The Ultimate Guide to Off-line Programming of Press Brakes with Autopol Bend Simulator Full Vers
Autopol Bend Simulator Full Vers: A Modern 3D Software Solution for Off-line Programming of Press Brakes
Press brakes are machines that bend metal sheets into various shapes and angles. They are widely used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, construction, and manufacturing. However, programming a press brake on the machine controller can be time-consuming, costly, and prone to errors. That's why many press brake operators and manufacturers are looking for a better way to create programs for their machines.
Autopol Bend Simulator Full Vers
One of the best solutions available today is Autopol Bend Simulator Full Vers, a modern 3D software solution for off-line programming of press brakes. This software allows you to create programs for your press brake on a PC, without occupying the machine or wasting material. You can import 3D models from various CAD systems, simulate the bending process, optimize the tool set-up and bend sequence, detect and avoid collisions, and generate production reports. All this can be done in a fast, easy, and accurate way.
In this article, we will explain what Autopol Bend Simulator is and why you need it. We will also show you how to use it to create efficient and accurate programs for your press brake. Finally, we will tell you how to get Autopol Bend Simulator Full Vers and what are the system requirements for running it.
What is Autopol Bend Simulator and why do you need it?
Autopol Bend Simulator is a software product developed by AutoPOL, a company that specializes in off-line programming solutions for sheet metal fabrication. Autopol Bend Simulator is designed to help you create programs for your press brake off-line, on a PC, without using the machine or material. This way, you can save time, money, and resources while improving the quality and productivity of your bending operations.
The benefits of off-line programming for press brakes
Programming a press brake off-line gives you many advantages over programming on the machine controller. Here are some of the main benefits:
Drastic reduction of machine down time: Instead of occupying the machine when programming on the controller, you can produce parts while new programs are created on a PC. This means you can use your machine more efficiently and increase your output.
Reduced programming time: Programming off-line is not only faster than programming on the machine controller, but also easier. You can use a graphical user interface, drag-and-drop tools, automatic functions, and visual feedback to create programs in minutes.
Quicker machine set-up: With well documented and clear production reports, machine preparation and tool rigging is more efficient. You can print out detailed instructions for tool set-up, back gauge positioning, bend sequence, etc., and follow them step by step.
Less scrap: With extremely accurate flat pattern calculation, due to AutoPOL's unique methods, initial scrap parts are heavily reduced. You can also simulate the bending process and check for collisions or errors before taking the part into production. This way, you can get the first piece right every time.
The features and functions of Autopol Bend Simulator
Autopol Bend Simulator is a powerful and user-friendly software that offers many features and functions to help you create programs for your press brake. Here are some of the main ones:
Importing 3D files from various CAD systems: You can import 3D models from different CAD systems, such as SolidWorks, Inventor, Solid Edge, AutoCAD, etc., in various formats, such as STEP, IGES, DXF, DWG, etc. You can also import 2D files and convert them to 3D files with the 2D converter function.
Auto sequencing to find the optimal bend sequence: You can let Autopol Bend Simulator automatically find the best bend sequence for your part, based on the geometry, tool configuration, and machine parameters. You can also manually adjust the bend sequence or create your own custom sequence.
Automatic tool set-up to find the best tool configuration: You can let Autopol Bend Simulator automatically select the best tools for your part, based on the available tools in your database and the machine specifications. You can also manually select or modify the tools or create your own custom tools.
Back gauge fingers to position the back gauges: You can let Autopol Bend Simulator automatically position the back gauges for each bend, based on the part geometry and the machine capabilities. You can also manually position or adjust the back gauges or create your own custom back gauges.
Collision detection to avoid collisions between tools and parts: You can simulate the bending process and check for any collisions between the tools and the part. Autopol Bend Simulator will warn you if there are any collisions and suggest solutions to avoid them. You can also view the collision points and modify the program accordingly.
Production reports to document and print the program details: You can generate production reports that contain all the information you need to set up and run your press brake. The reports include flat pattern drawings, bend sequence diagrams, tool set-up drawings, back gauge positions, machine parameters, etc. You can print out the reports or export them as PDF files.
How to use Autopol Bend Simulator to create efficient and accurate programs for press brakes
In this section, we will show you how to use Autopol Bend Simulator to create a program for a simple part. The part is a rectangular box with four bends. We will assume that you have already installed Autopol Bend Simulator on your PC and that you have a 3D model of the part in STEP format.
Importing 3D files from various CAD systems
The first step is to import the 3D model of the part into Autopol Bend Simulator. To do this, follow these steps:
Open Autopol Bend Simulator and click on New Project.
Select Bend Simulation as the project type and click OK.
In the Bend Simulation window, click on Import.
