Flux Reference Manual

  • Welcome to Flux
  • Introduction
    • Installing the Software
    • The User Interface
    • Part Workflow
    • The Machine Database
  • Cut
    • Basic Workflows
      • Part Workflow
        • Load Part
        • Sketch Mode
        • Measure
        • Modifying Laser Part
        • Nesting
        • Sequence Navigator
        • NC Code Generation
      • Job workflow
        • Create Job
        • Set Laser Technology Table (LTT)
        • Nesting
        • Automatic Part Placement
        • Manual Part Placement
    • Advanced Topics
      • Geometry Import Options
      • Advanced Tooling Options
        • Editing Microjoints
        • TwinLine
        • FlyLine
        • Dimple Approach
        • Remainder Sheets
        • Pie-Slug Circular Holes
        • Avoid Retooling Pierces
        • Finishing Rules
        • Clone LTT
      • Advanced Nesting Features
        • Mirrored Parts
        • Find a Part in Nest Layout
        • Filler parts in Nest Layout
      • Advanced Tooling Optimization
        • Contour Quality
        • Optimizing Stability with Scrap Cutting
        • Optimizing Tilting Behaviour
        • Space Out Slice Cuts to Avoid Collision
        • Minimize Number of Different Layouts
        • Dynamic Level Setting
      • Advanced Menu Options
        • Context Sensitive Menus
        • Hierarchy of Settings
        • Multi-Selections
        • CSV Output
      • Manual Sheet Slicing Cuts
      • Text on Parts
    • Application Settings
      • Cut CAM
        • Layout
          • Nest Settings
          • Sheet
          • Sheet Handling
          • Skeleton Cuts
          • Work Support
        • Laser CAM
          • Sequence
      • Cut Outputs
      • Cut View
  • Bend
    • Basic Steps of Flux Bend
    • Basic Workflow
      • The Main Panel
      • The Workflow Panel
      • Batch processing
      • Modifying the Geometry
      • The Bend Navigator
      • Editing the Bend Solution
        • Editing a Bend
        • Changing the Bending Sequence
        • Editing a Tool Mount
        • Editing a Bend Setup
        • Editing the Back-Gauges
        • Angle Measurement
        • Using a Pre-Bend
        • Editing multiple mounts
        • Adding a Tooling station
      • Recomputing the Bend Solution
      • Generating Bend Outputs
      • Export Bend Report
    • Design of bend parts
      • Min Radius and Flange Length
      • Corner Design
      • Bending Tolerances
      • Selection of Tools
    • Advanced Workflow
      • Preparation of Bend Parts
        • Preparing a 2D drawing
        • Editing a Drawing
        • Add Bending Information as Text to DXF
        • Measuring and changing Outer Dimension
        • Preparing 3D models
        • Preparing an Assembly
        • Component Detection
        • Form Detection
      • Edit Tools
        • Changing Tool Map
        • Change Tool Segmentation
        • Editing Tool-mount Segments
        • Adding a Gap into the Tool
        • Use a Double-V Adapter
        • Tool Priority
        • Creating a Tool
      • Using Bend Deductions
      • Control Visibility
      • Comment Section in Bend Panel
      • Tools/Machine Tonnage Check
    • Settings
      • Application Settings
        • Bend CAM
          • Bend Outputs
          • Bend View
          • Bend Cell
      • Database Settings
        • Materials
        • Machines
        • Bend Tools
        • Bend Deductions
        • Bend grippers
        • Forms/Components
      • Bend Settings
      • Machine Defaults
  • Robotic Bending
    • Overview of Robotic Bending
    • Basic Steps of Robotic Bending
    • Workflow
      • Part Pickup
        • Pickup from a Pallet
        • Pickup from a Dispenser
      • Insertion Strategy
      • Bending Strategy
      • Regripping (RG) Stations
        • Re-Grip Stations
        • Methods of Regripping
        • Adding ReGrip
        • Modify ReGrip Position
        • Remove ReGripping
        • Regrip with a Jaw Gripper
        • Gripper Panel & Suction Panel
      • Extraction Strategy
      • Part Deposit
        • Adapt Part Deposit
        • Adding Parts & Stacks
          • Deposit Panel
          • Add Separator Sheets
          • Lock Part-Rest
          • Repeat Grid Field
          • Deposit Sequence
        • Deposit Pattern Types
      • Waypoints
        • Adapt WayPoints
        • Display Waypoints
        • Simulate Waypoints
        • Modify WayPoints
        • Properties of Waypoints
    • Advanced Topics
      • Cell Configuration
        • Track Setup
        • Gripper Inventory
        • BendCell settings
      • Gripper Configuration
        • Create/ Edit a Gripper
        • Import Gripper from DXF
    • Troubleshooting Bend Errors
      • Part Pickup Error
      • Collisions with Machine
      • Overtravel of Axis
      • Modifications of Waypoints
      • Collisions while Insertion and Extraction
  • Fold
    • Switching to Fold CAM
    • The Fold View
    • Editing Operations
      • Editing a Bend-Op
      • Editing a Side/Section
      • Changing the Sequence
      • Editing the Blank-holders
      • Editing the Gauging
      • Editing the Blades
      • Editing the Loading
      • Editing the Unloading
    • Tool Management
    • Fold CAM Summary
  • Generic Application Settings
    • Drawing
      • Layers
      • Dimensions
      • View
    • Environment
    • Import/Export
  • Flux Reports
    • Report Designer
    • Fields, Pictures and Tables
    • Bands (sub-reports)
    • Labels, Bitmaps and Shapes
  • Appendix
    • Supported 3D Formats
    • Separator Sheet DXF
Bend
/
Basic Workflow
/
The Bend Navigator

