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FEATURED BLOG
Update
Submitted By: Q
8/6/2009 8:28:27 PM
Not much new, found some new tools to lower costs.....
Automated die design has come a long way.. sort of on hold right now in lieu of putting some time in on other projects, but it is up and running....
Patriot tooling systems is the latest project.... allows a low cost tool to be built with more rigidity than older methods, and 10-13% price reduction... finding more things we can do with it too... it helps enable ...(more)
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| Low Cost Tooling Coordinated Manufacturing Initiative update Thanksgiving 2008 |
| Submitted By: Bob Quinn on 11/27/2008 7:15:00 AM |
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Hi to everyone and Happy Thanksgiving!
I just want to give you everyone an update as to the status of the Low Cost Tooling Initiative Coordinated Manufacturing Initiative.
All is well, or at least as good as can be given the current state of things here in Michigan. I have not posted anything new in a while as we have been busy, and I was not able to make much progress on anything in quite a while. I am "back into it" and things are progressing nicely.
We recently started calling meetings with some of the people interested in pushing forward the LCTI concept and are developing a game plan to bring in new members and develop a structure for others to participate and reap benefits from the system. Anyone that would like to have input, or is interested in being involved on more than just an e-mail basis, please contact me, and we can talk.
On the technical side of things, the fully automated grind / edm system is up and running and making details! I am not saying there aren't a few things I don't want to tweak yet, but all in all it's pretty cool.
Another technical note and a BOLD prediction:
I believe I mentioned in the last newsletter, the potential for developing an automated design system (for progressive dies).
I spent a good deal of time on that in February and March, but was unable to continue until recently. During the initial phases I was concentrating on a "hybrid" 2d / 3d environment and was able to make good progress. The system was basically able to take the standard 2d profiles that would normally be in the plan view of the die, and automatically extrude them, using proper z level elevations and create the 3d model. At the same time, being a die designer stuck on convention to a degree, I also developed into the package the automation required to create side views of all the stations automatically. This was pretty slick but I honestly got a little hung up on the 3d solid model part of it, as the version of Autocad I am using is 2004DX and while the solid modeling capabilities are o.k. in this package, they are not anywhere close to the capabilities of the new Autocad 2009. I discovered this mid-summer while watching a "what's new" webinar from Autodesk. Based on what I saw, I realized that any code I write for 3d would more than likely require a complete overhaul when I get the opportunity to upgrade to a newer version. As there are many 3d changes in 2009, it may be best to wait for 2010 to come out to allow them time to "smooth" out any operational anomalies (i.e. bugs).
However, for you 3d fans, do not despair, the work I have put into setting up the system to automatically create the 3d will not be lost, and as I develop the system I am taking into the consideration the need to do so, and maintaining the structure required to easily pick up on that track again when the time is right.
The new piece of the pie, now that the structure of the system has been developed, has been focusing on "intelligent automation" -
Forget Parametrics! I say that not to be crass, or stubborn, but from what I have found most parametrics have been a poor attempt at automation.
Here is an example: Why would I want to drop a screw hole into a detail at a random location and then go back and tell it, by applying and adding parameters, to move the screw hole to some dimension off the edge of the part? To people normally involved in this type of design mechanism, this will sound normal, and they may say "Yeh, but that way it's tied to this edge and if the edge moves it screw hole moves also." etc. etc.
O.K. So the difference is "intelligent automation" is going to put the stuff where you need it, the first time, with little need for change. I know it is difficult to grasp what the difference might be. Another way to look at is parametrics can be called "intelligent automation Light". In other words there is some "thinking" going on by the computer but it is basically "this dimension stays constant to this anchor point, and this one is (insert short math equation) relative to this point etc. So the parametric system while they do have significant advantages, in some cases, over non-parametric system, they are basically objects with a very small amount of programming built in.
So what does this mean? Here is the bold prediction: Most of the intelligence of the die design, that requires human intervention, is done at the strip layout stage. (for now). My belief is that once this strip layout is done, a die should be able to be completely designed within 2 hours, i.e. designed, detailed, bill of materials created, the whole thing.
Yes, of coarse that all depend on the die, but I would say that should apply for a small 10 station 30-40 inch die with some trim and a couple bends. Larger, and more complex will still take a little longer.
Here is what I have so far, and this is what prompted me to post an update. Based on a basic strip layout, outlining just the punch shapes, in there proper station locations. I have been able to create the "intelligent automation" to completely draw all the "Dayton" punches, top and side views, complete with correct part numbers, and automatically create all the upper retainers for the entire tool, in less than 45 seconds. Yes, I did say that correctly. So I don't think the 2 hours is a big stretch of the imagination. Maybe 2 hours is too long??? I thought about posting an avi file showing a demonstration of this, but I am not sure if I can as there may be some patent issues and I must be cautious as to how much to reveal.
So anyways, that’s my big news, hope you all have a safe and happy Turkey Day.
Best regards,
-Q
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