roll design and roll form simulation at FABTECH 2005

FABTECH 2005

data M Software GmbH completes this new products with a new and enhanced version of its known CAD software package COPRA® MetalBender.

At Fabtech 2005 data M Software GmbH is presenting a new version of its sheet metal software program COPRA® MetalBender for Autodesk's Inventor.
One of the new features offered by COPRA® MetalBender is the possibility to export flat pattern calculations in different formats even for 5-axis laser cutting (see figure 3). The user is offered interfaces suiting common systems like Cybelec, Delem, DXF or the new BendingOffice® control from data M Engineering. The TOPS interface supports the so-called GEO format as well as a tool dependent definition of bending radii.

picture 3: export of flat pattern in different format - also for 5 axis laser cutting
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COPRA® MetalBender allows for the design and - of course - unfolding of transitions, even with added fixing flanges as shown on picture 4 and offers specific functions like our "sheet metal lofting" routine.

picture 4: sheet metal transition with added fasteners (fixing flanges)
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COPRA® MetalBender enhances the sheet metal functionality which already comes with Autodesk's Inventor in a very effective and economic way. This isn't surprising since Inventor's basic sheet metal functionality comes from the same supplier: data M Software GmbH.
data M is also offering effective sheet metal design software for AutoCAD and Mechanical desktop. More information can be found on the internet at:
http://www.copra-metalbender.com
data M has been a leading developer of sheet metal software since the company was founded in 1987. The upper bavarian company is also offering OEM solutions for bending simulation and vision systems for in-line angle control.

data M Software GmbH is presenting its new software release COPRA® RF (Roll Forming) 2005 - for the first time in US.

A new release of data M's software package COPRA® RF (RF stands for Roll Forming) is going to be presented at Fabtech 2005 in Chicago.
Independent from data M's continuous development of new technologies in the field of roll forming (finite element analysis or computer controlled flexible roll forming) the German software- and engineering company has been continuously improving also design features of its known software solution for the roll forming industry.

The project manager in COPRA® RF is now extended by a document management system which allows to manage all design- and informative data occurring during a roll design- or analysis project. Data files from various software applications like MS Word, MS Excel, AutoCAD or user specific project files can be stored and retrieved at any time. This is due to the integration of data M's "CADFinder", a document management system into COPRA® RF.
The designer is able to define his own catalogues (list of documents or drawings) and search within these user- or company specific lists in order to complete his current designs with standard parts.

picture 5: COPRA® RF with CADFinder shows a drawing with 4 accessory rolls. The CADFinder browser on the left presents all relevant project documents.
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Another new feature in the new COPRA® RF 2005 version is a spread-sheet based unfolding of flower patterns. In addition to the known graphical oriented way to design the roll forming sequences COPRA® RF 2005 now offers this new table-driven way to define the various bending steps of the so-called flower pattern. Both - the profile list and the flower pattern are shown on the screen while the user is modifying the data. Respective forming steps are associatively linked up. This means that, if you change a bending angle in a certain forming pass, all respective subsequent angles can be updated accordingly.

The user can now define as many accessory rolls (e.g. side rolls or idler rolls) in any position as he needs. CADFinder, the integrated data base management system allows to sort and hold the files and data required in one single project and to automatically generate respective "paperwork" for subsequent jobs:
e.g. NC-data, accessory drawings for specific forming stands, roll accessories as well as single roll drawing and assembly plans.

data M Software’s high-end Finite Element Analysis Software “COPRA® FEA RF” has been introduced in the north american market successfully.
The non-linear elasto plastic calculation, the automatically generated model, a process-wizard driven easy definition of process parameters and reduced calculation time are making this solution to a virtual try-out and analysis tool.
At Fabtech 2005 data M will be showing COPRA® FEA RF with an integrated simulation of the welding process as well – in addition to the analysis of the forming process before and after the welding unit.
COPRA® FEA RF actually allows for both – the verification of roll tool design as well as the analysis of roll forming processes.

Picture 6: COPRA® FEA RF showing end flare in a roll formed section
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Picture 7: COPRA® FEA RF showing the welding process in a tube forming line
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COPRA® RF software is being used in more than 55 countries. data M and its partners offer worldwide support as well as design- and consulting services for the roll forming industry.

More information on the internet at: http://www.roll-design.com

Valley/ Oberlaindern, September 2005

If you have any question, please do not hesitate to contact:
Mr. Albert Sedlmaier at +49 8024 640-0 (phone)
Fax: +49 8024 640-300
mailto:datam@datam.de
Reprint free of charge;
Author’s copy kindly requested.