In the Select File Type window, select STEP as the file type and click Browse.
In the Select File window, locate and select the STEP file of your part and click Open.
In the Select File Type window, click OK.
In the Bend Simulation window, you will see a 3D view of your part. You can use the mouse buttons and wheel to rotate, zoom, and pan the view.
In the Bend Simulation window, click on Bend Data.
In the Bend Data window, you will see a list of all the bends in your part. You can edit or delete any bend by selecting it and clicking on Edit Bend or Delete Bend. You can also add new bends by clicking on Add Bend.
In this example, we will not make any changes to the bends. Click on Close.
Auto sequencing to find the optimal bend sequence
The next step is to find the optimal bend sequence for your part. To do this, follow these steps:
In the Bend Simulation window, click on Bend Sequence.
In the Bend Sequence window, you will see a list of all the bends in your part, numbered from 1 to 4. You can change the order of the bends by dragging and dropping them in the list. You can also use the buttons on the right to move them up or down, or to reverse the bend direction.
In this example, we will let Autopol Bend Simulator find the best bend sequence for us. Click on Auto Sequence.
In the Auto Sequence window, you will see a list of possible bend sequences for your part, ranked by score. The score is calculated based on the number of tool changes, back gauge movements, and collisions. The higher the score, the better the sequence.
In this example, we will select the first sequence, which has the highest score of 100. Click on Select.
In the Bend Sequence window, you will see that the order of the bends has changed according to the selected sequence. You can also see a graphical representation of the sequence in the 3D view. Click on Close.
2D converter to convert 2D files to 3D files
If you do not have a 3D model of your part, but only a 2D drawing, you can use Autopol Bend Simulator's 2D converter function to convert it to a 3D file. To do this, follow these steps:
In the Bend Simulation window, click on Import.
In the Select File Type window, select DXF/DWG as the file type and click Browse.
In the Select File window, locate and select the DXF or DWG file of your part and click Open.
In the Select File Type window, click OK.
In the Bend Simulation window, you will see a 2D view of your part. You can use the mouse buttons and wheel to zoom and pan the view.
In the Bend Simulation window, click on 2D Converter.
In the 2D Converter window, you will see a list of all the lines and arcs in your part. You can edit or delete any line or arc by selecting it and clicking on Edit Line/Arc or Delete Line/Arc. You can also add new lines or arcs by clicking on Add Line/Arc.
In this example, we will not make any changes to the lines and arcs. Click on Create Part.
In the Create Part window, you will see a preview of your part in 3D. You can use the mouse buttons and wheel to rotate, zoom, and pan the view.
In this example, we will accept the default settings for creating the part. Click on Create Part.
In the Bend Simulation window, you will see a 3D view of your part. You can proceed with finding the bend sequence and tool set-up as described in the previous sections.
Automatic tool set-up to find the best tool configuration
The next step is to find the best tool configuration for your part. To do this, follow these steps:
In the Bend Simulation window, click on Tool Set-up.
In the Select Machine Type/Model/Controller/Length/Tonnage/Daylight/Stroke/Throat Depth/Back Gauge Type/Back Gauge Travel/Back Gauge Height Adjustment/CNC Crowning/CNC Sheet Support/CNC Sheet Follower/CNC Angle Measurement System/CNC Tool Clamping System/CNC Tool Identification System/CNC Tool Library System/CNC Tool Library System/CNC Tool Library System/CNC Tool Library System/CNC Tool Library System/CNC Tool Library System/CNC Tool Library System/CNC Tool Library System/CNC Tool Library System/CNC Tool Library System/CNC Tool Library System/CNC Tool Library System/CNC Tool Library System/CNC Tool Library System/CNC Tool Library System/CNC Tool Library System/CNC Tool Library System/CNC Tool Library System/ CNC Angle Measurement System/ CNC Sheet Support/ CNC Sheet Follower/ CNC Crowning/ CNC Tool Clamping System/ CNC Tool Identification System/ In the Select Machine window, you will see a list of all the press brake machines that are compatible with Autopol Bend Simulator. You can select the machine that matches your machine type, model, controller, length, tonnage, daylight, stroke, throat depth, back gauge type, back gauge travel, back gauge height adjustment, CNC crowning, CNC sheet support, CNC sheet follower, CNC angle measurement system, CNC tool clamping system, CNC tool identification system, etc. You can also create your own custom machine by clicking on New Machine.
In this example, we will select a Prima Power P-2230 press brake with a Delem DA-66T controller and a 220 ton capacity. Click on Select.
In the Tool Set-up window, you will see a list of all the tools that are available for your selected machine. You can select the tools by dragging and dropping them from the list to the tool station. You can also use the buttons on the right to add or remove tools, or to change the tool orientation.
