Most of the sheet metal parts are made in successive and well defined press brake operations.

Bending sequences for simple parts are usually quickly created and  a rough collision check between the metal part and toolings can be sufficient. In this case Amada's return bend graphs are the adequate preparations to clarify the collision issue.

But, for complicated bending geometries the manufacturer needs an exact simulation process which carries out a number of realtime checks including precise collision checks. These manufacturers need a computer with appropriate software to produce CNC programs and to visualize the press brake operation before it happens. They need it not only to avoid expensive mistakes caused by collision, but also to control the factory.

With SheetWorks, Amada has developed a SolidWorks integrated application for accurate and fast sheet metal working. This software automatically divides complex sheet metal parts into individual components and subsequently unfolds them. SheetWorks permits the import of a large number of different 3D file formats.

SheetWorks Features

• Disassemble a single sheet metal solid model into two or more sheet metal parts
• Assign forming and special tools to a sheet metal part in 3D CAD
• Assign bend dedustions and tools to a sheet metal part in 3D CAD
• Output unfold drawings as BMF files for use by BendCAD/CAM software and Amada's NT press brakes
• Import a wide variety of 3D and 2D CAD files including IGES, Parasolid, STEP ACIS (.sat) Pro/E (.prt, .asm), DXF and DWG files
• Export forming features and bendline information to flat layouts in other CAD/CAM software
• Add-in to SolidWorks 3D CAD software