Step 3: Create an Automatic Workpiece

In this section, we will show how to create an automatic workpiece for your mold assembly. Of course you may want to create this workpiece manually or by assembling an existing model, but those cases are not covered in this tutorial.

Pick to create an automatic workpiece.

You will then need to select the Mold Origin coordinate system. In this case (and in general) you will select the MOLD_DEF_CSYS.

Apply offsets to the workpiece size. In our example, based on the model size itself, we will apply a 30mm uniform offset in all directions. Press Preview, and you see the workpiece on the screen.

Note: this automatic workpiece creation does not work if you have not completed the Pro/ENGINEER installation properly.

For complete details on this dialog box, you may browse the online help, but in brief:

Reference Model(s): by default, our RefPart is selected as it is a unique part that we want to mold. You may select here as many models as necessary in case of molds of multiple models.
Mold Origin: it is necessary to select one CSYS to place the workpiece.
Shape: use any regular shapes as Cubes, Cylinders, or more elaborate shapes,
Offsets: you may apply an overall offset, or tune the offset of each direction in the + or - direction.
Overall Dimension: You notice here that the X, Y and Z values are not "regular" values. The usual workflow is to apply the offset first, and then adjust the dimensions to the closest standard dimension you could use on your shop floor.

For the tutorial, please make the following change:

Translate Workpiece: to reposition the workpiece by translation along X or Y direction.

Press OK. The Workpiece is created.

Next >