In this example, we will let Autopol Bend Simulator automatically select the best tools for our part. Click on Auto Tooling.
In the Auto Tooling window, you will see a list of possible tool configurations for your part, ranked by score. The score is calculated based on the number of tool changes, tool stations used, and collisions. The higher the score, the better the configuration.
In this example, we will select the first configuration, which has the highest score of 100. Click on Select.
In the Tool Set-up window, you will see that the tools have been selected and arranged according to the selected configuration. You can also see a graphical representation of the tool set-up in the 3D view. Click on Close.
Back gauge fingers to position the back gauges
The next step is to position the back gauges for each bend. To do this, follow these steps:
In the Bend Simulation window, click on Back Gauge Positioning.
In the Back Gauge Positioning window, you will see a list of all the bends in your part and their corresponding back gauge positions. You can edit or delete any back gauge position by selecting it and clicking on Edit Position or Delete Position. You can also add new back gauge positions by clicking on Add Position.
In this example, we will let Autopol Bend Simulator automatically position the back gauges for each bend. Click on Auto Positioning.
In the Auto Positioning window, you will see a list of possible back gauge positions for each bend, ranked by score. The score is calculated based on the distance from the bend line and the collision risk. The higher the score, the better the position.
In this example, we will select the first position for each bend, which has the highest score. Click on Select All.
In the Back Gauge Positioning window, you will see that the back gauge positions have been selected and updated according to your choice. You can also see a graphical representation of the back gauge positions in the 3D view. Click on Close.
Collision detection to avoid collisions between tools and parts
The next step is to check for any collisions between the tools and the part during the bending process. To do this, follow these steps:
In the Bend Simulation window, click on Bend Simulation.
In the Bend Simulation window, you will see a 3D animation of your part being bent according to your program. You can use the buttons on the bottom to play, pause, stop, or rewind the animation. You can also use the mouse buttons and wheel to rotate, zoom, and pan the view.
If there are any collisions between the tools and the part during the bending process, Autopol Bend Simulator will highlight them in red and display a warning message at the top of the window.
In this example, there are no collisions detected in our program. However, if there were any collisions, we could use one of these methods to avoid them:
Change tool set-up: We could go back to the tool set-up window and select different tools that have less collision risk. We could also change the tool orientation or position to avoid collisions.
Change bend sequence: We could go back to the bend sequence window and change the order of the bends to reduce the collision risk. We could also reverse the bend direction or split the part into sub-parts to avoid collisions.
Change back gauge positioning: We could go back to the back gauge positioning window and change the position of the back gauges for each bend to reduce the collision risk. We could also use different back gauge fingers or adjust the back gauge height to avoid collisions.
In this example, we are satisfied with our program and we do not need to make any changes. Click on Close.
Production reports to document and print the program details
The final step is to generate production reports that contain all the details of your program. To do this, follow these steps:
In the Bend Simulation window, click on Production Report.
In the Production Report window, you will see a preview of your production report. You can use the buttons on the top to zoom in or out, or to switch between pages.
The production report includes the following information:
Project name and date: The name and date of your project.
Part name and dimensions: The name and dimensions of your part.
Flat pattern drawing: A drawing of your part in its flat state, with dimensions and bend lines.
Bend sequence diagram: A diagram of your part in its bent state, with bend numbers, angles, and directions.
Tool set-up drawing: A drawing of your tool set-up, with tool names, dimensions, and positions.
Back gauge positions: A table of your back gauge positions for each bend, with bend numbers, distances, and directions.
Machine parameters: A table of your machine parameters for each bend, with bend numbers, tonnage, speed, stroke, etc.
You can print out the production report by clicking on Print. You can also export it as a PDF file by clicking on Export.
How to get Autopol Bend Simulator Full Vers and what are the system requirements
If you are interested in getting Autopol Bend Simulator Full Vers for your press brake programming needs, you can contact AutoPOL directly or through one of their authorized dealers. You can visit their website at https://www.autopol.com/ for more information.
The pricing and licensing options for Autopol Bend Simulator vary depending on the number of machines, users, and features you need. You can request a quote from AutoPOL or their dealers by filling out a form on their website or by calling them.
The minimum and recommended hardware and software specifications for running Autopol Bend Simulator are as follows:
MinimumRecommended
CPUDual core processor 2 GHz or higherQuad core processor 3 GHz or higher
RAM4 GB or higher8 GB or higher
HDD/SSD10 GB free space or higher20 GB free space or higher
Graphics cardDedicated graphics card with 1 GB memory or higherDedicated graphics card with 2 GB memory or higher
Monitor resolution1280 x 1024 pixels or higher1920 x 1080 pixels or higher
Operating systemWindows 7 SP1 64-bit or higherWindows 1