Moulding Tools (3-D SM)

Sheet Metal > Further Tools > Mould

HiCAD Sheet Metal has a library of moulding tools which you can use to shape your Sheet Metal part. To expand the library you can use

2-D parts that could be parameterized with the 2-D HCM (file format: .DCF) or
planar sketches that can be parameterized with the Sketch HCM (file format: .KRA).

First, activate the sheet which you want to be processed, followed by the function.

Once you have selected the function, the Setting dialogue window appears.

Activate the relevant checkboxes and choose OK to exit the Settings.
Depending on the previous setting, insert a processing plane.

The selection window with the moulding tools appears. The selection is displayed as a tree structure, as is standard in Windows.

The moulding will be entered into the Feature log and can be changed with a double-click on the feature "Beading...".

Select a tool type and size.
Choose OK to confirm your entries.

You can now insert the tool individually or compile a group via the Grid menu that appears.

Select the Fitting grid and, if applicable, set the required parameters.
Use the point options to position the moulding.

You can now fit the moulding a second time. Alternatively, you can use the right mouse button to activate a context menu before defining the new fitting position. The functions of this menu enable you, for example, to change the fitting direction. Use the middle mouse button to end the function.

(1) Swaging hump
(2) Centring boss
(3) Beading
(4) Extruded thread
(5) Vents

(6) Processing plane

Moulding tools in sheet developments

Moulding tools are 3-D parts. In sheet development they are displayed in Hidden Line representation. To display them as 2-D symbols in sheet developments you need to create a parameterised 2-D HCM variant of the tool and enter it in the Catalogue Editor.

Proceed as follows:

Create the required 2-D part.

The geometry must be created in such a way that the later insertion point will be located in the origin of the 2-D coordinate system.

Parameterise the part with the 2-D HCM.
Save the HCM model to any sub-directory of KATALOGE\BLECHWERKZEUGE\FORMWERKZEUGE\... .
Start the Catalogue Editor and open the Sheet tools > Moulding tools catalogue.
Select the corresponding data record and add the alphanumerical columns TOPSYMBOL and BOTTOMSYMBOL.
Enter the path and the name (relative to "FORMWERKZEUGE") of the corresponding 2-D HCM variants in the columns.
Save the table.
Open the ABWPAR.DAT file in the SYS directory and specify the following setting:
"Replace forming tools in development by symbols if possible? (1 yes, 0 = no)"
1

The symbol entered in the Catalogue Editor will now be displayed in the sheet development.

Please note:

The presetting of the line colour for the 2-D sheet development of moulding tools can be found in the ABWCOL.DAT file. After a change of the presetting, HiCAD must be restarted for the changes to take effect.

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# Farbe 12: Umformkanten abcform (# Colour 12: Forming edges abcform)

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