AutoForm News
September 28, 2006:
Missler Software and AutoForm Engineering
TopSolid'Progress is a CAD solution for the design of progressive
tools for sheet metal forming. Since 2004 Missler Software has
worked closely with AutoForm Engineering, specialist in the die
face design and sheet metal forming process simulation software
notably for the automobile industry, to create unfolding techniques
which are directly accessible in TopSolid. The first stage of
this collaboration was completed with the creation of the module
BlankWizard in January 2005. The second stage happened with the
launch of TopSolid'Progress 2006 and the creation of the new
module FormingWizard.
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BlankWizard
allows the unfolding of
complex parts |
In addition to incorporating all those functions standard to
TopSolid, TopSolid'Progress enables the successful blank determination
of a sheet metal part and the design of the strip layout in half
the time needed by a standard CAD software. The software manages
all cutting, folding and deforming stages of the sheet metal,
creation of the die set, addition of standard components together
with their machining processes, creation of punches, non-standard
matrices and draft creation.
BlankWizard, a module available with TopSolid'Progress since
the beginning of 2005, integrates AutoForm Engineering's forming
simulation technology to enable the die designer to rapidly define
the required blank and design the strip in a completely associative
process. BlankWizard is also available for purchase directly
with the module TopSolid'Design. Companies working with TopSolid'Design
will use BlankWizard to obtain the cutting contours of parts
which cannot be folded/unstamped using « classical » methods.
This module is also very useful for calculating the surface of
the part and thereby calculating the amount of material needed
at the estimate stage, in particular for parts created by stamping
or progress tool processes.
Companies already using TopSolid'Progress can use BlankWizard
in many different ways. Its functionalities are directly integrated
in the blank creation which is carried out when the part is imported.
Many possibilities are open to the operator who can carry out
a global unstamping operation or use a method that combines unfolding
and unstamping (for some isolated areas of the part).
The collaboration between Missler Software and AutoForm Engineering
continues to evolve and earlier this year Missler Software launched
FormingWizard, a more advanced follow-on from BlankWizard. This
new add-on has been created for companies that need more precise
information on the process of unfolding that will be carried
out on the part:
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Firstly FormingWizard gives
access to a database of standard materials to calculate
more precisely the dimensions of the unfolded part. The
operator can add his own materials to the database by indicating
the mechanical characteristics of the material. |
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Secondly, FormingWizard offers
analytical tools which can detect, both globally and locally,
the variation of the thickness levels and deformation undergone
by the part. The operator, thereby, obtains precious information
to analyse the feasibility of the part deformation. |
Press
Release [pdf - 334 KB], Image
Contact:
Dr. Markus Thomma
Director of Marketing
AutoForm Engineering GmbH
Technoparkstrasse 1
CH-8005 Zurich
Switzerland
Tel |
+41 43 444 6161 |
Fax |
+41 43 444 6162 |
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