FOCUS ON CAD / CAM
A STREAMLINED FLOW
Löhmann Automotive Systems GmbH uses the SOLIDWORKS CAD system with the Logopress ® dedicated progressive die add-in for quotations , process engineering and die designs of stamped parts .
With Logopress , the flattening prediction of complex parts can be carried out relatively quickly . The forming stages for the strip layout are already defined . ( Image source : Logopress ).
“ Using one system for all die designs saves a German automotive manufacturer time and money .”
“ Many of our customers are manufacturers of parts and are faced with challenging geometries ,” explained Marc Löhmann , managing director of LAS Löhmann Automotive Systems in Iserlohn , Germany .
“ These customers appreciate our manufacturing expertise and competence in die design . The combination of SOLIDWORKS ® and Logopress ® DieDesign allows us , with reasonable effort , to provide a draft of the strip layout and to offer competent consulting from the first meeting with the customer . We save time with SOLIDWORKS ® and Logopress ®, especially with orders for stamped parts but also for the die design ,” he added .
Logopress SAS , based in Pouilley les Vignes ( near Besançon , France ), has been developing and distributing die design software for the tool & die industry , as well as flattening and blank prediction software , for 30 years . The company has been part of the AutoForm Group since the end of 2018 .
Logopress software is now used in more than 30 countries worldwide and has been integrated into SOLIDWORKS as a Gold certified add-in since 2004 . The main product is Logopress DieDesign , software tailored to progressive dies , which includes the modules
Logopress ® DieDesign , Logopress ® StripLayout and Logopress ® Flatten . Recently , Logopress ® ProgSim was introduced to simulate part thinning , thickening , wrinkling , splitting and springback during strip layout creation .
Logopress add-in
The key to a reliable quotation for stamped parts is the flattening prediction and strip layout .
“ It would take hours to produce a strip layout without software like Logopress . No one would do that for an initial quotation ,” explained Marc Löhmann .
It is much faster using Logopress . From the 3D STEP file of the part , Logopress ® Flatten quickly determines the flat shape of the complex part geometries . The first forming stages are defined with Logopress ® Flatten and then expanded in Logopress ® StripLayout to develop strip layout , which determines where and how parts will be cut , stamped and bent .
“ When designing the strip layout , Logopress enables you to quickly put together the necessary cutting , stamping and bending punches . We can then immediately inform the customer where notches or overcuts are required or where other problems could arise ,” Marc Löhmann pointed out . “ This can be communicated to the customer and any changes that are necessary for production can be taken into account in advance .”
This means that the most important information for the quotation is available .
“ You know how much material is needed ,
Marc Löhmann , Managing Director , LAS Löhmann Automotive Systems ( source : LAS ).
Some challenging stamped parts that LAS Löhmann Automotive Systems GmbH manufactures for the automotive and electronics industries ( source : LAS ).
50 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR February 2022