New features in COPRA® MetalBender TD-i for Inventor 2010

• Parametric Transitions
• ToPs-Interface
• Maximum Contour

1. Parametric Transitions

3-dimensional geometries for container and pipe constructions can be created very fast and without extravagant expenses.

Creating parts
COPRA® MetalBender TD-i can be started by clicking the button Parametric Transitions in the pull down menu or in the Inventor Menu "SheetMetal“. It is similar to the already known module TD-i Transitions. As basic contours there are circle, rectangle and filleted rectangle available. The contours can be combined as you want and set the required dimension values in the dialog box.

Fig 1: TD-i Contour.jpg

In the new dialog the positions of the cuts are directly displayed.

When creating the model, different parts can be obtained, depending on the defined cut positions.
These single parts will be positioned in an assembly.

The directory and the name for the single parts and the assembly can be defined.
The filenames will be set by adding "_1“ up to maximum "_4“ for each part.

Fig 2: Example Trans.jpg	Fig 3: Example Trans2.jpg

Therefore an individual flat pattern can be created for each single part, which can be edited or derive drawings from.

Edit parts
The model is now complete parametrical, so it can be changed with the command "Edit part“. The dimensions of the contours and the height, thickness, offset and angle can also be changed. The type of contour can not be changed.

Fig 4: TD-i Contour2.jpg

The cut positions can also be changed. But it is not possible to switch a cut position on or off.

2. ToPs-Interface

The module is now also working with native Inventor flat patterns which are not created with the COPRA® MetalBender Advanced Solver (Analyser-i).

3. Maximal Contour

In the Inventor flat pattern edit modus the necessary maximum cut contour perpendicular to the sheet can be created, if it was cut angular by some model operations.

Fig 5: Param Trans.jpg	Fig 6: Param Trans2.jpg

Fig 7: Max Contour.jpg	Fig 8: Max Contour.jpg

Fig 9: Max Contour2.jpg	Fig 10: Max Contour2.jpg

Fig 11: Max Contour3.jpg

Fig 12: Max Contour3.jpg	Fig 13: Max Contour3.jpg