This dialog allows you to set the runner type, start and end point coordinates, method of connection between runner segments, and modeling grid settings.
To access this dialog, click 
().
The design of the runner system affects the amount of material used and the quality of the parts produced.
The runner Type initially is set to the default runner type specified. You can accept the default runner type, or click 
Browse to open the Runner Properties dialog and change the default runner type for all new runners.
There are two ways to use this dialog to create runners:
- Enter the X, Y and Z coordinates in the Start point and End point section, and then click Apply, or
- Set the modeling plane, and then click on the display to set the runner Start point. Repeat for the runner End point. The X, Y and Z coordinates of the Start point and End point will be updated automatically.
The Grid settings allow you to display or hide a modeling grid, and add and/or set a modeling plane. If the modeling grid is displayed, you can choose the Snap to grid option to help you locate runner segments precisely. You can also access the default grid properties and change them if necessary.
Dialog elements
- Runner type
- Indicates the type, shape and dimension of the runner.
Click
to edit the runner properties. - Edit...
- Edit the runner type.
- Start point
- Specifies the coordinates that will be used as a starting point for the runner.
- X, Y and Z start point coordinates
- Specifies the X, Y and Z coordinates for the start point. Note: Changing the Z: coordinate to a value that does not correspond to an existing parting plane changes the name of the parting plane to user-defined.Tip: To quickly change the Z: coordinate, select a parting plane from the Plane drop-down list.
- End point
- Specifies the coordinates that will be used as an ending point for the runner.
- Relative position
- Specify that the End point coordinates indicate a distance from the Start point, and not an absolute location.
- X, Y and Z end point coordinates
- Specifies the coordinates of the runner intersection. You can create a runner by entering coordinates in the X, Y and Z text boxes. Note: Changing the Z: coordinate to a value that does not correspond to an existing parting plane changes the name of the parting plane to user-defined.Tip: To quickly change the Z: coordinate, select a parting plane from the Plane drop-down list.
- Auto-connect to next runner
- Create a runner segment that continues from the previous runner segment.
- Snap to runner
- Start the new segment from the closest available point of an existing runner segment.
- Grid Settings
- Enables/disables grid options.
This area of the dialog specifies whether the grid appears when you create or move a runner/cooling channel, whether the runner/cooling channel is constrained to the grid points, and allows you to define the grid settings.
- Location
- Set or edit a modeling plane.
- Edit
- Modify the properties of the selected plane.
- Display grid
- Specifies whether a grid appears when you create or move runners, cooling channels and parting planes, or size the mold. Note: The grid is parallel to the X-Y plane.
- Snap to grid
- Specifies that the nearest grid point is automatically used when you create or move runners, cooling channels, or parting planes, or size the mold using the mouse. This helps define exact dimensions. Tip: You can turn the Snap to grid option on and off while you are drawing a new cross section.
- Defaults
- Opens the Define Grid dialog, and allows you to set the grid size, style and origin.