Creating a mold from a part

[kapper47]

Okay, so I have a very complicated part with a minimum thickness that I created using the style feature in ProE 2001. I'm planning to lay-up carbon fiber in a female mold of this part to make it. My problem right now is how to make the female mold? Are there any tricks to this?

I have a feeling that I can't see the forest from the trees on this one. Any help would be appreciated.

thanks,
bk

 

[im4cad]

You can copy the external surfaces of your part, into a new part that would be your mold, then create a cut using the quilt option (use your copied geometry for this), and finally you can split your new part in two parts and design your mold from there.

im4cad
Pro Design Services, Inc.

http://www.cadproe.com/pds/home.asp

 

[JBFJR]

OH the joy of composites.
There are several methods you can use.

Im4cad is correct. surface copy is one method.

Another method is to thicken your part in the opposite direction.
Copy the part. File save as name it Female.
Redefine the protrusion select the surface to thicken (example instead of 2mm try -2mm).
This is easiest if you are working with a surface that will allow you to use this method.
Rounds will give you the most hell using this method.
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a third method.....
Surface copy is very easy in wildfire now. (see guys I can say some good things about wildfire).
1. In the original part. Select one of the surfaces you wish to copy.
2. depress the shift button.
3. select the surfaces you DO NOT WANT COPIED. Pro/E will select all the surfaces in between.

Next Create a new part call it "female" for our example.
My next step is create an assembly.
I will assemble the current part to the assembly using c-systems.
Then assemble the "female" part using its c-system.
Last I would do a surface copy use quilt and select the quilt from the original part.
(I know I am using the old Pro/ lingo I guess I am old school).
In wildfire you just select the quilt and then select the surface copy icon.

Then you build you mold using the new surfaces.
If your part changes you can go into the assembly and regenerate.
Hopefully it has not changed too much to cause a failure.

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My last method and probably the best
1. Create a new part call it "female" for our example.
Make a block bigger than the external envelope of the original part.

2. Create an assembly.
a. Assemble the current part to the assembly using c-systems.
b. Assemble the Female part using c-systems

3. In Wildfire there is a few pics. Insert-Shared Data-Cutout.
this command will allow you to cut one part away from the other part.
This will be completely associative and allow it to regenerate regardless of features.
As long as you have the assembly in session.

I hope this helps. I hope you understand my thoughts.


JOSE FIGUEROA JR.

 

[Hora]

BK,

PTC developped a nice method for your problem: In assembly mode use CUT OUT advanced option. It's simly and easy to use EXCEPT:

- do not support assembly cuts;

- all parts must have the same accuracy, if not
you must use a relative accuracy.

I think Jose suggested this method too.

-Hora

 

[kapper47]

Hey thanks, a lot!

That should work pretty well.

bk