Creating a Die Set

CimatronE 9.0 Tutorial

 Table of Contents

Part 1  Preparing Assembly and Assembly Plates...............................................................................1

Part 2 – Creating Relations to Setup Parameters...................................................................................8
Part 3 – Preparing the Guide Post Assembly.......................................................................................17
Part 4 – Completing the Die Set...........................................................................................................28
Part 5 – Saving the Die Set..................................................................................................................32
Part 6 – Testing the Die Set.................................................................................................................34

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Part 1  Preparing Assembly and Assembly Plates

The following exercise describes how to prepare assembly and assembly plates:
1. Open a new assembly and save it as "Dieset 101".
2. Create a new sub-assembly called “Bottom Assembly,” and place it on the main assembly UCS.
3. In the activated “Bottom Assembly” create a new part: “Die Shoe.” Place this part on the main
assembly UCS, and set “Delta Z” = -50 mm in the optional stage:

4. In the activated “Die Shoe” part create a sketch on the global XY plane, as shown:

5. Verify that the middle of the vertical lines have the same Y value, and that the middle of the
horizontal lines have the same X value as the UCS origin.

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6. Extrude the sketch to a distance of 50 mm downward:

The top face of the new die shoe should then be located 50 mm below the main assembly UCS,
as shown:

7. Activate the “Bottom Assembly” and add a new part: “Die Backing Plate.” Place this part on the
top face of the “Die Shoe.” Pick the UCS origin inside the placement sketch:

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8. In the activated “Die Backing Plate” part create a sketch and extrude it 25 mm upward, as shown:

9. Create another part called “Die Plate.” Place this part on the top face of “Die Backing Plate” as
shown in step 7.. Create a sketch and extrude it 25 mm upward, as shown:

10. Activate the main assembly and add a new sub-assembly: “Top Assembly.” Place this sub-
assembly on the main assembly UCS.
11. In the activated “Top Assembly” create a new part called “Punch Shoe.” Place this part on the
main assembly UCS. Set “Delta Z” = +105 mm in the optional stage.
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12. In the activated “Punch Shoe” create a sketch and extrude it 50 mm upward as shown:

13. Activate “Top Assembly” and add a new part called “Punch Backing Plate.” Place this part on the
bottom face of “Punch Shoe.” Pick the UCS origin inside the placement sketch:

14. In the activated “Punch Backing Plate,” create a sketch and extrude it 25 mm downward:

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15. Create another part called “Punch Plate.” Place this part on the bottom face of “Punch Backing
Plate.” Create a sketch and extrude it 25 mm downward, as shown:

16. Activate “Top Assembly.” Create the main datum planes and then a plane parallel to the XY
plane, 2 mm upward, as shown:

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17. Add a new part called “Stripper Plate.” Place this part on the parallel plane, and pick the UCS
origin inside the placement sketch:

18. In the activated “Stripper Plate” part create a sketch and extrude it 25 mm upward, as shown:

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19. Rename the parameters. Each plate should have 3 parameters – Length, Width, and Thickness –
as shown in the following example:

20. Set relations between the “Die Backing Plate” parameters to the “Die Plate” parameters.

21. Set the “Die Backing Plate:Length” = “Die Plate:Length,” “Die Backing Plate:Width” = “Die
Plate:Width.”
22. Set relations between the “Die Shoe” parameters to the “Die Plate” parameters:

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23. Set the following parameters:
 “Die Shoe:Length” = “Die Plate:Length” + 100
 “Die Shoe:Width” = “Die Plate:Width” + 100
24. Repeat steps 20.-21. for “Top Assembly.” The Punch Backing Plate, Stripper Plate, and Punch
Shoe parameters should all be related to the Punch Plate parameters. Make sure that the Punch
Shoe dimensions equal those of the Punch Plate + 100.

Part 2 – Creating Relations to Setup Parameters

This exercise describes how to create relations to setup parameters.
1. Select Tools > Setup.

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2. Change the Setup Format to Die Design and click OK.

