Modeling a part insert using a 3D mesh

Tip:

• You can use MDL 6.0 and later to mesh assemblies. This ensures a proper mesh between the part and the part insert.
• If you used Direct Import to import a CAD assembly, you can directly assign a property to each body before meshing the assembly. For example, you can assign the Part insert (3D) property to one of the bodies of an assembly.

Note: The part and part insert must be modeled with the same coordinate system.

1. Create a model of the part insert in a separate CAD file and import it into a new study file.
2. Mesh the part insert as a Dual Domain mesh with the same density as the part.
3. Before creating a 3D mesh, ensure that the elements of the part insert are perfectly aligned with the elements of the plastic part, so that the faces of the part insert elements are in perfect contact with the plastic part elements. To check that the part insert and plastic part are perfectly aligned, follow the steps below:
   1. Click then click (Open > Add) to add the part study into the part insert study.
   2. Click View tab > Appearance panel > Entities.
   3. On the Default Display tab, set all mesh elements to Transparent + Element Edges, then click Ok.
   4. Check if the mesh of the plastic part and part insert perfectly align.
      Tip: Use cutting planes to assist in viewing the mesh.
   5. If the mesh is not aligned, delete a portion of the part insert that does not align with the plastic part, and use the imported plastic part elements to re-construct the part insert.
      Note: Ensure there are no mesh defects such as free edges, holes, overlaps or intersections.
   6. Delete any remaining portion of the plastic part model.
4. Change the part insert mesh type to 3D, and then create a 3D mesh.
5. Use the Mesh Repair Wizard to check the quality of the 3D mesh
6. Assign the Part insert (3D) property to all the elements of the part insert.
7. Assign values to the Part Insert properties:
   • material (metal or polymer)
   • local mold surface temperature control (where the insert does not touch plastic, the default assumes it is touching the mold)
   • occurrence number (this should be the same value as the part)
   • mold properties (the properties of the mold elements which the part insert contacts)
   • initial temperature if the part insert is heated.
8. Add the part insert to the model of the part by clicking then (Open > Add).