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      <title>Mold Base Assembly Model</title>
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      <div class="title_topic3" id="xps10_pagetitle">Mold Base Assembly Model</div>
      <hr noshade="true">
      <div class="title_division">Overview</div>
      <p class="para_division">Mold Wizard includes a wide (and growing) variety of mold bases. If you have special requirements not covered by standard mold bases, you can design your own custom mold bases and include them in the Mold Wizard Mold Base Management System. Mold Wizard is designed as an open structure so that mold bases can be incorporated and controlled by the Mold Base Management System with no programming required.</p>
      <p class="para_division">Modeling methods to create mold bases vary depending on the complexity, configurations, and variety required to model the mold base set. A variety of similar mold base structures can be made from a single assembly model using parameters to control the configurations and dimensions. There are no strict constraints on how to create a mold base assembly model. Following the principles outlined below will make the process straightforward.</p>
      <div class="title_division">Preparation</div>
      <p class="para_division">To create a mold base to be included in Mold Wizard and controlled by the Mold Base Management System, it is essential that you have a clear plan and understanding of the processes involved.</p>
      <ul>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Have a well-defined goal of what you want to accomplish. For example, you want to create a 2-plate mold assembly that makes a variety of length and width combinations with plate thickness options.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Define the key parameters used to control the mold base assembly. (Remember, these parameters are displayed as options in the Mold Base Management dialog box, so choose them carefully.)</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Confirm that your parameter scheme is compatible with the Mold Base Management System spreadsheet formatting method. You may choose to create the Mold Base Database Spreadsheet before beginning the mold base assembly model to sort out your parameter control and option methods.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Define a parameter-naming convention for all parameters, even those that aren't seen in the Mold Base Management dialog box.  This aids in making changes in the future.</p>
         </li>
      </ul>
      <div class="title_division">Assembly Structure</div>
      <p class="para_division">The components of a mold base assembly structure should be organized to separate the fixed and moving half of the assembly into separate branches. In the example below, all parts in the moveable half of the mold are assembled below the MOVEHALF node, while the other parts are assembled below the FIXHALF node. This assembly structure aids in control of component visibility by making it possible to hide the entire fixed or moving half with a single action.</p>
      <table align="center">
         <tr valign="top">
            <th bgcolor="#c0c0c0" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="33%">
               <p class="para_th">Part Name</p>
            </th>
            <th bgcolor="#c0c0c0" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="24%">
               <p class="para_th">Component Name</p>
            </th>
            <th bgcolor="#c0c0c0" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="16%">
               <p class="para_th">Reference Set</p>
            </th>
            <th bgcolor="#c0c0c0" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="13%">
               <p class="para_th">Read-only</p>
            </th>
            <th bgcolor="#c0c0c0" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="11%">
               <p class="para_th">Modified</p>
            </th>
         </tr>
         <tr valign="top">
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="33%">
               <p class="para_td">fs</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="24%"></td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="16%"></td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="13%">
               <p class="para_td">Rw</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="11%">
               <p class="para_td">Y</p>
            </td>
         </tr>
         <tr valign="top">
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="33%">
               <p class="para_td">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;movehalf</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="24%">
               <p class="para_td">MOVEHALF</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="16%">
               <p class="para_td">Entire Part</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="13%">
               <p class="para_td">Rw</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="11%">
               <p class="para_td">Y</p>
            </td>
         </tr>
         <tr valign="top">
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="33%">
               <p class="para_td">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;bcp_screw x 4 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="24%">
               <p class="para_td">BCP_SCREW</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="16%">
               <p class="para_td">TRUE</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="13%">
               <p class="para_td">Rw</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="11%">
               <p class="para_td">Y</p>
            </td>
         </tr>
         <tr valign="top">
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="33%">
               <p class="para_td">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;ej_screw x 4</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="24%">
               <p class="para_td">EJ_SCREW</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="16%">
               <p class="para_td">TRUE</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="13%">
               <p class="para_td">Rw</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="11%">
               <p class="para_td">Y</p>
            </td>
         </tr>
         <tr valign="top">
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="33%">
               <p class="para_td">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;fm_gba1 x 4</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="24%">
               <p class="para_td">FM_GBA1</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="16%">
               <p class="para_td">Entire Part</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="13%">
               <p class="para_td">Rw</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="11%">
               <p class="para_td">Y</p>
            </td>
         </tr>
         <tr valign="top">
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="33%">
               <p class="para_td">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;fm_gpa x 4</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="24%">
               <p class="para_td">FM_GPA</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="16%">
               <p class="para_td">Entire Part</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="13%">
