AutoForm-Trim is an add-on product to AutoForm-Incrementalplus. It is an essential tool for the determination of blank outlines and for the tryout of trimming dies used to determine the optimum trim line. In order to find the optimal trim line or blank outline, AutoForm-Trim iteratively runs multiple AutoForm-Incrementalplus tryout simulations. Unique with AutoForm-Trim: AutoForm-Trim enables the user to design trimming tools simultaneously with the draw die.

Photo: AutoForm-Trim

The figure illustrates: Drawn part with trim line; Trimmed part; Restricken part with the desired part boundary (yellow) and trim line before initial AutoForm-Trim iteration (gray); Restricken part with the desired part boundary and trim line after final AutoForm-Trim iteration.

The AutoForm-Trim software module provides the following benefits:

	Rapidly determines the optimum trim line and blank outline
	Saves time and costs by allowing the trim die to be developed simultaneously with the draw die, thus enabling concurrent engineering
	Shortens the design cycle for the complete tool set
	Reduces laser-trim tryout time for complex parts – typically saving several days

Optimum trim line is necessary for multi-operation stamping process. The trim line is optimized to ensure that the desired shape and dimensions of the part boundary are obtained at the end of those operations which follow the trimming operation. AutoForm-Trim automatically adjusts the trim line to remove or add sheet metal until the desired part boundary is achieved.

Optimum blank outline is necessary for near-net-shape manufacturing (crash forming). The blank outline is optimized to ensure that the desired shape and dimensions of the part boundary are obtained at the end of the crash forming process. AutoForm-Trim’s advantage over an inverse one-step simulation, which can also be used to find the blank outline, is the consideration of not only one, but several forming steps and results in much greater accuracy.

AutoForm-Trim’s main features include:

	Automatically determines the blank outline for near-net-shape manufacturing (crash forming)
	Automatically calculates multiple blank outlines (e.g. when there are several target boundaries in the form of hole contours or inner cut contours in the blank)
	Calculates customer-specified (local) segments of the blank or cut outline
	Simultaneously determines all cut-out lines for several cutting operations, during one trim tryout
	Full support of Load-sharing System LSF of Platform Computing

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 and US patents 7542889, 7623939. Other European, other US and JP patents pending.

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Last Update January 19, 2010