Geometric influence of a molded part on the draw direction range and parting line locations

This paper presents a methodology based on the geometry of the injection molded part to identify the draw direction range and parting line locations. These parameters are shown to be a function of the interaction of the outward normals of the surfaces that have been divided into concave and convex regions of the part. This approach can also be applied incrementally to determine these mold parameters for a part as design features are added. The designer can then select from the choices provided to find the optimum parting line location and draw direction using heuristic rules. An absence of an allowable draw direction indicates the presence of an undercut that complicates the mold by requiring a side action so that the mold cost increases. The designer can either redesign the part or accept the undercut by specifying a side core or cavity. Design examples are provided which illustrate the effectiveness of the developed approach.