CSWP Mold Design 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of the Parting Line feature in SOLIDWORKS Mold Tools?
- To add a cosmetic line around the perimeter of a part
- To define the boundary between the core and cavity halves of a mold (Correct answer)
- To split a part body into multiple solid bodies
- To create a weld seam on assembled mold components
Correct answer: To define the boundary between the core and cavity halves of a mold
The Parting Line defines the edge where the core and cavity mold halves meet, which is required before generating parting and shut-off surfaces.
Question 2: What does applying a draft angle to the walls of a molded part accomplish?
- It adds a cosmetic chamfer to visible edges
- It increases wall thickness to prevent sink marks
- It allows the part to be ejected from the mold without damage (Correct answer)
- It reduces the total volume of material required
Correct answer: It allows the part to be ejected from the mold without damage
Draft angles provide a slight taper on vertical walls so the part can release cleanly from the mold during ejection without sticking or tearing.
Question 3: Which SOLIDWORKS tool uses a color-coded map to identify faces with insufficient draft relative to a pull direction?
- Interference Detection
- Draft Analysis (Correct answer)
- Zebra Stripes
- Curvature Analysis
Correct answer: Draft Analysis
Draft Analysis uses color mapping to display positive draft, negative draft, and straddle faces, helping the designer confirm all walls will release properly.
Question 4: In a standard two-part injection mold, which half typically forms the external (cosmetic) surfaces of the molded part?
- The core (B-side)
- The cavity (A-side) (Correct answer)
- The stripper plate
- The ejector housing
Correct answer: The cavity (A-side)
The cavity (A-side) forms the external or cosmetic surfaces of the part, while the core (B-side) forms internal features and is usually where ejector pins are located.
Question 5: What does the Scale feature in SOLIDWORKS Mold Tools compensate for during mold design?
- Tolerance stack-up in multi-part assemblies
- Shrinkage of the molded material as it cools after injection (Correct answer)
- The draft angle added to part walls
- Weight difference between the two mold halves
Correct answer: Shrinkage of the molded material as it cools after injection
The Scale feature enlarges the mold geometry by the material's shrinkage factor so the final cooled part meets the intended design dimensions.
Question 6: What does the Tooling Split feature in SOLIDWORKS generate?
- Runner and gate geometry for plastic flow simulation
- Core and cavity solid bodies from the workpiece block using the parting surfaces (Correct answer)
- Separate part configurations for different material types
- A split cosmetic line on the exterior of the finished part
Correct answer: Core and cavity solid bodies from the workpiece block using the parting surfaces
Tooling Split uses the defined parting surface to cut the mold workpiece block into separate core and cavity solid bodies within a single part file.
Question 7: In SOLIDWORKS Mold Tools, what are shut-off surfaces used for?
- To close through-holes and openings in a part that pass between both mold halves (Correct answer)
- To prevent plastic from flowing into specific mold regions
- To define the ejector pin contact locations
- To seal the mold parting line against flash
Correct answer: To close through-holes and openings in a part that pass between both mold halves
Shut-off surfaces fill holes and windows in the part geometry where the parting surface cannot be automatically generated, bridging gaps between core and cavity.
CSWP Mold Design 1
What is the primary purpose of the Parting Line feature in SOLIDWORKS Mold Tools?