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FaceWorks provides powerful design tools that automate and simplify the most difficult and complex tasks in the mold design process in SolidWorks. It was specifically developed and tested with continuous input from mold designers and manufacturers.



Users benefit from standard SolidWorks functions complemented with specialized, easy-to-use tools that simplify the tool-making process dramatically and minimize costs and manufacturing times.



FaceWorks contains all the necessary tools to produce high quality molds within the SolidWorks environment. The advanced modeling tools include: creation of cavities, cores, sliders, lifters and sub-inserts using 3D-solid modeling techniques and associative operations.



FaceWorks performs the parting process on either a solid model or a sewn set of surfaces (skin) that do not form a solid.
 
 
Typical FormatWorks Workflow
 
The following table gives an overview of specialized FaceWorks functions for advance mould design in SolidWorks. FaceWorks essentially extends basic SolidWorks mold capability to associative hybrid modeling mold design operating on solid as non-solid model representations. The model can be created in SolidWorks or imported from another CAD systems (the best import results are achieved using FormatWorks add-in).

 SolidWorks 2009

     FaceWorks 2009

Draft angle analysis 
  • Single Split in user defined pull direction
  • Single-split in user defined pull direction
  • Multi-spilt with insert definition
  • Automatic face classification into separate folders: core (Blue), cavity (Green), inserts (Gary), undercuts (Red)
  • Split animation (with color code)
  • Manual face assignment / classification in split animation mode into folders: from project tree or from the geometry
  • On line monitoring of draft angle analysis changes according to the pull direction

Parting Line 
  • Automatic if mold-ability is 100% (limited to solids)
  • User defined parting line is limited to solid models

 
  • Automatic parting line generation on solids and no-solids (without 100% mold-ability)
  • Automatic parting line adaption in case model is changed
  • Manual parting line editing using edges from the geometry
  • Automatic generation of multiple parting lines for inserts (moving sliders)
  • Comparing physical openings with loops generated by incorrect normal face direction
  • User define parting line on solid or surface model
  • Possibility to work on hybrid (mixed solid-surface) model

Shut-offs 
  • Limited to one telescopic algorithm (surface fill based with options: tangent or contour). Operates only on 100% valid solid.
  • Automatic closing of complex openings using: curvature criteria, 2.5D or planar surface
  • Operates on hybrid (mixed solid-surface) model
  • Hiding parting line by extending shut-off surface  to parting line from the model

 

Parting surface
  • Limited to ruled surface and radiate surface (resulting in complex 3D surfaces implying expensive and complex manufacturing 3 or more axis NC machines)

 
  • Specialized automatic algorithm for mold design supporting the following surface types:
    • 2.5D surface with controlled extrusion direction
    • 3D Radiate (on a large distance from the model)
    • 3D Sweep
    • 3D Extrusion with controlled extrusion direction
    • 3D Extrusion parallel to the pull direction (for hiding the parting line)
  • Editing existing parting surface using guide curve loft approximation

Core/Cavity and Associativity 
  • Associativity is limited to model modifications inside the parting line introduced after the core/cavity are created
  • Associativity is not limited. Model can be changed inside or outside of the parting line at any stage of the core/cavity construction
  • Associative mold design – temporary introduction of associative model modifications simplifying generation of parting line and parting surface using solid modeling techniques
 
 
 
Part Properties
 

  Global dimensions
  Volume, mass, surface area
  Definable material density
  Minimum curvature radius analysis
 
 
 

Draft Angle Analysis
 

  User-defined pull direction
  User-defined draft angle
  Detection of undercuts and vertical areas
  Automatic undercut elimination

 
 


Parting Line
 

  Automatic parting line in generation
  Grouping of inside and outside parting lines
  Parting line ending
  Manual parting line generation
  Closing of multiple openings
  2D planar surface
  3D complex surface
 
 


Dynamic Animation
 

  One direction mold opening
  Multidirectional mold opening
  Unassigned faces
  Slide bar control
 
 


Parting Surface

One-step automatic surface generation on closed 3D contour:
 

  2.5D extrusion with direction control
  2.5 extrusion int w/o directions
  3D rediate
 

Manual stepwise surface generation
 

  2.5D extrusion with direction control
  2.5 extrusion int wo directions
  3D rediate
  Sweep
 

Control of sharp angle shut-offs
Compare different parting surface
 
 
Shuts Off

  Telescoping openings
  Complex openings


Core/Cavity

  Automatic skin generation
  Skin validity check
  Selection of forming plate dimension and form
      Rectangular
      Cylindrical
  Automatic creation of associative relation between model core and cavity
  Updating the core and solid cavity model changes
  Exploded view of mold assembly
 
 
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