[pdh]

Hi, I have made a model of a MK 1 Tiger Tank track link at 1/8th scale that I've built in solidworks. I'm trying to to create a mold for this in solidworks so I can machine it in steel and then use that to cast 200 links. I've never done any mold design before and this shape is particularly complicated. Is anyone on here a wizard with solidworks who could give me a hand. The demos look simple but this is going to need to be in more than two parts.

cheers Paul.

[Mike 1948]

Can you post the model?

[pdh]

I've put a copy here www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/track.SLDPRT.zip

cheer Paul.

[Mike 1948]

Yes the mold will have to have side core pulls to get the holes. You are also missing draft and split lines in quite a few spots. It would take 5-8 hours to get a rough mold of the part and I don't have a lot of free time to give right now. There are some Solidworks tutorials on the web that could help you.

Good Luck
Mike

[pdh]

I'm not really worried about the holes as they can be drilled. But I think it's going to need multiple parts to get the shape. I've looked online but I've not managed to find anything that shows how to put the correct parting line in. It's not clear to me where the best place to split the model is because I have no experience in moulding and have only been using solid works for two weeks to built the track. Anyway thanks for looking.

[Mike 1948]

I think you can mold it in one piece. Just remember you can't mold with undercuts.
What material are you molding?

[pdh]

I want to machine it in steel and then cast it in aluminium. It needs to be in at less two pieces possibly three or four.

[Mike 1948]

With aluminum, you will need ejector pins, and draft on all vertical walls. Don't forget to add shrinkage to your mold steel if your tolerances are close