How Do You Make a Core Cavity in SolidWorks?

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In this tutorial, we will learn how to create a core cavity in SolidWorks. A core cavity is an essential feature used in the mold design process to create cavities and cores for injection molding.

Step 1: Opening the Part

To begin, open SolidWorks and create a new part document. Alternatively, you can also open an existing part file.

Step 2: Designing the Part

Design the desired part geometry using SolidWorks’ powerful modeling tools. Ensure that the part design is suitable for injection molding.

Tips:

  • Keep it Simple: Complex part designs can lead to costly and time-consuming molds. Try to simplify the geometry wherever possible.
  • Avoid Undercuts: Undercuts are features that prevent the part from being ejected smoothly from the mold.

    They should be avoided or modified to ensure easy ejection.

  • Add Draft Angles: Draft angles allow for easy removal of the molded part from the mold. Apply appropriate draft angles to all vertical faces of your design.

Step 3: Creating a Cavity

To create a cavity, we need to first split our design into two parts – a core and a cavity. Let’s start with creating a cavity.

Create a Cavity Feature:

  1. Select the desired face or plane where you want your cavity to be created.
  2. Navigate to the “Insert” tab in SolidWorks’ command manager and click on “Cavity. “
  3. In the “Cavity PropertyManager,” select “Extract Mold” as your extraction type.
  4. Click “Next” and choose the parting surface that separates the cavity from the core.

    This can be an existing face or a custom surface you create specifically for this purpose.

  5. Click “Next” again and select the faces that define the cavity region. SolidWorks will automatically detect these faces, but you can make manual adjustments if necessary.
  6. Click “Next” once more to review your selections, and then click “Finish” to create the cavity feature.

Step 4: Creating a Core

Now that we have created the cavity, let’s proceed with creating the core for our mold design.

Create a Core Feature:

  1. Select the desired face or plane where you want your core to be created.
  2. Navigate to the “Insert” tab in SolidWorks’ command manager and click on “Core. “
  3. In the “Core PropertyManager,” select “Extract Mold” as your extraction type.
  4. Click “Next” and choose the parting surface that separates the core from the cavity.

    This should be the same surface used in Step 3 to create the cavity feature.

  5. Click “Next” again and select the faces that define the core region. These are essentially the remaining faces of your part design that were not included in Step 3 when creating the cavity feature. Adjust if necessary.
  6. Click “Next” once more to review your selections, and then click “Finish” to create the core feature.

Congratulations! You have successfully created a core and a cavity for your mold design using SolidWorks. Remember to save your work regularly to avoid any data loss.

In conclusion, understanding how to create a core cavity in SolidWorks is crucial for designing molds suitable for injection molding. By following these steps and considering the tips provided, you can create efficient and effective mold designs that meet your manufacturing requirements.