SPI SheetMetalWorks Advantages

With SPI SheetMetalWorks 2012 it is possible to give manufacturing information attributes along with the flat patern development as an option. 

For hole or stamping it is frequently necessary to spend in place of the outline a text into the unolding which the tool intends for a later manufacturing. With the new command manufacturing information attributes now users can specify text replacements for selected outlines of holes or stamping at the 3D model. Besides the attribute can be used to transfer text engravings to the unfolding.

If the text contains for example a machining pattern defined in TruTops Punch, now with the help of the SPI TruTops interface the unfolding can be handed over to TruTops Punch whereby the machining pattern is already placed and aligned. If the text contains a TruTops Punch defined processing sample, it is possible to import such an unfolding in TruTops Punch by means of the SPI TruTops Interface. This results in an already placed processing sample including its direction.

If you want to insert the assigned contour into the unfolding together with a text use the option Contour visible. In the unfolding parameters for GEO or rather DXF you can modify the Line Properties for all of this contours.

You can put in text directly or use the button „Variables“  and than use one or more place holders instead of  the text. The place holders values are replaced by concrete values within the unfolding. 

The SPI SheetMetalWorks Component Manager offers standard parts, connectors, flanges, transitions as well as heads and - new with version 2012 - boxes and boxes with caps.

Addoitonal modules are available SPI TruTops Interface for TruTops 2.3 and with version 2012 alos the SPI WiCAM Interface.

Frequently used components - just click, define the parameters and insert the result into your design: A dream comes true.

The SPI Component Manager belongs to the scope of supply of the SPI SheetMetalWorks Software and puts an extensive library of standard construction units to your disposal. It supports you with the arbitrary design of standard parts, connectors, flanges, transitions as well as heads and - new with version 2012 - boxes and boxes with caps. It gives you exact results for filleted and sharp-cornered sheet metal parts.

The use of the software is fast and easy:  Just select a component from the clearly laid out catalogue with a click of your mouse, and get the corresponding parameters in a detailed preview. Choose one of the parameters and modify it to your demand. At the push of a button the complete component is built and is appended to your SolidWorks assembly.

The default delivery consists of about  30 parts and will be graded up with every new release. Beneath that you can build up your own components and store them for later work.

SPI SheetMetalWorks

is the link between design and manufacturing and therefore provides designers and manufacturers with dramatic improvements in the design process for ready to manufacture products.

Ready-to-manufacture design

Precise unfolding...

SPI SheetMetalWorks delivers a 100 % correct unfolding, that can be used within the process chain without rework. Freeform surfaces, holes in bending areas and even surfaces which were produced by lofting are transferred to precise unfolding.

…even of imported models…

With SPI SheetMetalWorks you can assign material definitions to imported models (DWG, SAT, IGES). Imported data frequently exhibit inaccuracies or mathematically unfavorable representations of geometry. SPI SheetMetalWorks compensates this by different tolerance options, which refer themselves among other things to the plate thickness, parallelism of upper and lower surface and the angles, under which adjacent surfaces meet one on the other.

For instance as Tops-GEO-format. SPI SheetMetalWorks allows for the direct export of the unfolding geometry from SolidWorks to the ToPs-GEO file format. Different to the DXF transfer the once calculated GEO-files can directly be up-loaded to TruTops Laser and TruTops Punch modules for nesting, laser cutting etc. A time-consuming transformation with the help of the Tops drawing editor is void! For the bending simulation all information (bending radii, bending factors) is contained and thus is immediately available in TruTops Bend. To get to know more about this option please refer to the product information of SPI TruTops Interface.

For the further processing with Delem and Cybelec the unfolding supplies the necessary additional information also. You can use the geometry in arbitrary other numerical control programming systems. 

The data that are relevant for the process chain (machines, material and sheet metal thicknesses) are maintained in SPI‘s material management. As soon as you do not keep the defined parameters in the course of your construction, the software refers to a potential conflict. However, with the selection of the material you do not commit yourself: Of course you can assign another material to the work piece later on. The calculation of the shortening takes place according to DIN, formula or table. Shortening definitions (formulas or tables) can be adapted to your company standards, if the calculation of the unfolding does not refer to the DIN k factor. You can define them differently per bend. 

SheetMetalWorks from SPI is a Certified Gold Product and is 100% integrated with SolidWorks.