Die Making

The modular CAD/CAM/

CAE system for die design
& manufacture
 The modular CAD/CAM/CAE system for
die design & manufacture

Die Making
VISI Progress (Unfolding & strip design)
VISI Progress (Tool design)
VISI Blank (Blank development)
VISI Blank (Flange unfolding)

Construction
VISI 2D CAD
VISI 3D Surface Modelling
VISI 3D Solid Modelling
Standard interfaces include:
STEP
IGES
VDA
Parasolid
DWG, DXF
Solid Works
Solid Edge
Inventor
VISI Advanced Modelling

Interfaces
Catia read
Catia write
NX read
PTC read
JT Open read & write
SAT read & write
The end-to-end solution for the design 3D tool construction. This industry specific
and manufacture of progressive & technology makes VISI the only end-to-end
stamping dies. VISI supports all parts of the CAD/CAM solution unique to the toolmaking
tool making process, from model analysis and industry.
unfolding, blank development, strip design and

Mould Making
VISI Flow
VISI Analysis
VISI Electrode
VISI Mould

Additional Modules
VISI PDM
VISI Viewer

NC Programming
Milling & Drilling:
VISI Machining 2.5-Axis
VISI Machining 3-Axis
VISI Machining 5-Axis
VISI Compass Technology
Erosion:
VISI PEPS-Wire (Wire EDM)
VISI EDM (Sink Erosion)
 VISI MODELLING
2D and 3D CAD

VISI Modelling provides a robust and powerful solid and

surface modelling platform based around the industry
®
standard Parasolid kernel. Combined with Vero’s
surface technology, model analysis and 2D design, VISI
Modelling offers complete flexibility to construct, edit
or repair the most complex 3D data.

2D Construction
Extensive construction techniques
All geometries such as points, lines, circles, splines,
profiles
3D Surface Modelling
Trimming, moving, scaling, rotating and mirroring of
Hybrid solid and surface modelling kernel
elements
Closure of surface set to solid model
Form and position tolerances, surface specifications
Comprehensive repair functions
Full dimensioning / measuring functions
Creation of complex surface geometry
Multiple surface types such as ruled, sweep, draft,
3D Solid Modelling drape, lofted, pipe, drive & shape, capping, fillet,
Dynamic Direct Part thickness analysis parting plane, and tangential.
Modelling Model kinematics
Simple generation of Exploded view CAD Interfaces
solids Drawing creation For the import and export of CAD data, the following
Feature manager Bill of materials interfaces are available:

STEP DWG, DXF Optional:

IGES STL Catia JT Open

Automatic 2D view creation from 3D model VDA-FS Solid Works NX SAT

PARASOLID Solid Edge PTC
Inventor

Advanced Modelling
Advanced modelling is a set of tools that enable
the existing model topology to be changed without
compromising model integrity or curvature consistency.
For example, it can be the easiest way to introduce
spring-back compensation into the press tool.

3D CAD model of a typical progressive die component Imported native CAD model from a 3rd party design system
 VISI PROGRESS FLANGE
Part Processing & Strip Layout Complex Bend Development

VISI Progress provides industry focussed technology Flange unfolding is the ideal tool to complement the
for the design of progressive dies and press tools - standard unfolding capabilities of VISI Progress. Based
from model analysis and quoting, part unfolding and on FEM technology, this utility allows the creation
blank development through to 3D die design and of intermediary unfolding stages for complex parts
manufacture. Deep drawing, linear and non-linear via tangent, constant length or user-defined binder
unfolding and flange development are all managed surfaces.
with a hybrid algorithm based on a combination of
Linear and non-linear flange unfolding
analytic and FEM solvers.
Creation of construction geometry such as trimming
 Calculation of the neutral fibre with fixed or variable curves, linear binder segments and isoparametric
values or from extensive material databases curves for flange curve building
Processing of constant or variable bend radii Graphical representation of material thinning
Automatic skin extraction from solid model Animation of the forming action
Feature management for ribs, bosses, and coining Edge mapping to maintain
Automatic or step-by-step unfolding feature definitions
Spring-back compensation

Starting with a developed blank, it is easy to design

a 3D strip layout. Automatic blank alignment, rotation
and optimisation help plan a more efficient strip. Punch
design becomes more effective with the use of the
2D strip plan, which also provides a familiar working
environment for designers used to working in 2D.

