Undercut Analysis PropertyManager

Set analysis parameters and color settings to identify and visualize trapped areas on molded parts that would prevent the part from ejecting from the mold.

To perform an analysis:

Click Undercut Analysis (View toolbar) or View > Display > Undercut Analysis.

After you close the PropertyManager, the analysis results remain visible in the graphics area, and they update in real time when you change the geometry of the part.

To edit the analysis parameters and settings:

Click View > Modify > Undercut Analysis.

To turn off the analysis:

Click Undercut Analysis (View toolbar) or View > Display > Undercut Analysis.

Analysis Parameters

Solid Body (For multibody parts only). Select the body to analyze.
  Direction of Pull (Not required if you select a Parting Line below.) Select a planar face, a linear edge, or an axis to define the draw direction, or select Coordinate input and set conditions along the X, Y, and Z axes. Click Reverse Direction or click the handle in the graphics area to reverse the direction of pull, which reverses how faces are reported (as Direction1 or Direction2) in the results.
Parting Line Evaluates faces above the parting line to determine if they are visible from above the parting line. Evaluates faces below the parting line to determine if they are visible from below the parting line. This identifies depressions in the wall of the part that require a side core, and also helps you to identify sections of the parting line that you can modify to avoid the need for side cores.
  Adjustment triad Manipulates the direction of pull to help you visualize ways to avoid or minimize problems with undercut regions. When you drag the rings of the triad in the graphics area, the direction of pull changes, face colors update dynamically, and the following read-only values appear in the PropertyManager:
  • Angle with X axis
  • Angle with Y axis
  • Angle with Z axis
  Highlight occluded regions For faces that are only partially occluded, the analysis identifies those regions of the face that are occluded and those that are not. With this option cleared, the analysis identifies the entire face as being occluded.

Undercut Faces

Faces with different classifications are displayed in different colors in the graphics area. The results update in real time when you change the direction of pull.

  Direction1 undercut Faces that are not visible from above the parting line.
  Direction2 undercut Faces that are not visible from below the parting line.
  Occluded undercut Faces that are not visible from above or below the parting line.
  Straddle undercut Faces that have undercuts in both directions.
  No undercut  
Hide/Show Click to hide or show all faces in a category.
  Edit Color Click to change the color associated with a category.