In the Tools interface, the user can add, delete and move tools, define tool Part, Position and Contact between blank and tool. The main interface is illustrated in Figure 11.2.19.
Figure
11.2.19
Tools interface
TOOL LIST
All the currently defined tool names are listed on the left side of the Tools dialog box. Among all these tool names, there is a pressed button which indicates the current tool. The user may click this button to change the current tool setting. The user is allowed to select dummy tool and plant line in the interface. In the default tool list, there are three tools: Tool, Dummy And Plant. If there is no selection, there is only one Tool in the default tool list.
Note: The newly created tool label is red, which indicates that the definition of tool parameter is not completed. In the new auto-setup, the user must define each necessary parameter completely. Otherwise, the label remains red to prompt the user to finish the setup.
ADD TOOL
This function allows the user to create a tool in the current setup. The user can click the Add button to display the Add tool dialog box, illustrated in Figure 11.2.20.
Figure
11.2.20
Add tool dialog box
NEW TOOL
The user is allowed to define a name for the current tool. The default tool name is Tool1, Tool2, Tool3, etc.
DEFAULT SETTING
The user is allowed to set default parameters for the currently created tool, including default settings such as Offset. In the default setup, there are three selections: Use Setting of Tool, Use Default Setting, and Use as Guide Pin.
USE SETTING OF TOOL: Use the parameters of an existing tool for the new tool. The user can select an existing tool in the pull-down list. The new tool only has the contact setup parameters of the existing tool.
USE DEFAULT SETTING: Use the default parameters to define a new tool. The user can modify each parameter after the new tool is created.
USE AS GUIDE PIN: Define the new tool parameter as guide pin. Refer to the section about guide pin for a detailed description.
APPLY
The user may click this button to create new tool. The new tool will be added to the left tool list. If the user defines the new tool as guide pin, there will be a prompt ***Guide Pin on this tool page after defining the tool.
DELETE TOOL
This function allows the user to delete the current tool. The user can select a tool in tool list as the current tool. Then click the Delete button to display a prompt dialog box, illustrated in Figure 11.2.21.
Figure
11.2.21
Delete tool prompt dialog box
Click OK to delete the current tool. Click Cancel to cancel the current deleting operation.
TOOL GEOMETRY
This function allows the user to define part for the current tool. The user may add one or multiple parts to the current tool. Clicking the Define geometry… button, the program will pop up a Tool Geometry dialog box. Refer to Section 8.3.4.4 for a detailed description.
After the tool is defined, the parts corresponding to this tool will be displayed in the part list.
POSITION
The user may position the tool by entering the moving distance between tool and Home position, or click the Move button to adjust the position between tools. Show Tool option can only display the defined tool. After this option is toggled on, only the defined tools are displayed in the display window, and the other parts are all closed, as illustrated in Figure 11.2.22.
Figure
11.2.22
Tool Position
MOVE
This function enables the user to adjust the position between tools. Clicking the Move button, the system will automatically pop up the Move dialog box. Refer to the section about scrap move for detailed operations.
CONTACT
This function allows the user to define the contact parameter between scrap and the tool involved in calculation. Refer to Section 8.3.4.4 for a detailed description.
DUMMY
This function allows the user to define some dummy tools which actually are not involved in calculation. The remains of the stamped part after scrap shedding and other parts which are not involved in calculation will be kept as Dummy. This can save calculation time and visually show the relationship between them and scrap as well as tool in the post processor. Dummy tool does not have to define contact parameters. The interface is illustrated in Figure 11.2.23.
Figure
11.2.23
Dummy tool interface
PLANT
This function allows the user to define plant line data. The user may define plant line data according to the requirements, which is to place the plant line hole in a proper position. The interface is illustrated in Figure 11.2.24.
Figure
11.2.24
Plant interface
PLANT GEOMETRY
This function allows the user to define parts for the current plant line. Click the Define geometry… button to display a dialog box, as illustrated in Figure 11.2.25.
Figure
11.2.25
Define geometry dialog box
The user can add plant line hole directly to the list, or click the Plant Line button to import from the plant line library file. The library file dialog box is illustrated in Figure 11.2.26.
Figure
11.2.26
Library data dialog box
APPLY
The user can click this button to confirm the read-in data of plant line hole. The data is displayed in the plant line list.
IMPORT
The user can click this button to import the necessary plant line data.