Note: The Die Setup tool enables users to define and use the various parameters that are
associated with the assembly, but not with the physical model.
 By changing the setup format to Die Design, a set of parameters relevant to die design is used, as
shown above.
 Any geometrical dimension in the physical model can be related to the setup parameters. Thus a
change in the setup parameter value will change the value of the physical parameter related to it.
 When an assembly is added to a higher hierarchy assembly, its setup parameters values will be
automatically updated according to the values existing in the parent assembly. This important
feature allows users to automatically update various tool assemblies as soon as they are placed
inside die projects, mold projects, or other projects.
 The Die Setup Tool includes two additional tabs: Workpiece and Punch. These tabs, available
since CimatronE 8.0, contain additional data that are useful for creating relations.

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 As long as there is no die strip, forming shape or other workpiece, various parameters such as the
Bounding Data option are available for editing. Inside die projects, the user-defined or default
values are replaced by the actual workpiece size and the value cells become disabled.
 The bounding data values can be rounded by checking the Round Values option and specifying
the required rounding factor.

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 The setup parameters can be accessed by clicking the Show Setup Dimensions button ( )
when creating an expression. A dialog box containing the setup parameters is then displayed for
selecting the parameters. The dialog box has two parts – User Defined Parameters and
Dependent Parameters – corresponding to the tabs division in the Setup tool:

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3. Create a relation to the Die Plate thickness. Click the Show Setup Dimensions button, and
double-pick the “Die Plate Thickness” row in the Setup Parameters dialog box to add it to the
expression.

4. Click OK; the die plate thickness is now related to the setup table.

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5. Double pick “Add1” in the Bottom assembly to display the connection parameters, and define a
relation between the “Delta Z” value to the Die Shoe Location in setup, as shown below (note the
minus sign):

6. Define the relation to the Die Backing Plate thickness, as shown:

7. Relate the die shoe thickness to the suitable setup value (Die Shoe Thickness = Setup_Die:Die
Shoe Thickness).

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8. Select Tools > Setup, and modify the workpiece dimensions, as shown:

9. Define the relation between the Die Plate dimensions, and the workpiece dimensions, as shown:

10. In a similar manner, define the following relations in the Top Assembly:
a. Punch Plate Thickness = Setup_Die:Punch Plate Thickness
b. Stripper Plate Thickness = Setup_Die:Stripper Plate Thickness
c. Punch Backing Plate Thickness = Setup_Die:Punch Backing Plate Thickness
d. Punch Shoe Thickness = Setup_Die:Punch Shoe Thickness

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 e. L3(DZ) in “Add1” = Setup_Die:Punch Shoe Location

f. Punch Plate Length = Setup_Die:Workpiece Length + 50

g. Punch Plate Width = Setup_Die:Workpiece Width + 50

11. Finally, double-pick the Plane Parallel feature in the Top assembly to show offset parameters.
Relate the offset value to the workpiece thickness, as shown:

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12. Repeat step 8., and change the values for the workpiece-related parameters Width and Length.
Click the Update button, and verify that the die set updates accordingly, for example:

13. Change the values also for tool-related parameters such as Die Shoe Location, and Punch Plate
Thickness. Click the Update button and inspect the results.
14. Save and close the assembly.

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Part 3 – Preparing the Guide Post Assembly
In this exercise, all catalog components used to create the post assembly are “Misumi Die” parts.
Components should be added without being cut.

1. Open a new assembly, and save it as the following: “"MYAP Ball Bearing Guide Post Set.”
2. Create a new sub-assembly called “Bottom Side” and place it on the main assembly UCS.
3. In the activated Bottom Side sub-assembly add “MGHP Guide Holder_MGHP 32,” and place it
on the main assembly UCS:

4. Add “MYAP Guide Post_MYAP 32-110,” and place it on the main assembly UCS.

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5. Add “STMY Stopper_STMY 32-60.” Place it on the top face of the guide post. Pick the UCS
origin inside the placement sketch, as shown below:

6. Add “MBS Ball Retainer_MBS 32-60.” Place it on the suitable “STMY Stopper” face as shown
below, and pick the UCS origin inside the placement sketch:

7. Add “SWMY Spring for Ball Guide Post Set_SWMY 32-50” on the top face of the guide holder,
and pick the UCS origin inside the placement sketch:

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8. Double-pick the spring to show its parameters. Click the right-mouse button (RMB) and select
the Show/Hide Free Parameters option. Set CL=28, as shown below:

Note: “FL” is a primary dimension defining the spring’s free length, while “CL” is a free
parameter defining its actual (pressed) length.