Automatic creation of the strip layout

Part nesting and multiple layout variations for strip
design optimisation Drag-and-drop positioning of punch and bend locations

Automatic recognition of cutting punch contours

Easy definition of bending stages via drag-and-drop
Percentage of material usage, bending & shearing
stress calculations
Simulation of entire strip with all stamp and bending
operations
Dedicated application for cylindrical drawing
Strip report documentation as HTML, TXT or CSV

Step-by-step part unfolding 3D strip layout with punching & bending operations
VISI PROGRESS
Tool assembly with standard component libraries

Tool Design

The 3D strip is the basis of the tool design. Plate sizes will
automatically adapt to the strip length, and flexible CAD
tools along with industry standard component catalogues
ensure that the tool layout is quick and efficient. Each
assembly can be stored as a tooling template, or
alternatively a template can be chosen from a list of
common tool standards. The tool assembly will typically
include all the critical data required for correct operation of B.O.M. information captured during the design phase
the press tool, including press stroke, strip stroke, punch
height and tool stroke information.

Standard Catalogue Components

Screws, dowels, grubs Punches
Pillars & bushes Springs
Punches Element assemblies

3D Tool Design
Standard 3D tool designs
Template driven user-defined tool designs
Parametric user elements
Template driven 3D tool design
Punch creation with automatic slug clearance holes
for all plates of the tool assembly
Support for die plate inserts
Tool cavities with corner relief pockets
Automatic view creation, fixed and stepped section
views, hole charts, and B.O.M
Kinematic study of tooling action with physical
properties and collision checking
Automatic allocation of CAM attributes for feature
processing (Compass technology)

Picture courtesy of KLEINER GmbH, Pforzheim

 VISI BLANK
Rapid Blank Development

Based on FEM technology, VISI Blank is a solution for

the development of 2D blank shapes from complex
3D models. VISI Blank is designed for estimators,
engineers, sheet metal product designers and tool and
die makers to optimise the development of sheet metal
components and provide valuable analysis of material
behaviour during the forming process.

Virtually any 3D form can be flattened into a developed

blank to ensure that the optimum amount of stock
material is used for production thus reducing
supplementary manufacturing or finishing operations.
Generally the form can be produced within a few
minutes and has a proven accuracy of being within 1% Model Preparation & Calculation
of the finished component. Mid-plane mesh generation from surface or solid
model
Reduction of development time & material costs
Automatic hole filling
Avoidance of trial tooling during the prove-out stage
Auto-tipping to define the best stamping direction
High degree of accuracy
Develop blank onto binder surface or Z-level strip
plane
Edge constraints to lock material deformation along
peripheral edges
Material database – populated by common materials

Display Results
Material weight, blank area/perimeter, min/max
thinning %, and flange stress
Colour coded graphical analysis of material thinning
and gathering
Animation of the forming action
Imprinting of curve lines to maintain trim features
HTML report for project documentation

Automatic project documentation

Graphical analysis of material thinning and gathering

VISI VERO SOFTWARE
Software for improved We speak your
efficiency language
VISI is acknowledged as the leading CAD/CAM Vero Software is a world leader in CAD/CAM
software solution for the Mould & Die industries. software with a proven track record of reliable
product delivery. Vero develops and distributes
VISI offers a unique combination of fully integrated
software for aiding the design and manufacturing
wireframe, surface and solid modelling technology,
processes, providing solutions for the tooling,
comprehensive 2D, 3D and 5-axis machining strategies
production engineering, sheet metal, metal
with dedicated high speed routines.
fabrication, stone and woodworking industries.
Industry specific applications for plastic injection tool Despite the diversity of application, these solutions
design including material flow analysis and progressive have one thing in common: they all address the
die design with step-by-step unfolding provide the rising challenges of achieving manufacturing
toolmaker with unsurpassed levels of productivity. efficiencies and bring huge value to the operations
With its comprehensive range of CAD interfaces, VISI where they are deployed.
eliminates the links between varying software suppliers The company has direct offices in the UK,
and the solid-to-surface or CAD-to-CAM geometry Germany, Italy, France, Japan, USA, Netherlands,
conversions required by traditional systems. China, Korea, Spain and India supplying products
Industry focussed technology to more than 45 countries through its wholly
Efficient and practical solutions owned subsidiaries and global reseller network.
Single environment for design & manufacture

We are very happy with VISI, as the Part of Hexagon

software works in the same way as a Vero Software is part of Hexagon, a leading global
toolmaker thinks. That makes VISI easy provider of design, measurement and visualisation
to learn and quick to integrate.“ technologies that enable customers to design,
Manfred Deifel, head of toolmaking at measure and position objects, and process and
Rafi GmbH & Co. KG present data.

For more information, please do not hesitate to get in touch

Vero Software
Hadley House, Bayshill Road, Cheltenham,
Gloucestershire, GL50 3AW, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1189 226699
Email: [email protected]
www.visicadcam.com