Automatic calculation of the bending sequence (Options feature)

The automatic calculation procedure can be accessed from the workpiece drawing mask  by means of the following procedure:

•  press[Calculate];

Calculation window The accessed window will present a simulation of the workpiece to bend including the lower and upper parts of the bending press, the punch, the die, the stop and the workpiece prior to bending.

There are three windows on the right-hand side of the mask. These respectively indicate the number of rotations and overturnings to which the workpiece is subjected in the found bending sequence plus search enabling of the bending sequence with all the solutions.

The numeric control searches for the solution by attempting to always maintain the larger part of the metal plate in the operator’s hand. By modifying the calculation criteria, the sequence can be searched amongst all the possible solutions.

 Figure 2.11 - Bending sequence calculation mask

The bending sequence can be calculated in two modes: automatic or manual.

Automatic search of the bending sequence

The optimum bending sequence is established by the numeric control in automatic search mode. Press [Optimize] to allow the numeric control to search for the solution on its own.

Manual search of the bending sequence

The bending sequence is established by forcing the bends in manual search mode.

The bending sequence can be completely or partially forced by the operator. If the sequence is only partially entered, the remaining bends will be automatically calculated  by the numeric control.

The operator can move amongst the various bends by means of the and

The operator can turn the workpiece by means of the [Turn] key.

ù  press[Optimize] when the desired bends have been forced.

The numeric control searches for the solution by taking the sequence forced by the operator into account.

Optimizing result If the workpiece is not feasible, the numeric control warns the operator by means of a  NO SOLUTION  message.

In this case, the operator can attempt to calculate by means of the criterion that searches for all the solutions.

If there is no possible solution, the operator can attempt to identify the bend that makes it impossible to bend the workpiece. This is done by means of the manual bending sequence search function. Any collisions of the workpiece with the various parts of the machine are indicated by changing the colour at the side of the workpiece that actually collides.

• [Stop]: optimizing is interrupted so that modifications can be made;

• [Continue]: the numeric control searches for a different solution from the one just found. If the operator continues to refuse the proposed solutions, the numeric control will search until there are no other different ones. Once the solutions have terminated, the search will end with a NO SOLUTION  message;

• [Simulate]: the workpiece bend simulation will be displayed. The user can proceed with the bending sequence by using the [Continue]  key or can interrupt the simulation with the [Stop] key;

• [Accept]: the values calculated in the found solution will be entered in the program.

Simulation The obtained bending sequence can be simulated in the optimizing window of the graphic program, once the solution has b een accepted:

• Press the[Simulate] function key to display the workpiece without bends, preset for making the first bend.

• Press the [Bearing/Support] function key as many times as necessary to select the first support or the second support (if available), or the bearing of the workpiece.

Clearly, the locator will only move to the support position if there are no collisions and if permitted by the limit tar gets of the axes.

• Press the [Continue]  function key to display the workpiece with the first bend made.

• Press the[Continue] function key to display the workpiece with the first bend made and in position for the second bend.

• Press the [Stop] function key to stop the simulation. Press the [Previous] function key to return to the previous step in the simulation process.

• Press the [Continue]  function key through to the end of the simulation (the

Bearing/Support The operator can choose whether to make a supported bend in the data entry window of the graphic program:

• Press the[Simulate] function key to display the workpiece without bends, preset for making the first bend.

• Press the [Bearing/Support] function key as many times as necessary to select the first support or the second support (if available), or the bearing of the workpiece.

Clearly, the locator will only move to the support position if there are no collisions and if permitted by the limit tar gets of the axes.

• Press the [Continue]  function key to display the workpiece with the first bend made.

• Press the[Continue] function key to display the workpiece with the first bend made and in position for the second bend.

• Press the [Bearing/Support] function key as many times as necessary to select the first support or the second support (if available), or the bearing of the workpiece.

Clearly, the locator will only move to the support position if there are no collisions and if permitted by the limit tar gets of the axes.

• Press the [Stop] function key to stop the simulation. Press the [Previous] function key to return to the previous step in the simulation process.

• Press the [Continue]  function key through to the end of the simulation (the [Simulate] function key will appear again).

• The function is displayed in the numeric program at the top, to the right of the bend type (see meaning of the icons). The numeric control automatically calculates the corrections required on the X and R axes. In the numeric mode, the [Bearing/Support] function key does not work if the program is graphic. Access the simulation mask to modify the bearing support.