What is Molded Part Validation in NX?
NX Molded Part Validation is a feature within NX CAD that assists designers in assessing 3D part models for characteristics that could impact the injection molding process. Designed for use early in the product development cycle, this tool is seamlessly integrated with NX’s design functionalities.
NX Molded Part Validation tools can automatically inform designers about draft angles, undercut areas, and sharp corners. Additionally, the tool offers a visual inspection of both the core and cavity sides of the part.
Why use NX Molded Part Validation?
- Early Detection of Design Issues: Identify potential design flaws early in the development process, such as inadequate draft angles or problematic wall thickness, which can be costly to fix if discovered later.
- Improved Manufacturability: Ensure that parts meet design and manufacturing requirements, validation helps optimize the mold design, making the parts easier and more cost-effective to produce.
- Enhanced Product Quality: Validate designs for molding ensures that the final parts will be structurally sound and free from common defects like warping or weak spots, leading to higher-quality products.
- Reduced Time and Costs: Early validation can reduce the need for expensive iterations and modifications during or after the manufacturing process, saving both time and money.
- Optimized Mold Design: It assists in designing molds that are efficient and effective, ensuring proper material flow and cooling, which is crucial for the quality of the molded parts.
- Minimized Production Risks: By addressing potential issues before production, validation helps mitigate risks such as production delays, increased scrap rates, and rework, leading to a smoother manufacturing process.
Check Wall Thickness
Check Wall Thickness is a specific tool within Molded Part Validation. This tool is used to analyze the thickness of walls in a 3D model. It’s particularly useful in design and manufacturing to ensure that parts meet certain design criteria, such as structural integrity or manufacturability. This ensures that your parts are designed to be robust and suitable for manufacturing processes, reducing the risk of structural issues or production problems.
The rolling ball method
The rolling ball method is a technique used in Molded Part Validation: Check Wall Thickness to evaluate draft angles and undercuts on a part.
If you inflate a balloon within the walls of a solid object it will no longer make a perfect sphere. At this point you’ll have the diameter as the thickness in that location.
To give you a little more understanding of that, we have created this tutorial that will walk you through how to use this feature in your own work.
By Jeremy Shooks
Design & Manufacturing Applications Engineer