The tool definition GUI allows the user to assign the tooling and blank mesh required for setting up a particular stamping simulation. For a Single action Gravity Loading simulation (as shown in Figure 9.2.1), the tool definition GUI consists of Blank, Binder and Lower Tool.

By clicking on either the Blank, Binder or Lower Tool button, the dialog boxes as shown in Figure 9.2.2 will prompt the user to select the method of defining blank or tooling.

     

(a)  Define Blank                          (b)  Define Tool

Figure 9.2.2  The Tool Definition dialog box

If the blank mesh is available in a saved NASTRAN or DYNA file, the user can click the Import Mesh function to read in the blank mesh. The QuickSetup interface will automatically assign the part (blank mesh) as Blank. The user can also read in the blank geometry (in CAD format) by selecting Import CAD Data function. The Blank Mesh function (as shown in Figure 9.2.2(a)) is then used to mesh the blank geometry. This function is similar to Blank Generator described in Section 10.5. After completing the mesh generation, the QuickSetup interface will automatically assign the part (blank mesh) as Blank.

The Tool Mesh function (as shown in Figure 9.2.2(b)) meshes the tooling geometry. For detailed information about this function, refer to Section 5.3.4. The QuickSetup interface will also automatically assign the tool mesh as either BINDER or Lower Tool after the tool geometry is meshed.

The Select Part function (Figure 9.2.2(a)) allows the user to select the proper parts from the Select Part dialog box (Figure 9.2.3) and assign them as Blank, Lower Tool and Binder in the QuickSetup GUI. By clicking on Select Part function, the Define Blank dialog box is displayed, and the user can continue by adding the corresponding parts as Blank, Lower Tool and Binder. The Select Part function in the Define Tool dialog box (Figure 9.2.2(b)) is displayed. The Define Tool dialog box is shown in Figure 9.2.4.

Figure 9.2.3  A schematic illustration showing the Select Part operation for blank definition in QuickSetup

Figure 9.2.4  A schematic illustration showing the Select Part operation to define the Lower Tool in QuickSetup