Version: 1.2

Last Update: July 2014

RoboWave

pressbrake

Product Description

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I. TECHNICAL FUNCTIONALITY 8

1 PIECE 8

2. BEND TYPES 8

3. THE PRESS-BRAKE TOOLS 8

4. BACK GAUGES AXES CONFIGURATIONS 10

4. AUTOMATIC BENDING: THE AUTOMATIC BENDING PROCESS 10

6. ASSISTED PROGRAMMING: AUTOMATIC, SEMI-AUTOMATIC, MANUAL 12

II. PRODUCT STRUCTURE AND SOFTWARE ENVIRONMENTS 14

1 PRESS-BRAKE AND WORKING CELL 15

2. PROGRAMMING AND SIMULATION 16

3. POST PROCESSING 17

4. INTEGRATION WITH EXTERNAL SOFTWARE 17

III. PRODUCT CONFIGURATION 18

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Traditional programming software allow to program machines and working

process, using learning methods that are long and complex and causing

production stops.

Otherwise, an intelligent off-line programming is able to automatically

generate the optimized production sequence, without stopping the plant

and without asking for a highly skilled operator.

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RoboWave pressbrake is the complete solution, dedicated the bending process, allowing

to offline program a wide variety of press-brake at the office without stopping the

production plant: automatic bending sequence definition, tools set-up and gauges

positioning, are performed in a rapid and reliable way with a powerful and full 3D

simulation of the bending process.

RoboWave pressbrake is part of the software solutions offer, developed on the powerful

RoboWave platform. RoboWave is a simulation tool, standard, open and customizable,

suitable for robotics and CAD/CAM applications.

RoboWave born from a great experience in CAD/CAM applications, typical of metal

sheet bending, successfully solving problems as automatic bending sequence

generation, automatic tools set-up and gauges positioning.

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RoboWave pressbrake is perfectly customizable to the machine and allows defining all

parameters of the process as the bending sequence, the tooling (including tool type,

tool selection and placement), the back-gauge position, etc. to generate the press

brake programs.

The complete bending process is defined through the complete 3D simulation of the

press brake cycle, verifying step by step the correctness of the part program in terms of

movements, collisions and reachability.

Moreover, thanks to its powerful 3D engine and software solutions, RoboWave

pressbrake software combines a high level of automation with the ability to interactively

change every programming parameter, providing a tool intuitive and easy to use for a

flexible and ultimate control.

The final result is the press-brake part program generation, that translated by post-

processors, integrated but application-independent, could be transmitted to control-

units. All data generated by the software can be collected in customized and detailed

production reports.

RoboWave pressbrake allows to program safely complete production decreasing

dramatically the overall production cycle time.

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A software for the future

The programming software RoboWave pressbrake handles not only the press-brake

machine or parts of them but is able to take into account the environment where the

machine itself is placed.

The software considers a cell rather than a "machine". The "cell" is made of the press-

brake and of other elements defining dimensions and encumbrance, but in particular

could be enriched with robots and other automation equipment.

This feature makes unique the product RoboWave pressbrake and perfectly expandable

and integrated with automation and robotics.

RoboWave pressbrake product is part of the family RoboWave and therefore is fully

compatible with RoboWave bending, the product dedicated to the automatic

programming of robotics bending cells.

Machines, tools and programs carried out with RoboWave pressbrake may be used

without modification in the robotic software, using the same procedures and the same

way of operation.

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Why choose RoboWave pressbrake

RoboWave pressbrake is a CAM product devoted to bending processes programming but

it has the following unique benefits:

Programming time: reduced time from loading the drawing to the generation

of the program for the machine

Assisted programming: an innovative method of semi-automatic

programming. In addition to programming fully automatic or fully manual, the

product provides for the assisted programming where the user chooses what to

do manually and the system calculates the other operations automatically

Goodness of automatic solution: because at the same time takes account of

the bending sequence, tools and optimization of tool stations. This streamlines

the procedures and allows to obtain a correct program in less time

Always a solution: in case of a solution is not possible (for collision or other

matter) the software always suggests the best solution achieved. This help the

user in obtaining a right solution in less time for complex context

Integration with robots: the product is naturally extensible to program also a

robot. The programs made for the press-brake can be used at a later date for

the automatic programming of the robot with the same software environment

and the same operating procedures

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I. TECHNICAL FUNCTIONALITY

1 PIECE (import and correction)

Flat pattern import from colored DXF, CyCAD, GEO or other format

Visualization/Modification of bending data

Bending parameters management (K-value, metal sheet elongation, internal

radius)

Realistic 3D representation of facets and fillets

2. BEND TYPES

Air-bend

Coining

V-bend

Hemming

Step bend

Single bends and multi-bends

Different bending phases

3. THE PRESS-BRAKE TOOLS

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The product provides for the use of tools of different manufacturers. Through special

environments, you can import the tool data-base or build profiles using the 2D CAD

functionalities.

