An Automated Nesting and Process Planning System of Irregularly Shaped-Sheet Metal Product With Bending and Piercing Operation for Progressive Working

굽힘 및 피어싱 공정을 갖는 불규칙형상 제품의 프로그레시브 가공을 위한 네스팅 및 공정설계 자동화 시스템

This paper describes a research work of developing a computer-aided design of irregularly shaped-sheet metal product with bending and piercing operation for progressive working. An approach to the CAD system is based on the knowledge-based rules. Knowledge for the CAD system is formulated from plasticity theories, experimental results and the empirical knowledge of field experts. The system has been written in AutoLISP on the AutoCAD with a personal computer and is composed of five main modules, which are input and shape treatment, flat pattern-layout, production feasibility check, blank-layout, and strip-layout module. Based on knowledge-based rules, the system is designed by considering several factors, such as radius and angle of bend, material and thickness of product, complexities of blank geometry and punch profile, and availability of press. This system is capable of unfolding a formed sheet metal part to give flat pattern and automatically account for the adjustment of bend allowances to match tooling requirements by checking dimensions and the best utilization ratio of blank-layout within bending production feasibility area which is beyond ${\pm}30^{\circ}$ degrees intersecting angle between grain flow and bending edge line and which is suitable to progressive bending operation. Also the strip-layout drawing generated by a bending and a piercing operation according to punch profiles divided into automatically for external area of irregularly shaped-sheet metal product is displayed in graphic forms.