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How to model a clamshell or blister pack

Question asked by Darren Neupert on Aug 26, 2008
Latest reply on May 18, 2009 by Marco Vargas

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Does anyone here have a good technique for modeling a thermoformed plastic packaging insert? (i.e. a clamshell or blister pack) I have a model of a glass bottle provided to me by our customer. I used the deform tool with decent success. See photo. I'm just wondering if this is how it's usually done and if there is a better technique. For what it's worth, I am a structural packaging designer and this insert will be just one part of the overall package design.

Thank you.

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Matt McKendrick Aug 26, 2008 5:55 PM
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You can offset surfaces, split it with a parting line surface, trim, then thicken. This way, you can have a uniform offset from the part to account for tolerance, shrinkage, etc. I think the deform method is a great way to go, too.
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John Ferguson Aug 26, 2008 6:07 PM
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Hey Darren,

I've used the Cavity feature with great results. As with most things in SW, there are more than one way to skin this cat.
As far as a clamshell or Tri-fold I use a sheet metal part (I use sheet metal parts a lot, but hardly ever for sheet metal) so that I can fold and unfold.

BTW, I could send you an example if you like.

Muggs
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- Darren Neupert @ John Ferguson on Aug 26, 2008 7:03 PM
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  Awesome... a couple of excellent ideas. Thanks guys... I am going to noodle around with it for a bit and see what works best.
  
  Thank you!
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- Dan Buffo @ John Ferguson on Aug 26, 2008 7:23 PM
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  John Ferguson wrote:
  
  Hey Darren,
  
  I've used the Cavity feature with great results. As with most things in SW, there are more than one way to skin this cat.
  
  As far as a clamshell or Tri-fold I use a sheet metal part (I use sheet metal parts a lot, but hardly ever for sheet metal) so that I can fold and unfold.
  
  BTW, I could send you an example if you like.
  
  Muggs
  
  So you use sheet metal parts for thermoformed plastic design? I do thermoformed plastic design but I have never used sheetmetal parts before. What kind of parts do you make using sheetmetal?
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John Ferguson Aug 27, 2008 12:56 AM
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Clamshells and Tri-fold enclosures. I use sheet metal mainly for the reason mentioned; Ease of folding & unfolding.
If I get time tomorrow I'll post an example.

Muggs
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- Aaron Baumgartner @ John Ferguson on Aug 27, 2008 11:12 AM
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  I have done a few as samples. i usually just do it as a solid , then shell the final. If i have the "part" that the package is going around I will insert the part into the package file and use it for reference to offset from. Here is a sample i did for fun.
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- Paul McGarr @ John Ferguson on Aug 27, 2008 11:50 AM
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  I don't do much thermoform tooling anymore, but I used to do a lot. I'd be real grateful to see a sample of how you take advantage of sheetmetal lools in the design of a clamshell or trifold John.
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Charles Culp Aug 27, 2008 12:20 PM
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Don't forget the "indent" tool, which is designed exactly for this purpose. With two solid bodies, you "indent" one into the other. Basically, it does an offset, plus it knits it all together for you, and it works on solid bodies, not just surfaces. This is one of the few help files that is truly helpful, so I suggest reading up on it.
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Kevin Quigley Aug 30, 2008 6:44 PM
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I always use the offset surface in these situations then create the flat surface to trim to then knit and thicken the resultatn surfaces into a solid. If you do this in the part environment you can use the split body functionality to save out to an assembly.
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- Darren Neupert @ Kevin Quigley on Sep 2, 2008 1:37 PM
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  A lot of good ideas in here... I appreciate the input. I tried the indent feature with good success. I will experiment with offset surfaces next.
  
  Thanks again
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Marco Vargas May 18, 2009 6:34 PM
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This thread has really helped out. Thanks all.
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How to model a clamshell or blister pack

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