The tools can be mounted in the following configurations:

front/rear or

UP/DOWN.

The product provides the management of all physical and geometrical parameters of the

tools, the definition of the database of available sections for each tool, and management

of special tools for hemming (both die and punch) and much more.

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4. BACK GAUGES AXES CONFIGURATIONS

The software is able to define the best position of back-gauges for the most common

axes configurations:

common X and common R:

common X and common R with relative X;

common R

free.

4. AUTOMATIC BENDING: The automatic bending process

RoboWave pressbrake proposes an automatic solution for the bending process, but any

step could be changed manually by the operator. In particular, the software proposes the

automatic solution for the following:

Bending sequence

Bend tooling and their positioning

Back Gauge positioning

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The main functionality are:

AUTO-SEQ&AUTO-TOOL: Automatic Bending Sequence And Automatic Tool Set-Up

AUTO-GAUGE: Automatic Gauging Positioning

AUTO-SEQ and AUTO-TOOL, cooperating together, supply the solution to optimization

of bending sequence and press brake tool set-up.

AUTO-SEQ evaluates a preliminary bending sequence on configurable parameters and

bending rules.

AUTO-TOOL chooses the most appropriate tool profiles, sets the tool stations,

considering collisions, the available tool libraries and the thickness of the metal and the

radiuses of the programmed bends.

If necessary, AUTO-SEQ rearranges the bending sequence, according to move

optimization and on the AUTO-TOOL results.

Each operation performed by the software could be modified or customized in manual

way. For example, you can manually define the bending sequence and to calculate the

tooling automatically, or you may require a fixed tooling and then assess the appropriate

bending sequence. In this way, the software ensures optimized use of the stations,

reducing the need for tool changes or mount many stations.

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AUTO-GAUGE performs the automatic solution for back-gauges position.

Starting from AUTO-SEQ & AUTO-TOOL results, AUTO-GAUGE identifies the best back-

gauge position, considering 3D piece geometry and available fingers, which could be

positioned in front of or on the corner. The software is able to define the best position of

back-gauges for the most common axes configurations.

Anyway, the operator could move manually a back-gauge finger next to the piece and

requires the position evaluation.

6. Assisted Programming: automatic, semi-automatic, manual

In addition to fully automatic or fully manual programming, the product provides for the

assisted programming. This is an innovative programming system where the operator

can manually set some parameters and operations, and the system calculates

automatically all others necessary operations, highlighting any incompatibility of

programming due to collision or dynamic limits

This method increases the operators freedom of action, but also ensures consistency and

safety of operations and avoids any mistakes that could damage the machine or decrease

the programming.

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II. PRODUCT STRUCTURE AND SOFTWARE ENVIRONMENTS

RoboWave pressbrake environments are structured on 3 main levels:

- EDITING

- PROGRAMMING and SIMULATION

- POST PROCESSING

The strategic choice to build integrated but independent environments, previewed in

RoboWave pressbrake development, offers plain merits about flexibility and expandability

of software solution.

Tool library Piece

UPress-brake part program

Press-brake

post-processor

Off-line

Programming

Piece

Importer Tool editor

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1 PRESS-BRAKE AND WORKING CELL

The programming software RoboWave pressbrake handles not only the press-brake

machine or parts of them but is able to take into account the environment where the

machine itself is placed.

The software considers a cell rather than a "machine". The "cell" is made of the press-

brake and of other elements defining dimensions and encumbrance, but in particular

could be enriched with robots and other automation equipment.

This feature makes unique the product RoboWave pressbrake and perfectly expandable

and integrated with automation and robotics.

In fact, the same cell and machines used in RoboWave pressbrake can be used in

other products of the RoboWave family, particularly RoboWave bending for managing

robotic bending cells.

Tool Editor

The Tool Editor Environment allows the user to create a model of pressbrake tool starting

from its section, for example importing a dxf file.