               <p class="para_td">Rw</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="11%">
               <p class="para_td">Y</p>
            </td>
         </tr>
         <tr valign="top">
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="33%">
               <p class="para_td">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;fixhalf</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="24%">
               <p class="para_td">FIXHALF</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="16%">
               <p class="para_td">Entire Part</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="13%">
               <p class="para_td">Rw</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="11%">
               <p class="para_td">Y</p>
            </td>
         </tr>
         <tr valign="top">
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="33%">
               <p class="para_td">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;tcp_screw x 8</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="24%">
               <p class="para_td">TCP_SCREW</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="16%">
               <p class="para_td">TRUE</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="13%">
               <p class="para_td">Rw</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="11%">
               <p class="para_td">Y</p>
            </td>
         </tr>
         <tr valign="top">
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="33%">
               <p class="para_td">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;fm_gpa1 x 4</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="24%">
               <p class="para_td">FM_GPA1</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="16%">
               <p class="para_td">Entire Part</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="13%">
               <p class="para_td">Rw</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="11%">
               <p class="para_td">Y</p>
            </td>
         </tr>
         <tr valign="top">
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="33%">
               <p class="para_td">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;fm_gba x 4</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="24%">
               <p class="para_td">FM_GBA</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="16%">
               <p class="para_td">Entire Part</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="13%">
               <p class="para_td">Rw</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="11%">
               <p class="para_td">Y</p>
            </td>
         </tr>
         <tr valign="top">
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="33%">
               <p class="para_td">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a_plate</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="24%">
               <p class="para_td">A_PLATE</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="16%">
               <p class="para_td">Entire Part</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="13%">
               <p class="para_td">Rw</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="11%">
               <p class="para_td">Y</p>
            </td>
         </tr>
         <tr valign="top">
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="33%">
               <p class="para_td">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;t_plate</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="24%">
               <p class="para_td">T_PLATE</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="16%">
               <p class="para_td">Entire Part</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="13%">
               <p class="para_td">Rw</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="11%">
               <p class="para_td">Y</p>
            </td>
         </tr>
      </table><br><div class="title_division">Expressions</div>
      <p class="para_division">The simplest method to control the parameters of components making up a mold base is to create a complete set of parameters in the top level mold base assembly file and relate the components using interpart expressions. A subset of the many parameters required to model a mold base is used to control the configuration and sizes.</p>
      <p class="para_division">When choosing parameter names, remember that they are listed in the Mold Base Database Spreadsheet and are visible, editable dimensions in the Mold Base Management dialog box. </p>
      <div class="title_division">Size Control</div>
      <p class="para_division">You can use NX Modeling feature functions to create part models with expressions. This allows you to control the size of the parts by modifying expressions.</p>
      <table border="0">
         <tr>
            <td valign="top" align="left"><img align="left" src="../graphics/note.gif" alt="Note" title="Note"></td>
            <td valign="bottom" align="left" width="100%">
               <div class="para_note">
                  <p class="para_note_body">NOTE: You can find a total overview of all expressions used in Mold Wizard for Mold Base and components in mwzd_params.xls. These parameters are used on mold bases released before V18.0.3.2. The new interchangeable mold base for V18.0.3.2 and later use non-abbreviated expressions to make comprehension much easier.</p>
               </div>
            </td>
         </tr>
      </table>
      <div class="title_division">Shape Control</div>
      <p class="para_division">In addition to using expressions to control size, you can also control the shape in two ways:</p>
      <ul>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Feature Suppression by Parameter - Use the modeling function Suppress by Expression to control features by parameters. For example, pockets and holes can be included or suppressed by parametric control.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Instance Features - You can control the number and position of features by parameters using Instance Features. The number of screws varies according to the mold base size. When the number of screw holes is changed, the number of screws is changed automatically.</p>
         </li>
      </ul>
      <div class="title_division">Modeling Mold Plates</div>
      <p class="para_division">The most convenient method to model mold plates as part of an assembly of related mold plates is as follows:</p>
      <ol type="1" start="1">
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Create a top node for the mold base. Use a short name such as base.prt.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Create expressions in the top node to control the dimensions of the Mold Base plates.</p>
            <ul>
               <li>
                  <p class="para_item">mold_l to control mold length</p>
               </li>
               <li>
                  <p class="para_item">mold_w to control mold width</p>
               </li>
               <li>
                  <p class="para_item">AP_off to control A-Plate stand-off</p>
               </li>
               <li>
                  <p class="para_item">AP_h to control A-Plate height (thickness)</p>
               </li>
               <li>
                  <p class="para_item">fx_10=AP_off a convenient expression to reference this fixed plate level</p>
