Sheet Metal Enhancements

More Control over Stock Selection logic in Sheet Metal Process Groups

The latest versions of the sheet metal process groups provide additional control for customers wishing to configure the logic related to selecting the sheet or coil stock to be used for a given part. The behavior of the baseline out-of-the-box logic has not changed. Customers who already have configured stock selection logic in sheet metal process groups will need to make minor updates to these configurations when upgrading their manufacturing process models to these latest versions.

Previously some aspects of stock selection were controlled by Java functions implemented in the cost engine, and they could not be controlled by CSL code in the process models.

If your Digital Factories already contain configured stock selection logic for a sheet metal process group, you will need to make changes when upgrading to the following versions of the manufacturing process models:

• Sheet Metal: CMV 330 or higher

• Sheet Metal – Transfer Die: CMV 190 or higher

• Sheet Metal – Hydroforming: CMV 140 or higher

• Sheet Metal – Stretch Forming: CMV 120 or higher

• Sheet Metal – Roll Forming: CMV 70 or higher

The specific changes to be made are described below:

1. Ensure libStockSelectionUtilities.csl is imported at the start of the stock selection file, that is:

   import libStockSelectionUtilities.csl

2. For actual stocks:

   Rename validMaterialStocks to selectableMaterialStocks, then add:

   validMaterialStocks = PruneSimilarSizedStocks(selectableMaterialStocks)

3. For virtual stocks:

   Add one of the following formulas depending on whether the process uses Sheet or Coil stock:

   virtualStocks = BuildSheetStockParams(part.thickness, virtualStockWidth, virtualStockLength)

   virtualStocks = BuildCoilStockParams(part.thickness, virtualStockWidth)

Updated Pricing for “Plate” Stocks in the Sheet Metal Process Groups