SPI WiCAM Interface Overview

Sheet metal designers know that parts cannot be bent with just an arbitrary small inner radius. The ma­terial and the combination of „upper and lower tool“ selection determine the smallest possible radius.  Thus, exact compensating factors have to be considered when calculating the elongated length. This also assumes a functional, comprehensive and precise flow of information between the various departments involved.

Many companies still generate NC-programs at the bending machine. This causes unnecessary machine down time that could otherwise be utilized producing additional parts. „Offline“ pre­paration of NC code in the planning department and the di­gi­tal trans­fer of this information to the machine allow this „value-added“ part production to take place. With the SPI WiCAM Interface, an­ot­her tool for the „Sheet Metal Pro­cess Chain“ is available, supporting a close cooperation between the de­sign, planning and production de­part­ments.

Designing sheet metal parts using the true process information and conditions of the prescribed machines and tools guarantees absolute precision. This eliminates the possibility of faulty input of technology data.
 

The SPI WiCAM Interface allows the direct transfer and export of the unfolding geometry from SPI SheetMetalWorks to an XML-file, which can be used by the PN4000 software of WiCAM.  When using this interface SPI SheetMetalWorks provides the possibility to directly use the calculated data from the unfolding for CAM-programming with PN4000 due to the fact that geometric and specific manufacturing data are available at the push of a button. 

To create such an XML-file, use the command "Create unfolding" and select the target "WiCAM-file". That's it.

The XML file contains

 

unfolding geomety

information about bendings and bendinglines (angle, radius, shortening and position)

engraving

tool information (ident number, postion, adjustment and side) for included formings

dimensions -  (esp. length and angel)

user defined attributes