Mold Design and Tooling Flashcards

In SolidWorks Mold Tools, which feature is used to split a part into core and cavity bodies?

Answer: Tooling Split

The Tooling Split feature uses the core/cavity interlock surfaces and the parting surface to split the mold block into the core half and the cavity half as separate solid bodies.

Why is the Scale feature typically applied to a part body before creating mold tooling in SolidWorks?

Answer: To compensate for material shrinkage during the molding process

Molded materials shrink when they cool. The Scale feature enlarges the part geometry by the material's shrinkage factor so that after the molded part shrinks, it reaches the intended final dimensions.

What is the purpose of the Draft Analysis tool in SolidWorks Mold Design?

Answer: To identify faces that lack sufficient draft for the pull direction

Draft Analysis color-codes model faces relative to a pull direction, highlighting which faces have positive draft, negative draft, or are on the parting line. This helps the designer identify and fix faces that would prevent the part from ejecting from the mold.

In SolidWorks Mold Tools, what is the role of the Shut-off Surface feature?

Answer: It seals openings (holes, slots) in the part so the core and cavity surfaces form a closed volume

Shut-off surfaces are planar or ruled surfaces that fill through-holes and open pockets in the part geometry. Without them, the parting surface cannot form a complete watertight boundary between core and cavity.

Which SolidWorks Mold Tool is used to create the flat or ruled surface that separates the core half from the cavity half at the part's perimeter?

Answer: Parting Surface

The Parting Surface is created after defining the Parting Line and extends outward from the parting line edge to form the boundary surface that separates the core and cavity mold halves in the Tooling Split.

In the SolidWorks Mold Tools workflow, which step must be completed BEFORE creating shut-off surfaces?

Answer: Parting Line

The Parting Line must be defined first because shut-off surfaces reference the parting line to understand which edges bound the core vs. cavity regions. The workflow is: Scale → Draft → Parting Line → Shut-off Surfaces → Parting Surface → Tooling Split.