FOCUS ON CAD / CAM
The Logopress ® DIE DEBUGGER simulates the movements of the die and the strip and detects interferences already in the design set-up . ( Source : Logopress ).
For this test , Löhmann specifies the strokes ( press , strip , stripper ) in the module and runs an automatic simulation , which he can also fast-forward and rewind for a more detailed view . The system issues collision warnings , marks the collision points and shows , among other things , how much of the volume is colliding .
“ Sometimes it ’ s just an auxiliary tool that you forgot to hide but sometimes real design changes are required ,” Löhmann pointed out . That is why he goes through all the collision warnings with a high level of concentration , corrects them and then runs the simulations again . The time required for a single animation is a few minutes .
“ Logopress has greatly expanded die animation in recent years ,” Löhmann summed up . “ With the current version , very complex motions can be simulated . The system detects most and , more importantly , major collisions in advance .”
All drawings and BOM can be generated automatically in Logopress from the 3D data of the die design . Bidirectional modifications in the BOM are directly tracked in the drawing and vice versa . In addition , part specifications and even drilling charts can be generated automatically .
All in all , it is a straightforward process , as Löhmann knows since he has his dies built externally .
“ We only give our suppliers the CAD data , the drawings and the technical data in a neutral format ,” he told ISMR .
Expansion to Bihler dies
“ We also run Logopress for dies used on Bihler ’ s automatic punching and bending machines . You have to fiddle with it a bit , but it works ,” Löhmann highlighted , as another special feature . With the kinematics module for die simulation , it is possible to animate any machine or die even if it was not designed with Logopress .
“ We use Bihler ’ s neutral data in SOLIDWORKS and Logopress to assemble our components . We even built our die template for the progressive die in the Bihler machine ,” reported Marc Löhmann . “ When designing the Bihler dies themselves , we then use the Logopress functions . Although we are not able to put together the Bihler die set as we can in ‘ Bihler-CAD ’, we can do it directly in SOLIDWORKS . We get on well with that and it means that we don ’ t have to work with two systems . That ’ s a major advantage .”
LAS Löhmann Automotive Systems GmbH switched to SOLIDWORKS and the Logopress add-in years ago with the support of the service provider , Coffee .
“ We use the system intensively ,” emphasised Löhmann . “ Parts lists , die templates , die animation – the whole package .”
The Logopress ® ProgSim forming simulation , which is based on AutoForm ’ s solver , is already in his investment plan . n
About LAS
LAS Löhmann Automotive Systems GmbH in Iserlohn , Germany , was founded in 1996 . It has been supplying companies in the automotive and electrical industries with challenging stamped and bent parts ( up to 150mm x 150mm in size ) for more than 30 years . Since the end of 2020 , Marc Löhmann has been the company ’ s second-generation managing director .
The company operates with a range of modern machinery including automatic stamping machines with press forces of up to 1300kN , Bihler punching and bending machines , and welding systems . It also offers a complete range of services from consulting to prototype construction and series production .
With a workforce of 18 staff members , LAS Löhmann Automotive Systems GmbH generates annual sales of around three million euros . Through the acquisition of Menke GmbH , which specialises in wire bending parts , LAS has positioned itself more broadly since the end of 2020 .
It offers its customers CAD support in the design and optimisation of parts ; prototype manufacture for design validation ; the design and manufacture of progressive tools and Bihler tools as well as small batch delivery .
52 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR February 2022