Page 22 - MetalForming Magazine May 2023

The tryout module within Altair’s Inspire Form includes a highly scalable incremental solver, helping users to iterate and simulate multistage forming, trimming and springback.
With V16, Cimatron has improved the die-design extend-faces feature to better manage internal corner conditions that would create overlapping face extensions.
and improve their stamping system’s end-to-end workflow. Users of Design Explorer can make better decisions and optimize the performance, relia- bility and robustness of their systems, say company officials.
Cimatron Adds Functionality for Die-Addendum Surfacing
Cimatron recently released V16 of its die and mold CAD-CAM design soft- ware, touting new features for tool- makers including improved function- ality for die-addendum surfaces, mesh manipulation and drafting detailing. User efficiency continues to be a focus, company officials say, with the process workflow having been improved in several areas including batch printing with support for shaded views, dynam- ic triad dragging, expanded bill-of- materials support for assembly struc- tures, and extended preferences control with the ability to search and reset.
Major CAM developments support NC automation. Three-axis rough and volume pocketing supports the auto- matic selection of multiple cutters of different lengths for the optimum cut- ting sequence by splitting the toolpath into multiple operations based on cut- ting length. This efficiency feature for rough parallel, rough spiral and volume pocket reportedly results in better tool selection, reduced tool vibration, extended tool life and faster cutting speeds.
VoluMill pocketing now can be applied to multiple open and closed pockets of differing heights and depths as a one-step routine and single NC operation. Other 2.5-axis operations include a new capability in the slotting procedure that uses predrilled holes for safe material entry and to quicken machining with optimum toolpath movement at each level. Further effi- ciency gains can be achieved with mul- tiaxis drilling routines that consider the real stock model instead of the geometry bounding box. This creates a starting point closer to the stock for a safer, faster machining cycle, the
sibility module, enabling users to ana- lyze parts in seconds to predict forma- bility early in the product-development cycle. Automated blank nesting pro- poses an efficient layout of the flattened blank on the sheet to maximize mate- rial utilization. And, blank nesting now includes the ability to constrain blank orientation to user-specified rotation and angle, and allows for fixed coil widths as well as multiple layups for laser-cut blank nesting.
The tryout module includes a high- ly scalable incremental solver, helping users to iterate and simulate multi- stage forming, trimming and spring- back. In addition, geometry manipu-
lation has been enhanced, company officials say, adding the ability to extend surfaces and open linear bends as well as flange surfaces on user- defined reference surfaces.
The latest release also provides sup- port for new processes: sheet hydro- forming, flex forming and hydro- mechanical deep drawing. In addition, visualization of results has been enhanced to now include percent-thin- ning for multilayer solids, as well as a new edge-displacement results.
Lastly, Altair recently introduced HyperWorks Design Explorer, a new artificial-intelligence-powered tool that enables users to explore, understand
20 MetalForming/May 2023
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