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The SolidWorks partner solution for optimum cooperation with the TRUMPF production systems of the TruTops-series

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Today, the key to producing high-quality sheet metal components efficiently is not only a question of how it has been manufactured. More important, is that all of the steps in the complete process chain from the idea to the finished product are optimally coordinated. This holistic approach ensures that

the design needs of manufacturing are taken into consideration. the programming is technology-oriented. the production makes full use of the entire machine technology.

This is achieved by

re-implementing empirical values derived from experience. transferring data directly from SolidWorks to TruTops.

SolidWorks in the Design Process for Sheet MetalEspecially for small and ever-changing lot sizes, it is important that the CAD system is flexible to ensure an optimum cooperation with production. With the parametric 3D CAD System SolidWorks it is possible to easily create sheet metal parts in the context of an assembly as well as making logical and fast changes. SolidWorks thereby supports specific sheet metal features for a practice oriented and intuitive construction. That is why so many customers from the sheet metal industry are counting on SolidWorks and are taking advantage of the open system philosophy with all the relevant interfaces.

TruTops production systems in the Design Process for Sheet MetalTruTops: Technology-oriented-production systemTRUMPF offers a fully integrated concept for flexible production - The machines and production system are from one source.

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From the Idea to the Product…

TruTops Punch is the production system for punching and combination machining

TruTops Bend is the production system for bending.

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Bend Table on the SolidWorks Drawing

Implemeting the TruTops Bend Technology on the Sheet Metal Part

Access to the TruTops Bend Technology

Access to the TruTops Punch Technoloy

Inserting a Punch Feature from the TruTops Punch Tool Database

Advantages with ToPsWorks

Integration in SolidWorksToPsWorks has been completely integrated into SolidWorks, this makes ToPsWorks easy to use and learn.

Interface to the TruTops Production SystemsToPsWorks retrieves information directly from the TruTops production systems TruTops Punch and TruTops Bend data-bases. As a result, all the relevent data necessary to design a correct sheet metal part and its flat pattern are available during the design process. This ensures that there are no rejects, reduces the number of necessary samples, shortens the cycle time and increases flexibility.

Processing SolidWorks Sheet Metal PartsThe bends of a SolidWorks sheet metal part are analyzed according to sheet metal thickness, bend type and bend angle. The corresponding parameters such as materials and tools are provided by the TruTops Bend database. According to these parameters, the bends are adjusted with the cor-rect radii and shortening values. This ensures that the sheet metal part that is handed over to production contains all the correct bend information.

ToPsWorks makes it possible to insert punching Features based on the TruTops Punch database. That way information about the available tools is provided during the design pro-cess. For a series of punching-features the TruTops specific parameters can be transferred to the GEO-file and can be used by the technology module from TruTops Punch without the user having to make any further modifications.

ToPsWorks allows you to display processing samples with SolidWorks formingtools. In this way repetitive machining operations in TruTops Punch can be displayed through Solid-Works formingtools. Thus no additional programming is necessary. TruTops-specific processing samples for a series of Punch feature can be transferred to the GEO-file and with no further steps can be used in the TruTops Punch techno-logy module.

Inserting a Bend Table on the DrawingUsing ToPsWorks, a bend table with the bend parameter from the sheet metal part can be placed on the drawing. Infor-mation such as the sheet metal thickness, the material, the tools and the parameters of each bend can be displayed.

Bend Table on the SolidWorks Drawing

GEO-Import to create 3D-Model

Export options of ToPsWorks

GEO-Import to create 3D Sheet metal parts from the GEO-fileThrough this funtion it is possible to migrate historical data direktly back to SolidWorks as a native sheet metal part. If the GEO-file contains the bend line information a sheet metal part can be created. The user can thus convert his 2D infor-mation to 3D SolidWorks – sheet metal parts.

Exporting the Sheet Metal Part as a TRUMPF GEO-fileSheetmetal parts that have been processed with ToPsWorks, can be exported to GEO-Format directly for the TruTops pro-duction systems Laser, Bend, Punch. Thus, the user saves having to create a drawing of the flattened part, export this to DXF format, import this DXF to TruTops, make potential contour preparation and insert the bend information. The GEO-files created contain the contour information for the flat pattern, the process data for the bends, as well as the material information and sheet metal thickness. Further, spe-cial attributes can be included in the GEO-format to account for punch features.

Support of metadata during GEO-ExportToPsWorks now allows you to include certain metadata directly in the GEO-file. The user may configure this himself. For example he can create SolidWorks properties that are extracted and included in the GEO-file (for example Part ID Number, Drawing note, Programmer).

Further technical data is supportedBendline information (such as position, radius, angle), bend-lines, bend type and bending method are transferred.

Tool information and tool type are supportedStandard elements such as rectangle, round, square but also special tools such as single hole tool and single hole tool center punch are transferred.

Table editor to customize the ToPsWorks databaseToPsWorks supplies you with an Editor to edit and modify the userdefined bendtables. The user has the ability to make cor-rections with having Microsoft access on his machine. This is an enhancement to the SolidWorks bend table functions.

Support 64 BitBy supporting 64bit, ToPsWorks can now be used in the con-text of extremely large assemblies.

API-interface to automate repetivie processesThis interface offers the user a better integration to his pro-duct development process. Through this automation for repetive operations the user saves time. It is possible for example to take GEO-files from SolidWorks sheet metal parts and check these in to the PDM system.

technology data from

TruTops Punch

GEO-file

TruTops Bend

TruTops Punch

production system

data is compared

empirical data

TruTops Laser, Bend, Punch

technology data from

TruTops Bend

Development Program

ming Production

Laser (TruLaser 5030 classic)

Punching / Com

bination(TruM

atic 6000)

Bending(TruBend 5130)

Database

Database

Implementationin TruTops Bend

Direct usage of the Geo-file

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ToPsWorks World WideToPsWorks is being used world wide. ToPsWorks is supported by TRUMPF and being implemented by TRUMPF.

Technical data to ToPsWorks

System requirements: Operating system: Windows XP

SolidWorks: from SolidWorks 2007 and SolidWorks 2007 (64 bit)

Supported TruTops Databases: all current metric TruTops Bend and TruTops Punch databases from TRUMPF Installation programm: Windows installation and updates are conform with Windows. The centralization of Software installation and updates is supported

Available in the following languages: German, English and French

Propagation of technology data, for example tools and dot mark points according to TruTops

DPS Softwareentwicklung GmbHEsslinger Straße 7

70771 Leinfelden - EchterdingenGermany

Tel.: +49 711 7973100 Fax: +49 711 79731029

e-Mail: info@topsworks.comInternet: www.topsworks.com

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