High Level Process Overview

The steps to create the data needed for a Progressive Die Quote are broadly outlined below;

1. Define the PartDefine the Part

   1. Start the new project by importing a suitable file. 
   2. Analyze the part to check the integrity and apply automatic repairs if possible. When that is complete we can capture an image that will be integrated in the final report.
   3. Then we define the UCS with the UCS Normal to Plane function, applying rotation for example, then use DieTip CS function to declare this. 
   4. The Die Skin function will create all the steps that we need, forming restrike, cutting, and blank.
   5. Use the Blank function which allows us to apply constraints and see the result. We can also run a safety zone analysis at this point. After the simulation has run we can capture another image for the final report.
   6. Use the 2D Addendum function to create an offset path around a blanked part to add extra material around the perimeter.
   7. Apply the Nesting function to the blank and define the nesting parameters with orientation and progression values.
   8. The Strip Dimension function is used to declare the strip width.

2. Create the punchesCreate the punches

   1. Next we define the punches. Use Strip Sketcher to quickly define the shape of all the punches using either the free or dimensionally constrained dimensioning options. We do not need high accuracy defining this cutting step when creating punches for quote purposes, so this can be done very quickly.
   2. Define the pilot, and positioning in the strip.
   3. Declare the Punch Trim Curves quickly and efficiently by clicking inside each element to set the punch. You can always go back to the strip sketching and edit the shape of the punches very quickly.
   4. Define each of the different punches with a specific color. Right click on the face of punches and apply your specific color.
   5. Capture another image for the final report.

3. Identify the forming featuresIdentify the forming features

   1. Activate the Forming feature to assign the forming faces. DieQuote provides several built in layers (Sets) that you can use to identify features, such as bending features, first forming, second stage forming, and so on.
   2. To define a feature, select the affected areas and right click to apply the relevant color. Continue until you have all the forming faces defined by color.
   3. Capture another image for the final report.

4. Restrike & CamsRestrike & Cams

   1. Assign Restrike and Cam requirements and using the same process to add color to define where operations will take place. Apply color for specific restrike and cam operations. For example, to define a restrike band, select the appropriate layer (Sets) then right click the area in the model and apply the color.
   2. Capture another image for the final report.

5. CuttingCutting

   1. Finally, we will Assign Cutting requirements using the composite curve and close open gap functions to recreate all the cutting wireframe element.
   2. Use colors to define all the different wireframe cutting elements. For example, select the hole then right click and apply color, and repeat until all the cutting elements are correctly defined.
   3. Capture one more image for the final report.

6. Generating the EstimateGenerating the Estimate

   1. The Estimate function opens a web page. The steps are laid out as tabs across the top of the form. The first time you use DieQuote you can open the settings area to define:

      • your company settings

      • the engineering settings with the die difficulty, the die size (where you set all the parameters such as die plate thickness, the die built up, and the die forces.

      • all the different machining parameters for wire and die surface machining.

      • custom material and labor elements for each element that you will insert. These will be integrated with your parameter, and these custom settings are retained and applied to future quotes.

      • springs and nitrogen cylinders costings

      • the tool steel pricing can be selected from the list or you can add your own.

      • die specs, such as cast dye or a plate die.

      • whether to insert a sensor.

      • presses

      • labor costs for many different regions

      • your required profit margin, delivery schedules, customer details, and price adjustments.

      These details are retained for subsequent estimates and can be updated at any time.

   2. With that data added, the DieQuote module imports the information we have been defining in Cimatron. This is laid out in pages that can be accessed from the tabs across the top of the form. 

      • These are divided into Plan Die, Die Specifications, Calculate Die, Custom Items, Estimate Die, Estimate Part, and Report. DieQuote captures the cutting and forming details, wire EDM, standard cams and die stations, part dimensions, die specification, design,  punch and die options, stripper and dice set, build up and tool steel type from your settings and from the file.

      • The Calculate Die page displays the center, the length, the shoes, the force, the press, the build up, and fast machining data. Everything is calculated automatically, within the DieQuote pages, so you can change any element and recalculate.

