Fold
A sheet metal flat can be folded to its final shape using a panel-bender. The Fold CAM[1] module of Flux is used to program panel benders. Here are some of the things this module can do.
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Compute a feasible and optimal folding sequence.
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Compose blank-holders suitable for processing the part.
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Engage or disengage ENW tools as necessary for appropriate bends.
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Engage or disengage ZBW blades as necessary where needed.
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Compute gauging locations for centering the part in the machine.
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Compute how the part is to be gripped by the part manipulators (the type of manipulator, the gripping surface etc).
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For automated benders like the TruBendCenter™ 7030 or 7020, compute optimized rotor positions, and also automatically calculate 2-stage or 3-stage rotations where needed.
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Generate NC code that can be transmitted to a panel-bender for processing.
Flux incorporates algorithms and heuristics to compute these automatically where possible, and in most cases, you will not really need to intervene in this process. However, there is also a set of tools and operations to modify the sequence, change the tooling and modify other settings as needed.