MBend  can import parts in 3D STEP/IGES or 2D DXF formats, export to 2D DXF, and exchange data directly with cncKad.

MBend  allows

·        Importing and unfolding 3D IGES and STEP parts

·        Importing flat DXF and DWG files

·        Transferring 3D parts from supported CAD applications using CAD Link

·        Transferring parts directly to and from cncKad as a flat pattern

 

3D IGES/STEP Import 

Use MBend to import parts in 3D IGES and STEP formats and unfold them. When you open the part, MBend analyzes the 3D geometry and unfolds it according to user-defined parameters such as a deduction table or DIN6935.

The part can then be tooled, sequenced, and sent to the machine. 

Flat DXF/DWG Import/Export

Import parts a flat DXF or DWG into MBend. When you open the file MBend displays a preview of the flat geometry with a layering filter. You can turn off any layers that do not hold the contour or the bend lines. MBend analyzes the information and turns it into a part that can be folded and unfolded. It can then be processed and sent to the machine.

When your part is ready for production, you can export the flat pattern to a DXF file for further processing. 

CAD Link Transfer

CAD Link  is an add-on to 3D CAD systems that links them to MBend.

3D models are transferred directly between the systems, bypassing the need for intermediate exchange files. The 3D application unfolds (flattens) the part and CAD Link then transfers it to MBend. Once the export is complete, MBend opens, displaying the unfolded part. 

CAD Link  is available for the following CAD systems:

·        Solid Edge^®

·        SOLIDWORKS^®

·        Autodesk Inventor^®

·        Catia^®

·        PTC Creo^®

MBend  tooling enables manual, automatic, and preferred tool selection, and saving or reuse of tool segment and position setups.

MBend  tooling enables manual or automatic selection of tools, using your machine’s tools. You can save tool setups and use them for loading new parts.

MBend  includes complete tool manufacturer catalogs. In addition, you can import tools and tool holders using DXF drawings or create tools parametrically.

MBend  can unfold parts according to tool-specific compensation tables, ensuring precise cutting dimensions for blanks.

MBend  supports tooling for all standard bend types:

·        Normal bends

·        Hemming bends

·        Large radius bumping bends

MBend  lets you designate preferred tools for one-click selection according to material and machine. This allows streamlined tool selection according to your preferences.

 

Automatic Tooling

 

Automatic tool selection efficiently determines the best bending die/punch/holder tool combination based on these things:

·        Tool geometry

·        Desired bend radius

·        Maximum allowable force

·        Tool inventory and favorite tools

MBend  can also look for a valid bend sequence for each tool combination, testing if it is useful for braking the part.

 

Manual Tooling

 

Manually select punch, die, and holder combinations from your company’s inventory.

During selection, the original design details are clearly displayed and MBend prevents you from choosing invalid tool combinations.

Stacking tools in MBend is easy. MBend guides your choices so you can only select stackable components.

 

Hemming

MBend ’s support for hemming includes

·        Simulation of all common hemming tools: “Dutch”, spring-loaded, and flat

·        Default hemming tools per machine for automatic selection

·        Default and editable pre-bend angles

·        Simulation of machines with hemming tables

 

 

Example of a spring-loaded hemming tool handled by MBend

 

Bumping Bends

 

Large radius bumping is made by a series of shallow angled hits, designed to create a smooth result.

 

Flat Adjustment by Tooling

 

 

The bend compensation table for steel, 1 mm: the values are in a grid according to angle and tooling (V width)

 

MBend  performs dynamic recalculation of flat size according to tool selection. You can select one of several optional calculation methods: bend compensation table, ISO, constant K, or Rolleri formula.

MBend  can preserve the original flat pattern, regardless of the selected tools, while keeping the original folded product dimensions.

 

 

 

 

The video shows the impact of tooling on the flat pattern.

 

Tool Library

MBend  includes complete, ready-to-use tool manufacturer catalogs. In addition, MBend supports easy creation and import of tools.

Tool Import from DXF

Easily import tools and tool holders from your DXF drawings. MBend automatically identifies all relevant dimensions (punch tip radius, height, v-width, etc.) and populates the database.

Define default settings per manufacturer to apply to all newly created tools for this manufacturer (segments/tool sectioning, heel dimensions, and tang height).

Parametric Tool Creation

 

Create punch and die tools by defining their parameters. MBend supplies templates that resemble your new shape, allowing you to adjust the dimensions to create a complete fit. In addition to defining width, height, angle, and so on, define segments, heels, maximum power, tang height, and up and down joints.

 

MBend  enables manual selection or automatic calculation of bend sequencing.

MBend  automatic sequence setting capabilities:

·         Calculation of a collision-free sequence for any number of bends

·         Optimized tool station setup calculation based on tool segment availability

·         Intelligent tool segment distribution and clamping

·         Heel tools for overhanging flanges

·         Tool rotation (when possible) to avoid part rotations

·         Hit splitting to avoid holder and table collisions

·         Hemming bends

·         Divide and merge tools for collinear (in-line) bends

Automatic Sequencing

After tool selection, MBend can automatically calculate bend sequences, based on different properties of the hits. You can choose the sequence that meets your requirements.

