The latest release of VISI mould and die software (VISI 2020.1 —
www.visicadcam.com) from Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division offers enhancements for a progressive die design process.
For example, the upgraded new part-unfolding technology provides the ability to work directly on the original solid model, supports blanking functionality, and manages parts with non-linear bends.
It also allows linear blank unfolding and flange unfolding to be combined into a single function — and coining faces can be unfolded as part of the same process.
VISI 2020.1 also provides a direct interface to Stampack Xpress for die simulation.
Meanwhile, the Reverse module has been enhanced with additional functions for ‘Reverse’ and ‘Casting’ processes, including new features to support the ‘scanning to surfaces’ generation, while features such as radius generation from mesh, plane generation, adapt mesh on boundary, and sectional curves on mesh provide greater benefit for the reverse process from point scanning to solid-model generation.
The stock model can then also be used for machining simulation purposes. Furthermore, the Compare feature has been improved to provide an enhanced graphical evaluation of the results, and to display distances between the scanned model and the final solid model.
A new ‘body to mould ’function has also been introduced.
This provides a quick solution to define the correct position and orientation of a plastic part on the tool; it also allows the transformation of a model from the ‘car in line’ position to the mould position — and applies the required shrinkage value.
A new automatic deburring function reduces the set-up time for what is a vital aspect of the overall process.
It creates a highly automated tool-path to deburr the sharp edges of a workpiece with a spherical tool. The tool is positioned in the ‘bi vector’ of the automatically detected sharp edges.
Automatic tilting and linking is then applied to avoid collisions.
The five-axis Autotilting capability has been enhanced in VISI 2020.1, with new smoothing options based on a more-advanced interpolation algorithm.
Also included are new graphical representations designed to assist in validating the model for manufacturing purposes.
For example, the ‘Undercut and Accessibility’ shading identifies undercut areas during the design and modelling phases.