Products: Home
Direct Financing Available
AxiomVE™
Primary Standards™
OptiComp™
OptiLaser™
OptiNest™
OptiPunch™
OptiRout™
OptiShip™
|
OptiPunch™ is one of the only automated nesting and NC Programming software packages available for fabricators using punches only (nesting and blank-to-size single part), punches in combination with other processes (plasma, laser, shear or rout), or FMS cells with auto loading, unloading, and sorting mechanisms
Perhaps no other application demonstrates the depth of Optimation's® capabilities as fully as OptiPunch™. This powerful software is able to manage and manipulate a broad range of Tool Definition, Tool Station and Tool Changer parameters to create your most effective nesting pattern, quickly and efficiently. The flow chart below illustrates how the features of this software work together to deliver the range of benefits OptiPunch users enjoy.
In addition to the information below, you can click on any of the modules identified here for a more detailed explanation of how it works.
Working with Part Designs
CAD drawings along with pertinent pre-programmed inputs and manufacturing attributes are imported into Optimation® software. OptiPunch™ is compatible with a wider range of CAD formats than any other nesting software.
From CAD to CAM
The software automatically checks and cleans the CAD geometries and translates them into an NC Part Program . . . or alerts you if errors are present. It also assigns the machining process and creates the tool paths. Parts are stored in the Master File of the Part Library to allow for quality control mechanisms such as First Article Inspection and engineering changes.
In a Punch-only application, OptiPunch™ also:
- Automatically selects preferred tool set.
- Provides specific part tooling based on tool types of radius, tabbing, cluster, slitter, and single hit.
- Calculates tabbing tool placement automatically.
- Is able to automatically punch out irregular shaped holes and notches.
- Can tool parts using material dependent scallop control.
- Will match tool tolerances to individual over and undersize single hits.
- Recognizes die clearance limitations as defined by the user per material type.
- Automatically warns the user of geometric areas with no applicable tooling.
- Recognizes and automatically matches cluster punches to geometry.
- Applies rotational tooling such as rectangular or square shapes to linear and arc type geometry.
- Utilizes corner radius tools automatically if desired.
- Applies lead-in starter punches if applicable per material type.
- Automatically recognizes whether tooled part should be grain constrained due to tooling limitations per machine.
- Automatically assigns tools without assigning specific stations until time of nest creation for maximum flexibility.
- Provides a full-featured set of tools for interaction if desired.
- Can be configured in a "blank-to-size" single part program mode for handling non-nest type parts (calculates clamp positions automatically).
- Calculates micro-tab and micro-joint placement based upon tool path size if applicable.
In a Punch-combination application, OptiPunch™ also:
Determines kerf side and direction automatically.
- Automatically sets feed rates and grain direction based on geometry.
- Automatically creates lead-in/lead-out.
- Provides a full-featured Common Cutting approach that allows the user to specify which parts can be common edge cut when a part is libraried.
- Reads and applies key manufacturing information marks for bend lines, weld lines, grain direction, part numbers, order numbers, or anything you need with Geometric Marking and Text Etching.
A Storehouse of Knowledge
Material, machine and tool parameters are stored in the Knowledge Base, along with other key attributes about your operation. Similarly, design and key values of the ready-to-nest part program are stored in the Part Library where they are available for immediate use. Considered together, these variables can be used to create the most "intelligent" nesting pattern possible . . . i.e. the one best suited to the needs of your situation.
Within OptiPunch™, the user has the power and flexibility to adjust many tooling related parameters to customize the software to their specific application. For example:
General tooling parameters
The user can set and define multiple clamp "dead zones" per nest.
- The software can nest in the clamp zone.
- The software will automatically reposition based upon tool hits in the clamp zone and rapid moves around clamps.
- The software creates nests which automatically minimize tool changes and punch path.
- The user can create common or machine tool-specific tool libraries.
- The software sequences tools within forming tool interference zones.
- The software can accommodate an FMS punch configuration by recognizing the machine-tool's unique features (auto-loader, part and skeleton unloaders, and bin-and pallet offloading).
- The user has the option of creating either complete or abbreviated reports of the tool library.
- The software has the ability to recognize a hit that frees scrap and parts.
- The software has the ability to output tool changer information in NC code.
Tool Definition parameters
- The user can identify a tool by multiple classes or type characteristics.
- The user can set tool priorities.
- Each tool can be assigned any die clearance needed.
- The software tracks the hit count per tool for user maintenance.
- The user can choose from a large selection of additional tool dependent parameters.
- Each tool can be set to rotate to one of several angles.
- A tool can be identified as having a symmetrical shape.
- The software recognizes special tool classifications such as flat, forming, corner, radius, tabbing, single-hit only, and louver.
- The user can identify primary and alternate tool stations for each tool.
Tool Changer parameters
- The user can establish multiple "dead zones" per station.
- The software creates reports of multi-tool layouts.
- The user can generate reports detailing the configuration of the tool changer.
- The user can save and restore multiple tool changer configuration patterns.
- The user has the ability to edit the tool changer from the machine tool parameters.
- The user has the ability to define inactive stations adjacent to special tools in the turret.
Entering The Orders
Users can manually key orders into OptiPunch™ directly, or it can be interfaced to any scheduling system that outputs an ASCII file, eliminating the need to manually re-enter. Orders are automatically checked to ensure that the part can be produced and "flagged," if needed (for First Article Inspection, for example, or if engineering changes are detected). All clean orders are placed in the Active Order File while those not passing inspection are sent to the Suspended Orders File.
Creating the Nest
This module enables the software to read the Active Order File for the current demand of parts, extract the appropriate ready-to-nest parts from the Part Library's Master File and, drawing on the parameters you have established in the "Knowledge Base," create the optimal the optimal nesting pattern. The Nesting Module's ability to use several intelligent tools to create the nest is one of the primary advantages of Optimation's® software and, ultimately, the feature that enables you to get the parts you need, when you need them, in their exact quantities, at the lowest cost.
OptiPunch™ also:
- Can change tool management/configuration during nesting based on dates associated with active orders.
- Enables user to respond to changes in demand within the cycle time of one machine tool virtually on the fly to accommodate JIT (Just-In-Time) production systems.
- Can operate in a production run mode for optimizing "batch" runs relative to one tool setup or parts off-load restrictions
- Automatically tries multiple combinations of parts as well as multiple angle orientations for each part to find optimal manufacturing results.
Communicating with the Operator
Finally, the nest code is sent to the machine tool for fabrication in machine specific numeric code. In addition, the software automatically generates a nest summary report and plot to give the operator a comprehensive overview of each nest.
Machine tools OptiPunch™ runs by vendor:
Murata Wiedemann
New Automation
W. A. Whitney
Amada
C. Behrens Machinery
Finn-Power
Franklin
Mazak
Nisshinbo
Pullmax
Strippit / LVD
Trumpf
Salvagnini
|
