Mesh orientation diagnostic

Mesh orientation is used to provide a consistent means of differentiating between the two sides of a two-dimensional, 3-noded element, as used in Midplane and Dual Domain meshes. The simplest convention is to call one side of the element the top, and the other side the bottom.

When viewing the mesh orientation, the top side of the element is shown blue, and the bottom side is shown red. For a Dual Domain model, the entire model should be blue. In general, for a Midplane model, the elements facing the cavity should be blue, elements facing the core should be red.

How is the top and bottom of an element determined?

Autodesk Simulation Moldflow Insight applies the right-hand rule to the sequence of nodes defining an element, to determine the normal direction to the element. For example, if you look down on an element and the sequence of the nodes defining that element is in a counterclockwise direction (curl the fingers of your right hand in a counterclockwise direction), then the normal will be upwards (your thumb will be pointing upwards) and the side of the element facing you is defined to be the top.

Where is orientation used and required?

The following table summarizes which types of analysis require the mesh to be oriented, and the principal purpose(s) of orientation:

Analysis type	Purpose of orientation
All	Determines positive-side and negative-side when plotting a result against Normalized thickness.
Fill+Pack	Determines top and bottom side when assigning different mold materials to each side of Midplane elements. Provides consistent top/bottom definition for the orientation at skin and polymer skin thickness plots.
Cooling	Provides consistent top/bottom definition for temperature results on part, mold insert, and parting plane. Determines whether part inserts and in-mold labels are in contact with top or bottom of the part.
Stress	Determines direction of applied pressure load.

How do I orient my model correctly?

The required mesh orientation depends on the type of mesh, Midplane or Dual Domain, and the particular feature in the model. The orientation requirements are summarized in the following table:

Model feature	Property name	Orientation requirement
Part	Part surface (Midplane)	User-selectable definition of top (blue) and bottom (red), for example, top = cavity, bottom = core. Orientation of bosses, ribs, etc, is also user-selectable and each feature must be oriented consistently.
Part	Part surface (Dual Domain)	Top (blue) must face outwards.
Part	Part (3D)	Orientation not required.
Cold gate	Cold gate surface (Midplane)	User-selectable definition of top (blue) and bottom (red).
Cold gate	Cold gate surface (Dual Domain)	Orientation not required.
Mold	Mold block surface	Top (blue) must face outwards.
Mold insert	Mold insert surface	Top (blue) must face outwards.
Part insert	Part insert surface	If the orientation of the part insert element is opposite to the adjacent Midplane part element, then the insert is considered to be in contact with the top of the part, and vice versa.
Parting plane	Parting surface	User-selectable definition of top (blue) and bottom (red), for example, top = cavity, bottom = core.
In-mold label	In-mold label	For Dual Domain part mesh, top (blue) must face part element. For Midplane part mesh, if the orientation of the label element is opposite to the adjacent Midplane part element, then the label is considered to be in contact with the top of the part, and vice versa.