The Bend Navigator

When you are in the bending view, the Bend Navigator panel appears along the top edge of the Flux window. This navigator provides a quick way to navigate through various bend operations, and also an instant view into various status-checks for every bend. It provides controls to view or stop the folding simulation. Here is an example of how the bend navigator looks:

Navigator 1

The navigator displays different colors for bends that have some warnings or errors. The current bend is displayed with an outlined box, and the small dots[1] that appear in each of the boxes indicate the tool station in which the bend is processed.

Simulation Controls

When you move the mouse near the fold navigator, simulation controls appear.

Navigator 2
  • The slider can be used to move the current bend through various phases of the bending operation (insert part for bending, retract back-gauges move punch to pinch point, press with beam to bending position, etc). As the slider is moved, the tool-tip displays the current phase of bending, and various parts of the machine move in the simulation. If there are any collisions, those parts are colored red to clearly highlight the collision.

  • The play controls near the left can be used to start the simulation, stop it, or rewind to the beginning.

You can also press the Spacebar to start or stop playing the fold simulation.
  • The downward facing chevrons near the middle can be used to expand the fold navigator, displaying more detailed information about the errors and warnings for various bends.

you can also press the Z key to expand/collapse the fold navigator display.

Bend Navigator: Expanded View

When you open the bend navigator by clicking the open button, or by pressing the Z key, this is how it looks:

Navigator 3

For each bend, the navigator now displays a several rows of status icons. Each colored icon represents an error or a warning. Moving the mouse over the colored cell displays some more information about what the error or warning is (as you can see in the picture above).

Clicking on an cell that displays an error positions the simulation so that the error is immediately obvious. For example, clicking on a cell that displays a punch-crash error moves the simulation to the stage of the simulation where the punch crashes with the workpiece.

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Figure 1. Bend Navigator
Table 1. Bend Tooling
Description Meaning

Punch

Information about the upper tool used for the current bend.

Die

Information about the lower tool used for the current bend.

Gauges

The status of the back gauge positioning.

Machine

The status of the beam is displayed here.

ACB

ACB information is displayed here.

Part

Messages and directives on parts handling are displayed here.

Table 2. Bend Row Icons
Icon Description

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Coining

newitem257

Double-sheet bending

newitem258

Hemming

newitem259

Post bend

newitem260

Pre-bending

newitem261

Skip bend

newitem262

Z bend

The Punch Row

The Punch row of the bend navigator displays information about the punch used for this bend, and shows if there are any punch-related warnings or errors. These are the icons that you might see in the Punch row:

Icon

Meaning

correct

No error, valid punch used

explosion

Error: Punch collides with the part during bending

explosion3

Error: Punch collides with the Die during bending

missing

Error: Punch missing - no punch is assigned for this bend

tool short

Error: Punch height is too short to complete the bend (a taller punch must be used, or an adapter added)

exclaim

Error: An incorrect punch process is used (for example, a non-coining punch is used for a coining operation, or a standard punch is used for a Z-bending operation)

overload

Error: Punch is overloaded beyond its rated tonnage (tooltip shows the actual load)

span short

Error: Punch span is too short (the part overhangs beyond the end of the punch)

sensor edge

Warning: An ACB sensor is mounted at the end of the punch station

sensor close

Warning: ACB sensor disks are mounted too close to each other.

