Create fold data
You can create Fold Technology Data (panel bender tooling) for a sheet-metal part using the Fold module. Let us assume you have already installed a machine, and that you have imported a CAD part (2D or 3D):
Switching to Fold CAM
Now, the part can be tooled up for a panel bender by just pressing the F key. Flux brings up a menu where you can select one of the panel benders that are installed. The part is then tooled up for this machine. The bending sequence, the blank-holder composition, gauging, and any optional ZBW or ENW tools are all computed, and you should see a result like this:
If there are no errors, the NC program is generated for the part and saved into the output folder that has been set up for this machine.
| See also the the Workflow panel, which can be accessed by pressing the W key. This provides more control over creating bend technology data, and options for routing the part through laser CAM, nesting etc. |
Further operations
Here is a quick summary of some of the operations you can do once a part has been tooled up for bending. The following pages of this manual provide more detail about each of these operations.
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If you click the Spacebar, a panel bender simulation starts. You can also use the simulation controls on the Fold Navigator to start, stop or rewind the simulation:
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If there are any warnings or errors, they show up in the Fold Navigator, and you can view those and solve them by clicking on the corresponding cells.
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You can edit the fold tooling (blank holders, gauging, ENW and ZBW tools, grippers).
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You can change the machine by clicking on the machine name in the tab below the part, and selecting a different machine:
When a fold solution is created, if there are no errors, the part NC program is generated. You can control this behavior (whether the NC program is generated automatically) from the Fold Outputs page of the Settings dialog. If code has been generated, the nc-code button in the left toolbar is grayed out:
As you make any changes to the part, this button becomes enabled again, and you can re-generate the NC program by clicking on this icon again (or by pressing the C key).