the best gate location and subsequent gate locations.

Note: The Advanced Gate Locator algorithm will not output this result if there are existing gates, or if you are adding more than one gate.

If there are no injection locations on the model, the Gate Location analysis will determine the best place for a single gate given the selected material.

When one or more injection locations already exist, this result suggests the best place for the next gate location. It uses the selected material, and balances the flow, so that areas filled from each gate fill at the same time.

Using this result

You can use the Advanced Gate Locator algorithm to place an injection location on your model. Using this algorithm, the Gate Location analysis automatically creates a new study with a copy of your model, placing the injection location at the best position, ready for a Fill analysis. Use Fill analysis results to check the suitability of this injection location.

When you use the Gate Region Locator algorithm, place an injection location somewhere within the best gate locations in a position that best suits the mold or part design constraints, and run a Fill analysis.

You can use the Gate Region Locator algorithm in conjunction with Fill analysis results to test the suitability of several locations in order to determine the best position.

The areas recommended for the injection location are the areas worth pursuing as potential injection locations. However, the result is relative to the least and most suitable areas for the particular model, so the most suitable areas do not necessarily represent a good solution, but rather the best one for the case at hand.

Areas with the same color represent equally suitable positions.

When you have evaluated the Fill results using different injection locations to determine the best location, find that area on your model, and add an injection location.

Things to look for

When viewing the Best gate location result, watch for the following:

• Evaluate potential areas for their suitability against any production limitations and guidelines. For example, the result might suggest placing an injection location where it is not possible to gate or in an area that will cause an undesirable blemish.
• Select the injection location that is furthermost from the existing gates when looking at the Next best gate location result.