Sheet Metal Design

5.0

The SolidWorks partner solution

for optimum cooperation with
the TRUMPF production systems
of the TruTops-series
www.topsworks.com 5.0
Sheet Metal Design From the Idea to the Product
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 Metal

Especially 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 Metal

TruTops: Technology-oriented-production system
TRUMPF offers a fully integrated concept for flexible production
- The machines and production system are from one source.

TruTops Punch is the

production system for
punching and
combination machining

TruTops Bend is the

production system
for bending.
Advantages with ToPsWorks

Integration in SolidWorks
ToPsWorks has been completely integrated into SolidWorks,
this makes ToPsWorks easy to use and learn. Access to the TruTops Bend Technology

Access to the
Interface to the TruTops Production Systems TruTops Punch Technoloy
ToPsWorks 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 Parts Inserting a Punch Feature from

The bends of a SolidWorks sheet metal part are analyzed the TruTops Punch Tool Database
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 Implemeting the TruTops Bend Technology on the Sheet Metal Part
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 Drawing

Using 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 Sheet metal parts from the
GEO-file
Through this funtion it is possible to migrate historical data GEO-Import to create
direktly back to SolidWorks as a native sheet metal part. If 3D-Model
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-file

Sheetmetal 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-Export

ToPsWorks 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 technicaldata is supported

Bendline information (such as position, radius, angle), bend-
lines, bend type and bending methodare transferred.

Tool information and tool type are supported

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

Export options
Table editor to customize the ToPsWorks database of ToPsWorks
ToPsWorks 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 Bit
By supporting 64bit, ToPsWorks can now be used in the con-
text of extremely large assemblies.

API-interface to automate repetivie processes

This 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.
 Development Programming Production
TruTops Laser, Bend, Punch
GEO-file
production system Laser
(TruLaser 5030 classic)
technology
data from
TruTops Punch TruTops Punch
Database Punching /
Combination
technology data from (TruMatic 6000)
TruTops Bend
TruTops Bend Database Bending
(TruBend 5130)
empirical data
data is compared
 5.0

www.topsworks.com
Direct usage of the Geo-file

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

Implementation
in TruTops Bend

ToPsWorks World Wide

ToPsWorks 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) DPS Softwareentwicklung GmbH
Esslinger Strae 7
Supported TruTops Databases: all current metric TruTops Bend and TruTops
70771 Leinfelden - Echterdingen
Punch databases from TRUMPF
Germany
Installation programm: Windows installation and updates are conform
Tel.: +49 711 7973100
with Windows.
Fax: +49 711 79731029
The centralization of Software installation and
updates is supported
e-Mail: info@topsworks.com
Available in the following languages: German, English and French Internet: www.topsworks.com