               </li>
               <li>
                  <p class="para_item">fx_20=fx_10+AP_h a convenient expression to reference this fixed plate level</p>
               </li>
            </ul>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Create two components below the top node, fixed.prt and moving.prt.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Create an A-Plate component below fixed.prt. Use a short name such as a_plt.prt.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">In the A-plate component, create a set of fixed datum and a rectangular sketch on the X-Y plane.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Use interpart expressions to link the mold_l and mold_w from the top-level node to the plate node.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Create an extruded body from the sketch profile using parameters such as:</p>
            <ul>
               <li>
                  <p class="para_item">plate_start=base::fx_10</p>
               </li>
               <li>
                  <p class="para_item">plate_end=base::fx_20</p>
               </li>
            </ul>
            <p class="para_item">This method allows control of the key parameters. Continue this process to complete additional plates, as required.</p>
         </li>
      </ol>
      <div class="title_division">Mold Base Parameters for Plate Thickness and Levels</div>
      <p class="para_division">Some standard parts use parametric dimensions to control their sizes and positions relative to the mold base. The Standard Parts Management System can be setup to automatically create interpart expressions from the standard parts to the mold base assembly or vice-versa. </p>
      <div class="title_division">Parameter Names</div>
      <p class="para_division">Parameter names used in mold base assemblies are shown in the following figure.</p>
      <p align="center"><img align="bottom" src="graphics/illustrations/moldbase_levels_1.jpg"></p>
      <ol type="1" start="1">
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">TCP_top</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">TCP_h</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">AP_top</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">AP_h</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">AP_off</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">BP_off</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">BP_h</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">BP_bot</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">SP_h</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">CP_off</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">EJA_h</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">CP_h</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">EJB_off</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">EJB_h</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">BCP_off</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">BCP_h</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">STP_h</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">BCP_bot</p>
         </li>
      </ol>
      <div class="figure">
         <p class="para_figure"></p>
      </div>
      <div class="title_figure">Base Plate Levels Overview</div>
      <p class="para_division">The parameters shown on the right side of the figure: TCP_top, AP_h, AP_off, BP_h, SP_h CP_h, and BCP_h are used to control plate thicknesses on most basic mold bases.</p>
      <p class="para_division">BP_off, CP_off and EJB_off are parameters with expressions that calculate the dimensions of levels that are often needed for positioning of standard parts.</p>
      <div class="title_division">Adding Holes to Mold Plates</div>
      <p class="para_division">The most effective method to add holes to mold plates as part of an assembly of related mold plates and holes is described in the following example of a four hole guide-pin pattern:</p>
      <ol type="1" start="1">
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Create the following expressions in the mold base top assembly node:</p>
            <p class="para_item">gd_pin_hole_d=1.25 for guide pin hole diameter</p>
            <p class="para_item">gd_pin_x=10 for guide pin hole X position</p>
            <p class="para_item">gd_pin_y=5 for guide pin hole Y position</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Create a hole in the +X +Y quadrant of the mold base plate. Dimension to the datum planes for positioning.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Use interpart expressions to link the hole dimensions and positioning dimensions to the top node.</p>
         </li>
      </ol>
      <p class="para_division">The preferred method to place additional holes depends on the required patterns. If the pattern is always a simple arrangement of four holes, an instance array is probably the most convenient.</p>
      <p class="para_division">If the hole patterns vary in number and/or have non-uniform patterns, it's more convenient to make individual hole features controlled by individual parameters. For this method use a parameter scheme as follows:</p>
      <p class="para_division">gd_1_on=1 to control suppression by expression</p>
      <p class="para_division">gd_1_x_=10 to control X position</p>
      <p class="para_division">gd_1_y=5 to control Y position</p>
      <p class="para_division">Follow this method for each hole. As in the above example, dimension the hole to the +X and +Y quadrant so that its position may be easily moved to any quadrant without confusing negative parameters.</p>
      <div class="title_division">Adding Components</div>
      <p class="para_division">The most effective method to place components in a mold base assembly is described in the following example for guide pins:</p>
      <ol type="1" start="1">
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Make a component below the fixed or moving node (depending on your preference) named pin_set.prt.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Make a component below the pin_set.prt component named pin.prt.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Create expressions in the top node to control the dimensions of the pin and its positioning.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Create fixed datum in the pin_set.prt and position the pin.prt using mating conditions.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Link the pin parameters and positioning parameters to the mold base top node.</p>
         </li>
      </ol>
      <p class="para_division">Following the methods outlined above results in a mold base assembly with parameters that are well organized and easy to manage.</p>
      <div class="title_division">Component Control</div>
      <p class="para_division">Assembly components can be suppressed by the Unigraphics NX Suppress Components by Expression function. Assembly reference sets can be used to control component visibility.</p>
      <div class="title_division">See Also</div>
      <ul>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item"> <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('moldwizard/moldbase_text_file.html');return(false);">Mold Base Register Text File</a></p>
         </li>
      </ul>
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