Abstract
In response to the increasing demand for press tools, a compact and practical CAD/CAM system for progressive dies, one of the most complicated types of press tools, has been developed. The features of this system are: (1) designing can be easily accomplished just by inputting the geometrical data of the strip and die layouts, and (2) CAM information can be directly extracted from the CAD information. In developing this system, a new model for die construction has been determined by studying the design process. An algorithm and data file needed for automatic tool selection and calculation of machining conditions and tool paths have been completed from the data obtained by using this model. To analyze the usefulness, many practical studies have been performed, and it has been found that the total period for design and manufacturing is reduced to about 1/5 the time previously required. This method can also be applied to many other types of press tools, such as compound dies, single dies, and transfer dies.
