AutoFormplus R7 Sheet Metal Simulation Tool Release Improves Workflow

Addition of cooling channel curves and diameters improves simulation accuracy.

AutoFormplus R7 cooling channel simulations help engineers build tool designs and assess the temperature of the tool and sheet metal when hot forming a part. (Image courtesy of AutoForm.)

AutoFormplus R7 cooling channel simulations help engineers build tool designs and assess the temperature of the tool and sheet metal when hot forming a part. (Image courtesy of AutoForm.)

Engineers in the sheet metal forming industry will be interested to hear that AutoForm Engineering has released a new version of its process simulations software—AutoFormplus R7.

This latest release focuses on improving the workflow to set up and validate metal forming processes. This includes the simulation of progressive dies and hot forming.

One of the new features is the ability to take cooling channels into account when simulating hot forming. The cooling process is modeled within the software using 3D curves, diameter sizing and channel layouts.

AutoFormplusrelease offers workflow improvements to help engineers plan and simulate progressive dies for springback and other assessments. (Image courtesy of AutoForm.)

AutoFormplusrelease offers workflow improvements to help engineers plan and simulate progressive dies for springback and other assessments. (Image courtesy of AutoForm.)

Each of these parameters is used to model the temperature distribution on the tool surface. If hot spots are discovered, the parameters and channel layouts can be changed early in the design cycle when it is cheaper and easier to make these modifications.

AutoFormplus R7 also includes new functionality to help engineers perform various studies along the development cycle for progressive dies. This includes simulating and designing progressive dies for springback assessments, die face generation and final process validation.

The new release supports engineers working on progressive dies by helping to:

  • Import CAD geometry for final validation,
  • Import parts for initial tool planning and
  • Import parts to design and simulate the full process.

The latest release also gives engineers the ability to interface with AutoForm-Sigmaplus, as the software is now integrated within ProcessExplorerplus. This will give engineers access to Sigma’s pre- and post-processing tools for systematic process improvement and robustness studies. This will also help ensure that engineers’ final manufacturing tool designs are efficient and work the first time.”

To learn more about AutoForm’s release, you can visit one of its global product events.

To learn more about other simulation tools for metal forming and stamping, read “Simulate Stamp, Welding and Product Assembly with ESI’s SYSWELD.”

Written by

Shawn Wasserman

For over 10 years, Shawn Wasserman has informed, inspired and engaged the engineering community through online content. As a senior writer at WTWH media, he produces branded content to help engineers streamline their operations via new tools, technologies and software. While a senior editor at Engineering.com, Shawn wrote stories about CAE, simulation, PLM, CAD, IoT, AI and more. During his time as the blog manager at Ansys, Shawn produced content featuring stories, tips, tricks and interesting use cases for CAE technologies. Shawn holds a master’s degree in Bioengineering from the University of Guelph and an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Waterloo.