9. Add 2 “MS Dowel Pins_MS8-25” on the bottom face of the guide holder. Add the center of the
suitable holes to the placement sketch.

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10. Add the “MSW Screw Plug_MSW8” on the shown cone face:

11. Add 4 “LB Cap Screw_LB 10-35” parts on the shown guide holder face. Add the appropriate
hole centers to the placement sketch and use the optional stage to place the screw heads on top of
the selected face:

12. Activate the main assembly. Create a new sub-assembly called “Top Side” and place it on the
main assembly UCS.

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13. In the activated Top Side sub-assembly add “MABP Ball Guide Bushing_MABP 32.” Place the
part in the main assembly UCS and set “Delta Z” = 150 in the optional stage. Flip the part if
necessary, by rotating it 180° around the Y axis, as shown below:

14. Repeat steps 9. and 11. for the Top Assembly. Add 4 “LB Cap Screw_LB 10-35” parts and 2
“MS Dowel Pins_MS8-25” parts, as shown below:

Note: The assembly now contains all required components, and it is now possible to add the
various expressions.

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15. Define the relations inside the Bottom Side sub-assembly, according to the following guidelines:
a. Guide Holder, Stopper, Ball Retainer, and Spring and Guide Bushing should all have their
diameter equal to the post diameter.
b. The spring free length (“FL”) equals the post length “L” minus guide holder height “H”
(which is a secondary dimension).
The spring actual length (free dimension “CL”) must take into account the ball retainer
height “L” and its position above the post, as determined by the stopper’s free dimension “S,”
in addition to other dimensions such as the stopper’s secondary dimension “t.”

c. The diameter of screws and pins relates to the corresponding hole diameters in the guide
holder (secondary dimensions “e” and “d”).

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 Note: In order to display secondary dimensions while creating an expression, double-pick the
part holding the dimensions, click the right-mouse button (RMB), and select the Show/Hide
Secondary Parameters option as shown below:

d. The dowel pin length should equal the guide holder flange thickness “T” + 5.
e. The screw plug diameter should relate to the corresponding hole diameter in the guide holder
(“M”).
f. The screw length should be longer than the guide holder flange thickness “T” plus one screw
diameter (or corresponding hole diameter).

Required Relations in the Bottom Side Sub-Assembly

Part Dimension Relation Description

MGHP Guide Holder D = MYAP Guide Post:D

STMY Stopper PD = MYAP Guide Post:D
MBS Ball Retainer PD = MYAP Guide Post:D
SWMY Spring PD = MYAP Guide Post:D

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 Part Dimension Relation Description

SWMY Spring FL = MYAP Guide Post:L - MGHP Guide

Holder:H
SWMY Spring CL = MYAP Guide Post:L – MGHP Guide
Holder:H – MBS Ball Retainer:L +
STMY Stopper:S –STMY Stopper:t+
5
MS Dowel Pin SD = MGHP Guide Holder:e
MS Dowel Pin L = MGHP Guide Holder:T + 5
MSW Screw Plug M ≤ MGHP Guide Holder:M
LP Cap Screw d < MGHP Guide Holder:d
LP Cap Screw L ≥ MGHP Guide Holder:T + MGHP
Guide Holder:d

16. Define the relations inside the Top Side sub-assembly, according to the following guidelines:
a. The Guide Bushing Diameter “PD” should equal post diameter “D.”
b. The diameter of screws and pins relates to the corresponding hole diameters in the guide
bushing (secondary dimensions “e” and “d”).
c. The Dowel pin length should equal the guide bushing flange thickness “T” + 5.
d. The screw length should be longer than the guide bushing flange thickness “T” plus one
screw diameter (or corresponding hole diameter).

Required Relations in the Top Side Sub-Assembly

Part Dimension Relation Description

MABP Ball Guide PD = MYAP Guide Post:D

Bushing
MS Dowel Pin SD = MABP Ball Guide Bushing:e
MS Dowel Pin L = MABP Ball Guide Bushing:T + 5
LP Cap Screw d < MABP Ball Guide Bushing:d
LP Cap Screw L ≥ MABP Ball Guide Bushing:T +
MABP Ball Guide Bushing:d

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17. Change the assembly’s setup format to “Die Design” (see step 2 in Part 2).
18. Double-pick “Add1” in the Top Assembly to display the connection parameters of the guide
bushing. Define the relation between “Delta Z” and the setup parameters, as shown below:

19. Set relations between the post length “L” and the setup parameters, as shown below:

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20. Define the post diameter “D” as a leading dimension:

21. Save and close the assembly.

22. Open the die set assembly. Activate Setup and change the Punch Shoe Location value to 90 mm.
23. Use Add Duplicate to add the post sets on the top face of the lower die shoe, as shown:

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24. Use Individual Control to rotate two posts set instances 180°, so that the screw plug in each post
sets points outwards, as shown below:

25. Click the Edit Leading Dimensions button and change the “D” (post diameter) to 20.

26. Click OK in the Leading Dimensions dialog box. Change the sketch dimensions as shown
below:

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27. Confirm the Add operation. Note that because the correct relations were used in the setup
parameters, the size of the post sets already corresponds to the size of the die set.

Part 4 – Completing the Die Set

1. Activate the Top Assembly. On the bottom top face of the Punch Backing Plate add 4 instances
of “SGPH Stripper Guide Pin_SGPH 16-90,” as shown. The stripper pins should be added “With
Cut:”

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2. Define the relation to the stripper pin length “L,” as shown below:

3. Add 4 instances of “SGBH Stripper Guide Bushing_SGBH 16-22,” with cut on top of the
Stripper Plate. After selecting the face, click the right-mouse button (RMB) and select Pick
Reference Component. Select the stripper guide pins; the bushings will be placed on the same
XY locations:

4. Set “Delta Z” = -1 mm.

5. Define the relations to the dimensions of the stripper bushings:
a. Between its length and stripper plate thickness (L < “Stripper Plate:Thickness”)
b. Between its diameter and stripper pin diameter (d = “SGPH Stripper Guide Pin:D”)
c. Cutting dimensions (Lcut=Stripper Plate:Thickness-L)

6. Activate the Bottom Assembly and add 4 instances of “SBGH Stripper Guide Bushing_SGBH
16-22” on top of the Die Plate. Select a reference component and set “Delta Z” = -1, as described
in step 4..

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7. Define the relations to the dimensions of the stripper bushings:
a. Between its length and die plate thickness (L < “Die Plate:Thickness”)
b. Between its diameter and stripper pin diameter (d = “SGPH Stripper Guide Pin:D”)
c. Cutting dimensions (Lcut=Die Plate:Thickess-L)

8. Use "Extrude Remove" inside the die backing plate to Create holes for clearing the stripper pins
in the die backing plate, use the center of pins as reference and set relations between holes and
pin diameters, as shown below:

9. Add 6 “CB Cap Screws_ CB 10-50” with cut as shown:

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10. Define the relation between the screw length “L” and the plate length, as shown below:

11. Repeat step 10. for the top side, and define similar relations to the top assembly screws.

12. Create 2 mm chamfers on all plates edgeseverywhere. The die set is now complete:

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Part 5 – Saving the Die Set
1. Select DieDesign > Assign Component.

2. Select components and assign attributes, as shown below:

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 Note: These attributes will be used inside the Trimming Punch tool. The parts selected with
this tool are assigned a suitable category and sub-category. For example:

It is also possible to assign these attributes directly inside the Data Manager instead of using the
Assign Component tool.

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3. Use the Add Picture tool to add pictures to the document:

4. Save the assembly. In Data Manager set the shown category and sub-category:

5. Click Submit Changes after assigning the new file attributes.

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Part 6 – Testing the Die Set
The reference file for this exercise is Bending_1.ctf and is located in the following folder: \\Tutorial
Work Files\Updates\CAD.
1. Open the Bending_1 assembly. Activate the Setup tool and change the values, as shown:

2. Click the New Die Set button in the Die Tool Guide.

3. Browse for the folder in which you have saved your die set.

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4. Select the required sub-category and item, as shown:

5. Click OK and place the die set on the main UCS assembly.

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6. Complete the operation and inspect the results. Verify that all dimensions are as required and that
all relations have been updated correctly.

7. Note that the screws interfere with the forming shape as shown below:

In order to fix the interference it is necessary to correct the relations between the die plate/punch
plate and the workpiece size (see Part 2, steps 9.10.-10.).
For example, set “Length” = “Setup_Die:Workpiece Length” + 100, “Width” =
“Setup_Die:Workpiece Width” + 100.

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