SolidWorks Plastics can use a shell mesh for mold flow analysis. There may be times when the calculated mesh does not adequately define a detailed area of a part. Options to address this issue include creating a finer, more dense mesh or selecting a series of faces for a smaller mesh density. Either option may unnecessarily increase calculation time when the area in question is an isolated part detail. In this case it is more efficient to add nodes to a shell mesh to focus the results on a potentially problematic area.
To edit nodes in an existing mesh in SolidWorks Plastics:
- Switch to the PlasticsManager tab
- Expand the ‘Mesh’ section and double click ‘Edit’
There are several options available for adjusting the mesh quality.
To insert a node:
- Double click ‘Insert Node’
- Select a triangle on the existing mesh.
SolidWorks plastics will create a new node and connecting elements.
To adjust an existing nodes location:
- Double click on ‘Adjust Node’
- The default option is to ‘Move on Mesh’. Left click and hold on the mouse button down an existing node. The node will move as the mouse moves across the mesh. Alternately select ‘Move on Plane’ for nodes on planar faces or ‘Assign Coordinate’ if a specific coordinate is desired.
Adding and adjusting nodes allows you to refine how SolidWorks Plastics simulates the mold flow and will assist in finding problematic areas for mold flow, sink marks or air traps.
