TPT September 2007

D esign, P roduction & M anagement S oftware

A third major software addition is ‘carriage push’, a utility that allows programmers to dynamically control the movement of the carriage using a profile. This complements the programmable control already available over clamp, pressure die, mandrel and follower action. This feature is expected to be of particular interest to users such as aerospace manufacturers, as it gives finer control over the bending process, to ensure quality results even when using the most expensive and thinnest-wall tubing materials. Numerous other machine management functions are included in the software as standard, such as a bar code reading capability, ‘black box’ style tracking of all actions for remote diagnosis in the event of a problem, and the ability to control access rights to software. Unison – UK Fax : +44 1723 582379 Email : enquiries@unisonltd.com Website : www.unisonltd.com

FE-analysis services for the cold rollform process

Somass, Germany, offers a range of services at its roll design office, including verification of roll designs using finite element analysis. Tool sets are designed for profile manufacturers and machine builders on the rollform market. The company also provides development of forming strategies, flower and roll designs, fi Finite element analysis services are supplied by Somass

and supports companies with in-house and external design services. Somass roll designs are used to produce round and rectangular tubes, trapezoidal sections, roofing profiles and special profiles (eg for the automobile industry). The company has recently been successfully certified by DIN EN ISO 9001:2000. The company has also invested in 3D machine designing software. Somass can now design special tool holders for rotated side rolls and the design of complete side roll tables.

Somass – Germany Fax : +49 8025 993 238 Email : info@somass.de Website : www.somass.com

Enhancement to computer controlled welding systems AWS Monitor from Weldlogic Europe Ltd, UK, is a Windows-based, real-time data acquisition system, designed to run on a standard PC or laptop. The system measures and records all of the main TIG welding parameters (arc voltage, welding current, weld-head travel, wire-feed speed and process time). It is designed to provide the quality assurance information for high-quality welds, traceability and certificate of conformance. Features of AWS Monitor include visual AWS150 indicator panel or dashboard, component serial number or automatic batch file recorder, visual weld inspection record, weekly text report of visual inspection record, set-up panel for comparison limits, and limits calculation manual editor. The system monitors the AWS150 welder, capturing all data up to 4 times a second, including machine serial number or weld-cell number. Real time data can be compared with master comparison files (with limits). One or more data fields can be compared – voltage, current, travel and wire feed. Files can be analysed and graphs produced using applications such as MS Excel and MS Access.

Direct transfer of 3D rollform models into SolidWorks/AutoCAD

Following the design of new rollform tools in rollform software Ubeco Profil, the 3D CAD model can now be directly created in SolidWorks and AutoCAD. The rolls of a single pass or all passes of the machine can be transferred, together with the deformed sheet within the machine if necessary. In this way, the roll tools are installed in the prepared 3D drawing of the rollform machine or tube forming line.

To transfer the drawing, the modern ActiveX interface of SolidWorks and AutoCAD is used. This means that the drawing is created directly in the CAD document that is currently open, with no file transfer necessary. Because Profil is an independent Windows program, it works in any CAD version without special CAD drivers or software that has to be installed in the CAD system.

› Tube forming line in SolidWorks

2D drawings of the flower pattern and roll tools – together with 3D drawings of the deformed sheet within the machine – can be transferred to any CAD system by using the ActiveX interface or the file formats DXF, IGES or MI. Ubeco GmbH – Germany Fax : +49 2371 45550 Email : roland.brandegger@ubeco.com • Website : www.ubeco.com

Weldlogic Europe Ltd – UK Fax : +44 1480 437479 Email : weld@weldlogic.co.uk Website : www.weldlogic.co.uk

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S eptember /O ctober 2007