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