Multi Cell Editor

The Programming Environment is able to operate on a predefined cell.

The MULTI CELL Editor allows to set the machine (the cell) and all the data associated to

be used in the Programming environment.

This Editor could be used in the case having different cells and one software to program

them: browsing the available cells, set the cell to be used in programming, load all the

data associated to the cell allowing the right operations with Programming Environment

(elements, pieces, tools, programs, ). Each working cell is made by the press-brake to

be used and of all the elements that could be included in the working area.

Stop Areas

Support Areas

Mounting FrameGauging Zone

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2. PROGRAMMING AND SIMULATION

2D Piece Import & Correction

This Environment is dedicated to the 2D piece import and definition: import the 2D

geometry (in DXF or others formats) and transform it in a 3D model. With the software,

the operator could modify characteristics parameters of bending process, as K-value,

metal sheet elongation, internal radius

The Editor offers the realistic with facets and fillets 3D visualization of the bending piece.

Programming & Simulation

In programming, once loaded the piece you want to produce, there are the following

integrated stages:

Programming of bending operations: in this phase the bending process is defined in

detail. In particular, you can choose the bending tools (punches and dies) and their

mounting on the press-brake and place the back gauge for each bend. All these

operations can be performed completely automatically with just one mouse click or

manually through the use of simple graphical interfaces by the operator.

Simulation

At any time, the operator, thanks to intuitive 3D graphic environments, can simulate the

entire process, including the movements of the press-brake and the deformation of the

workpiece.

Programming and simulation of the whole process can be accessed by operators without

deep experience in bending process.

Gauging

Press brake tooling

Manual

Bending Sequence definition

Bending Process Definition

Automatic & interactive Simulation Press-Brake

program

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In Simulation you have a realistic 3D model of the cell with all the equipment and devices

in their exact location, each equipped as described in previous quarters. The realistic

simulation allows a safe evaluation of the production cycle time.

Furthermore, the product provides full simulation of the production process, including the

necessary movements of the piece in front of the press-brake, to be made by the

operator.

3. POST PROCESSING

RoboWave pressbrake, thanks to the programming capability, generates all the data

necessary to program the press-brake. The data are expressed in neutral format and

then translated into specific press-brake language using specific post-processor. A post

processor is provided for every type of press-brake controller.

Post-processing is totally customizable, allowing the realization of production

management solutions with the largest flexibility.

4. INTEGRATION WITH EXTERNAL SOFTWARE

The high level of interoperability of RoboWave pressbrake allows data exchange not only

with the controls of the press-brake but also with the most popular CAD/CAM for metal-

sheet working in the market.

In fact, the software can import the part, the tool data base, the bending sequence, the

press tooling directly from CAD/CAM of third parties.

This makes possible the easy integration of RoboWave pressbrake in the customer's

production process and avoiding to duplicate data or operational procedures.

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III. PRODUCT CONFIGURATION

RoboWave pressbrake

The license gives the user the non-exclusive and non-transferable right to use a copy of

the Software exclusively for the purposes of internal use for single computers

The User shall not use the Software to supply services to third parties including

consultancy, software development and training activities

The software supplies the automatic solution relevant to bending sequence and press-

brake tools set-up but, at the same time, it allows the modification or the manual

definition of the bending sequence as well as of the press-brake tooling. Moreover, it is

basically released in single-cell version, which allows you to manage a single press-brake

machine.

The license of the product is non-transferable.

RoboWave pressbrake includes:

One license of the software RoboWave pressbrake

a standard machine installed

one post processor for a press-brake CN to be chosen from those available.

User Manual

MAINTENANCE AND UPDATES

Maintenance

The Maintenance includes phone or email support and software updates to the latest

release 1.X of the product.

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OPTIONS

Multi Machine

This option allows the user to work with many machines with the same software license.

The option is particularly useful for User with more than a machine.

Press-brake Post processor

An Additional Press-Brake Post Processor (executable software module) for a specific

Press-Brake Numerical Control.

This option is indicated in the case of activation of the Multi-machine option.

TRAINING AND CONSULTING

User Training

The course is available for a maximum of 3 participants and lasts 1 day. It is held at

Turin premises.

Main topics dealed:

Product overview

installation and configuration

architecture and product environments

Piece import/editing/modification

Press-brake tools library import/editing/modification

Programming and simulation