skipped bend

This bend has been skipped (no processing for this bend)

The Die Row

The Die row of the bend navigator displays information about the die used for this bend, and shows if there are any die-related warnings or errors. These are the icons you might see in the Die row:

Icon

Meaning

correct

No error, valid die used

explosion

Error: Die collides with part during bending

explosion3

Error: Die collides with Punch during bending

missing

Error: Die missing - no die assigned for this bend

exclaim

Error: An incorrect die process is used (for example, a standard V die is used to process a Z-bend)

overload

Error: Die is overloaded beyond its rated tonnage (the tooltip shows the actual tonnage)

span short

Error: Die span is too short (the part overhangs beyond the end of the die)

flange narrow

Warning: The flange might be too narrow for this die; the bending may not be accurate

skipped bend

This bend has been skipped

The Gauges Row

The Gauges row of the bend navigator displays information about the back-gauges used to reference the part during bending, and also any gauge-related warnings or errors.

Icon

Meaning

correct

No error, valid die used

explosion

Error: The back-gauges collide with the part

explosion3

Error: The back-gauges collide with the punch or the die

missing

Error: Back-gauges not assigned for this bend

overtravel

Error: Back-gauge position exceeds the travel limits of the gauge

one finger

Warning: Only one back-gauge used; gauging may not be stable

so so

Warning: Back-gauge position well above or below die-line; gauging may not be stable

skipped bend

This bend has been skipped

The Beam Row

The Beam row of the bend navigator displays errors related to the beam (press-ram).

Icon

Meaning

correct

No problems related to the beam

explosion

Error: Part collides with the press beam during bending

explosion4

Error: Part collides with the bend-guard (safety system) during bending

overload

Error: Machine’s rated tonnage exceeded while processing this bend

skipped bend

This bend has been skipped

The Die-Bed Row

The Die-Bed row of the bend navigator displays errors related to the die-bed and table.

Icon

Meaning

correct

No problems related to the die-bed

explosion

Error: Part collides with the die-bed or machine table during bending

skipped bend

This bend has been skipped

The ACB Row

The ACB row of the bend navigator displays warnings and errors related to the angle measurement system.

Icon

Meaning

acb ok

ACB Identify method used for this bend

acb corrected

ACB Corrected method used for this bend (user-specified spring-back correction)

acb learned

ACB Learned method used for this bend (beam bending stroke copied from earlier reference bend)

missing

ACB is not used for this bend

acb range

Warning: No ACB disks are engaged with the part

acb hole

Error: ACB sensor disks falls into a hole

acb flange

Warning: Flange is too narrow for ACB measurement

acb reference

Error: Incorrect bend is picked as the reference bend for ACB

skipped bend

This bend has been skipped

The Handling Row

The Handling row of the bend navigator displays information about part-handling. This includes information on how the part should be rotated or flipped between bends, and also warnings for situations where the part center-of-gravity falls behind the bending axis (part tip-back warning).

Icon

Meaning

correct

No part handling issues; part does not have to be rotated or flipped

incorrect

Error: An invalid bend sequence is used; the segments of this bend are not collinear and this bend cannot be processed at this position in the sequence.

explosion

Warning: Part flanges collide during over-bending; angle accuracy may be compromised

less than

Warning: Part center-of-gravity lies behind the bend line (part tipping backwards)

rotate l

Part has to be rotated left for the next bend

rotate r

Part has to be rotated right for the next bend

rotate 180

Part has to be rotated 180° for the next bend

flip vertical

Part has to be flipped upside down for the next bend

skipped bend

This bend has been skipped

As you make changes to the punch, die, sequence, or gauge configurations, the bend navigator is immediately updated with the new status. This immediate feedback makes it easy to experiment with different configurations without having to issue a recompute command each time.


1. These dots are displayed only if the part has more than one station

Contents

  • Simulation Controls
  • Bend Navigator: Expanded View
  • The Punch Row
  • The Die Row
  • The Gauges Row
  • The Beam Row
  • The Die-Bed Row
  • The ACB Row
  • The Handling Row
Modifying the Geometry Editing the Bend Solution

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