AutoForm-DieDesigner^®

Software for 3D-Die-Layout and Process Optimization

The AutoForm-DieDesigner software module is specialized for feasibility engineers, process planners and tool makers, to rapidly generate die face designs for the complete sheet metal forming process. Extensive sheet metal forming know-how is integrated in this software solution, which provides many automatic functions and easy-to-use features for 3D-Die-Layout.

Based on AutoForm-DieDesigner’s clear and logical structure, feasibility engineers are guided step-by-step from the import of CAD part geometry until the full die face design, a process which the software greatly speeds up. As a result, process planners can generate several different tooling concepts in a single day, rather than manually designing only a few individual faces with a CAD system. AutoForm-DieDesigner’s powerful features, ease-of-use and productivity have made it the software of choice for die engineering and tooling departments worldwide.

The main benefits of AutoForm-DieDesigner are:

• Determination of an optimal 3D-Die-Layout and the resulting tooling concept. Unique, advanced features generate process optimized solutions in best time.
• Optimal support for simultaneous engineering. AutoForm-DieDesigner creates simultaneously solutions for product development, tool making, serial production and body in white.
• Considerable reduction of development time during product development, tool making, serial production and body in white phase
• Noticeable improvement of quality for CAD part data, die layout, tooling concept as well as for serial parts
• Increase of stamping process robustness

The resulting die faces from AutoForm-DieDesigner are automatically used to run tryout simulations. This allows tool makers to understand and to validate the die layout, including deep drawing, all subsequent forming and trimming steps, and even springback.

AutoForm-DieDesigner is based on a fully associatively linked model of the entire die layout – which makes it easy and efficient for the designer to modify intermediate operations and even the final part geometry. When such modifications are made, the tooling geometries of all operations and the tryout simulation are automatically and instantly updated. After process optimization, the resulting die faces can be used directly to mill prototype tools.

AutoForm-DieDesigner’s main features for the design of 3D-Die-Layouts include:

• Easy tool design for symmetric parts
• Filleting of sharp edges with variable radii
• Part radii modifications
• Filling of holes
• End fill
• Automatic and manual tipping
• Flexible binder design
• Rapid generation of addendum
• Powerful part modifications by morphing technology
• Automatic development of flanges onto addendum
• Analysis of trim and shear angles
• Efficient design of wiper and form tools
• Immediate tryout simulations with automatic updating of tools
• Export of complete surface data
• Export of substitution and offset skins

This product may practice one or more of the following patents owned by or available to AutoForm Engineering GmbH, Switzerland: European patents 1290515, 1623287, 1665103, 1741012, US patents 7542889, 7623939, 7870792, 7885722, 7894929 and JP patents 4633625, 4852420. Other European, other US and other JP patents pending.