Page 16 - MetalForming October 2019

Software for Manufacturing
Cloud-Based Simulation Software
AutoForm Engineering GmbH has announced a new service, AutoForm in the Cloud, enabling flexible, browser-based access to AutoForm simulation technology. AutoForm in the Cloud allows for access of AutoForm software to users who lack sufficient onsite software or hardware resources. Now, both software and hardware can be used directly
from the browser, making onsite instal- lation, maintenance and updates unnec- essary.
The service is ideal for users interested in the full suite of Auto- Form Forming R8 products but never or only rarely having used AutoForm prod- ucts, or having only periodic peak loads.
This new service allows access to AutoForm software products and hardware as well as parallel computing on eight cores.
AutoForm in the Cloud makes robustness studies available to all existing users by enabling access to the corresponding AutoForm software products and hardware, and reportedly providing a speed-up factor of 16 as compared to a typical, well-equipped desktop with eight cores. And, the service meets the needs of existing users who require faster turnaround times and, in particular, more sophisticated computing for their complex parts.
“With AutoForm in the Cloud, users no longer are limited to onsite software and hardware availability,” explains Dr. Markus Thomma, corporate marketing director at AutoForm. “They now have immediate access to virtually unlimited AutoForm software and hardware resources. The flexibility of software and hardware usage results in completely optimized costs since users only pay for what they use.”
AutoForm Engineering GmbH: www.autoform.com
New Version of Sheet Metal CAD/CAM Software
Radan 2020.0 sheet metal CAD/CAM software, from Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division, promises a reduction in mouse clicks (reportedly almost by half) and improvements
to nesting and
reporting, allowing users to save both time and costs, according to com- pany officials.
Its new quick- nest mode provides a more visual inter- face, with limited upfront setup for projects, and a redesigned new
project dialog that allows users to “get nesting quicker,” according to Olaf Körner, Radan product manager, who notes that time benefits also can be achieved with machine-specific projects and templates. “If a user wants to begin nesting quickly, we’ve made it much easier to get started, with fewer questions and machine-spe- cific templates. The template contains automation—for example, a fiber laser template will switch to the user’s selected laser machine and input all of the required settings.”
In addition to the reported quicker start to projects, users easily can pick up on previous projects, says Körner. The version’s new streamlined mode benefits from reduced mouse travel and an autosave function to ensure no loss of work.
The software’s Radtube component delivers improvements to the common- line cutting feature added in the previous release. Users now can optimize the nest either by material usage or by cycle time. Radtube reporting also has been improved to include QR codes, bar codes and images, simplifying recognition of parts.
Also, Radquote has been enhanced with many updates, including the new nesting engine for material calculations. As soon as a quote turns into an order, Radquote automatically exports all the information needed in the form of a PDF file for records, for emailing to the customer as an order confirmation, or as data in CSV or text format. This can be linked seamlessly to the company’s ERP/MRP system.
And, Radbend now has additional mon- itoring that checks unfold geometry in a number of stages to ensure manufac- turability. Further checks also have been added to support intermediate bends, breaking down the process into two steps where needed to ensure accurate results.
Overall, RADAN 2020.0 benefits from further upgrades to workflow, thus increasing efficiency, saving time and optimizing resources, according to company officials, who note that the software has the ability to connect seamlessly to ERP/MRP software. Hexagon: www.hexagonmi.com/en-US
14 MetalForming/October 2019
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