Die Design

[REnright]

I am looking for any knowledge of how to actually start a fully constrained die design. I have had one week of training on V5 and I am getting ready to start a new die. Help is definately needed.

 

[DBezaire]

You will need a few more weeks of training before a fully constrained assembly of a die is achieved.
Check out

http://www.aventec.com/

They have an intelligent template system for the tool and die market. You will be trained by an individual that has 15 years in the die design trade. I have seen their demonstration. Impressive - but we are in the tool and mold market. The individual to talk with is Phil Markham.

Regards,
Derek

 

[REnright]

I don't really need help with the die design itself ,,,but more with the software. I have been on Unigraphics for 9 yrs designing dies. Just looking for tips to complete a constrained die.

 

[DBezaire]

REnright - what Catia licensing do you have - I read your posts on COE.

Regards,
Derek

 

[REnright]

I am using a MD2 license.

 

[DBezaire]

This is part of your problem. You have a base design license - you have enough functionality to make it work but some additional models would make your life much easier. Since you are a UG man - with the base modelling package of UG + 1 week of training could you make that trim die in 2-3 min.
With the correct solution from Catia you can achieve excellent results.
The responses on COE would just duplicate what I would say.

Regards,
Derek

 

[REnright]

We used to build trim steels "by hand" with ease. Probably in the range of 10-15 minutes per steel. Then the program came out and all you need is a 3D curve and with three additional clicks,, you have your steel of any complexity. But you have a good point about one week of training. I was a guinea pig for the TRIM STEEL program when it first came out and it took over eight hours for me to make the first steel. It has obviously advanced since then. Just looking for some additional advice and good practices to help me along with V5. I am starting two new dies tomorrow.

 

[CATPart]

Hi DBezaire,

I'm in similar situation, the company where I work is a die casting foundry, and currently 100% of dies we buy from outside tool makers.

I have been set in the team that will design the dies in house, we use Catia V5R14 MD2 licenses, I have previously worked in UG and with Catia I'm pretty familiar, followed also some Catia training.

You said:
With the correct solution from Catia you can achieve excellent results.

Please, can you be more specific what is needed to effectively design dies in Catia.

 

[REnright]

Hi CATPart, do you guys have to keep all the constraints and history on your die designs?

 

[CATPart]

Hi REnright,

We still have to make our first die, we have a lot of experience in die casting, maintenance and repair of dies...

We now feel that there is enough experience to start with own production.

As we will start from zero, and already use Catia allover company I want to set it up correctly, maybe I'll consider also mould specific software like VISI from Vero soft. (But this will require some argue with the management )

What do you men with:
keep all the constraints and history on your die designs?

 

[REnright]

Well..In Catia V5,,"from my knowledge" they design with constraints. Like for example, you have a trim line and you don't remove parameters(UG) or constraints(V5) you can substitute the trim line and it will update to the new data. But if you guys are starting up and constraints are not required,,I myself would design in UG,, and translate via step214. I have 9 yrs exp. in UG and die design and like 2 weeks in V5. So I am definately bias to UG. What state are you in?

 

[CATPart]

I have 3 yrs. in Catia V4 a 1 year in UG.

I V5 almost 1 year, and when I started with V5 I said to myself give me back my UG...

But the situation changed very quickly, now I wouldn't change V5 for nothing

As we receive the model of the casting from the customer, constrains are used only on the die parts. We do not design the part (Casting). I use constrains wherever possible.

Give the V5 little bit more time, I know It's hard after 9 yrs. to make a change.

 

[thixoguy]

Hi All,

I too am a former UG guy and about 6 months into V5. While I am sure I will grow to love Catia....there are still plenty of days where NX is sorely missed.

Regards,
thixoguy

 

[DBezaire]

REnright - I am work with molds, I would need to see your process inorder to create the knowledge base for it. What you are describing is a perfect example of a powercopy. Once you build a few trim steels a powercopy can be created. You have this functionality with MD2. Read up in the online docs to get a basic understanding so I can go into further detail.
Also take a look at this site. Solid7 has provided (with other users) some useful scripts/powercopies and tutorials.

http://2htts.com/CATBlog/?&blogid=1

Regards,
Derek

 

[CATPart]

Hi DBezaire,

Above you can find my post from 10 aug 6:55, I would really appreciate your help/tips because we will start from zero and I want to do it right ( to use all available Catia possibilities ).

I will also ask our dealer to make the presentation of Catia mould design module, and I want to be prepared as much as possible.

Thanks in advance,

P.S.
You and REnright are talking about TRIM STEEL, if possible brief explanation?

 

[DBezaire]

CATPart - who is your dealer, don't waste your time with the MTD licensing, I see you are in automotive. MTD (Mold Tool Design has it's place, widgets. If you want you can talk with one of our corp. execs and get the 3 license that I don't use. Enough bashing. You want something:

http://www10.mcadcafe.com/nbc/articles/view_article.php?articleid=262326

The company is Ascendbridge and the contact is Stephen Owen.

There concept is relational tool/mold design with intelligence. We have created something extremely similar at our shop, but we need some additional licensing to add the Knowledgeware from Catia. This is were you would want to go. The additional knowledge ware items are Knowledge Advisor - this allows you add automatic checks to your parts and assemblies. The other piece is Product knowledge template. In the grand scheme of things - save you time and money. There is no need to introduce another cad package.
How many seats of catia do you have and what sort of licensing?
I will go in further detail about the die setup. You could piece some of it together from previous posts, I was very descriptive with a few people in this forum. Pick on my name and review some of my previous - I have to take off.

Regards,
Derek

 

[CATPart]

Derek,

The dealer is company CAD CAM DESIGN CENTAR, Croatia's dealer.

I don't know exact number of licenses, but approximate is close to 100 seats, I have to check with administrator next week which licensing options are available, I use MD2.

Rgds,

 

[thixoguy]

Hi DBezaire,

I am currently enrolled at Ascendbridge in the advanced part design course. I have inquired about the relational mould design course you mentioned earlier. It seems quite promising and much better than the MTD package. Is that how you guys design your tooling?

thanks,thixoguy

 

[CATPart]

thixoguy or DBezaire,

Can you be so kind and provide me with the direct e-mail of Mr. Stephen Owen from Ascendbridge?

Thanks in advance,

 

[DBezaire]

CATPart - this web site removes emails due to spammers. Go to

http://www.ascendbridge.com

and select the contact us (bottom left of web page. You can either call and ask for Stephen Owen (sales) or Dave Reaume (Dave is the tech guy).

Regards,
Derek