      •  The estimate page displays a breakdown that shows the material cost and the price for each plate and each element.

   3. Finally the Report page shows a summary of all the elements that have been used in the estimate. This can be exported to Excel, and this will add the images that were saved during the initial work in Cimatron. There are also a set of charts that visualize the information to enable you to provide easy to understand evaluations.

1. Define the PartDefine the Part

   The steps to create the data needed for a Transfer Die Quote are broadly outlined below;

   1. Start the new project by importing a suitable file. 
   2. Analyze the part to check the integrity and apply automatic repairs if possible. When that is complete we can capture an image that will be integrated in the final report.
   3. Then we define the UCS with the UCS Normal to Plane function, applying rotation for example, then use DieTip CS function to declare this. 
   4. The Die Skin function will create all the steps that we need, forming restrike, cutting, and blank.
   5. Use the Blank function which allows us to apply constraints and see the result. We can also run a safety zone analysis at this point. After the simulation has run we can capture another image for the final report.
   6. Use the 2D Addendum function to create an offset path around a blanked part to add extra material around the perimeter.
   7. Apply the Nesting function to the blank and define the nesting parameters with orientation and progression values.
   8. The Strip Dimension function is used to declare the strip width.

2. Identify the forming featuresIdentify the forming features

   1. Activate the Forming feature to assign the forming faces. DieQuote provides several built in layers (Sets) that you can use to identify features, such as bending features, first forming, second stage forming, and so on.
   2. To define a feature, select the affected areas and right click to apply the relevant color. Continue until you have all the forming faces defined by color.
   3. Capture another image for the final report.

3. Restrike & CamsRestrike & Cams

   1. Assign Restrike and Cam requirements and using the same process to add color to define where operations will take place. Apply color for specific restrike and cam operations. For example, to define a restrike band, select the appropriate layer (Sets) then right click the area in the model and apply the color.
   2. Capture another image for the final report.

4. CuttingCutting

   1. Finally, we will Assign Cutting requirements using the composite curve and close open gap functions to recreate all the cutting wireframe element.
   2. Use colors to define all the different wireframe cutting elements. For example, select the hole then right click and apply color, and repeat until all the cutting elements are correctly defined.
   3. Capture one more image for the final report.

5. Generating the EstimateGenerating the Estimate

   1. The Estimate function opens a web page. The steps are laid out as tabs across the top of the form. The first time you use DieQuote you can open the settings area to define:

      • your company settings

      • the engineering settings with the die difficulty, the die size (where you set all the parameters such as die plate thickness, the die built up, and the die forces.

      • all the different machining parameters for wire and die surface machining.

      • custom material and labor elements for each element that you will insert. These will be integrated with your parameter, and these custom settings are retained and applied to future quotes.

      • springs and nitrogen cylinders costings

      • the tool steel pricing can be selected from the list or you can add your own.

      • die specs, such as cast dye or a plate die.

      • whether to insert a sensor.

      • presses

      • labor costs for many different regions

      • your required profit margin, delivery schedules, customer details, and price adjustments.

      These details are retained for subsequent estimates and can be updated at any time.

   2. With that data added, the DieQuote module imports the information we have been defining in Cimatron. This is laid out in pages that can be accessed from the tabs across the top of the form. 

      • These are divided into Plan Die, Die Specifications, Calculate Die, Custom Items, Estimate Die, Estimate Part, and Report. DieQuote captures the cutting and forming details, wire EDM, standard cams and die stations, part dimensions, die specification, design,  punch and die options, stripper and dice set, build up and tool steel type from your settings and from the file.

      • The Calculate Die page displays the center, the length, the shoes, the force, the press, the build up, and fast machining data. Everything is calculated automatically, within the DieQuote pages, so you can change any element and recalculate.

      •  The estimate page displays a breakdown that shows the material cost and the price for each plate and each element.

   3. Finally the Report page shows a summary of all the elements that have been used in the estimate. This can be exported to Excel, and this will add the images that were saved during the initial work in Cimatron. There are also a set of charts that visualize the information to enable you to provide easy to understand evaluations.