MBend  calculates collision-free bending solutions that are ready for production, ensuring the machine operator does not waste time and material on trial runs.

If a collision-free bending sequence exists, MBend can find it.

Manual Sequencing

MBend  enables full manual control of bending sequences:

·         Set the bend sequence by folding the bends into the finished product

·         Split bends into partial bends to avoid collisions

·         Change sequences by dragging and dropping single and multiple bends into the order you want

·         Use heels/horns

·         Rotate the part or the tools

MBend provides options for automatic and full manual control of the finger positioning.

After you set a bend sequence, either manually or with automatic sequencing, MBend automatically calculates finger positioning.
MBend also calculates any retraction that is required to avoid collisions between the fingers and up or down swinging flanges.

To allow for user considerations, MBend also provides options for automatic and manual control over the backgauge:

·         Snapping to a specific stop, e.g., from a front stop to a crab claw

·         Searching for alternative stop positions

·         Numerical and graphic control for all axes

 

Automatic Stop Positioning

MBend enables you to snap the fingers to any stop on the part, provided there are no resulting collisions. For example, when asked to snap to a support position, MBend checks if the flange is long enough and does not collide with the die.

MBend always searches for the optimal position to gauge the part, using all available stop positions. MBend tries gauging with flat and crab claw stops, depending on the finger and part geometries.

 

Crab Claw Snapping

One of MBend‘s finger snapping functions is automatic snapping to stops. It searches for the optimal position according to the finger stop type you select, whether flat or crab claw.

·         For a crab claw stop, MBend clamps the part between the fingers.

·         For a finger with more than one crab claw configuration, you can use different clamping.

 

Simulating bends in MBend is a dynamic process, showing a realistic 3D visualization of the bending parts.

MBend  provides a realistic visualization of the bending process in 3D, displaying any collisions that may occur during the process:

·         With all moving elements

·         Between the part and the machine, tools, and fingers

The realistic visualization includes overbend and springback.

Once MBend ensures the part will be collision-free, you can generate NC code for the machine and reports.

 

Collision Testing for All Machine Parts 

MBend  simulates and performs collision detection for the part with all elements of the machine, i.e., fingers, tools, part, and machine frame. The simulation is done dynamically, displaying overbending and spring back, as well as finger movement between bends.

In addition, MBend can show the part handling – the movement of the part between bends. This is useful for viewing flips and rotations of the part and its movement between tool stations.

Tool Station Building

 

MBend  automatically calculates the optimal tool stations for the part, taking into account:

·         Available tool segments

·         Secure spacing between stations to avoid collision during bending

·         Secure clamping of segments

·         Machine bending length

MBend  looks for a solution with the minimal number of stations, and the minimal number of tool segments that allow performing the bending sequence.

You can edit the tool stations manually, changing segments, adding or deleting stations and more.

Predefined Setups 

 

Another useful feature is saving the stations setup for reusing with other parts or in a batch script.

Video Capture

In MBend, you can grab images or record a video of the simulated hits and save them to file.

It is possible to create a separate video for every hit. You can also determine the maximum file size to create, so that your hard disk does not run out of available space.

 

MBend  creates NC code suitable for most machines and controllers.

MBend  can generate native NC files for most machines and controllers, including these:

·         Cincinnati

·         CoastOne

·         Cybelec

·         Delem

·         Durma

·         ESA

·         Komatsu

·         Muratec

·         Toyokoki

·         Trumpf

Comprehensive MBend reports include all the information the operator needs to set up the tooling and bend the part.

Comprehensive MBend reports include all the information the operator needs to set up the tooling and bend the part.

Information includes:

·         Tool information and tool setup details

·         Bend sequence instructions

·         Flat view with the bend sequence

·         Product handling

·         Bend-by-bend graphics

MBend  provides several pre-formatted report templates:

·         General-purpose system reports, provided by Metalix, corresponding to the language(s) you select. Edit them with a CR editor.

·         Built-in reports.

You can generate your report files in several formats: PDF, DOC, RTF, XLS\XLSX, XML, CSV, and RPT.

The MBend automation feature allows batch processing your parts.

 

MBend  can process parts in batches, using selections of native MBCAM, 3D (IGS, STEP) or 2D (DXF, DWG) parts to generate machine-ready NC files and setup reports.

You can determine how to process a group of parts and save the settings for later use as a script file.

Select individual parts or entire folders to process, choose a machine—optionally deciding to generate NC and reports—and configure backup processes to run if the first configuration fails.

MBend  starts batch processing, running each part through automatic tooling, sequencing, simulation, and output generation using the configuration settings.

If processing a particular file fails (maybe because no appropriate tools are found, or because no sequence is collision-free), MBend proceeds to process the next part, and so on. When one part is processed successfully, output is generated. MBend then tries to process the failed parts using the next defined configuration.

You can manually change the predefined batch processing options.

With the MBend module of designing parts you can draw part profiles.

Use the MBend design module to sketch a part profile, refine its flange dimensions and angles, and save it in the profile library for later reuse.

MBend  also includes a basic 3D CAD designer.

 

Profile Designer

Draw the profile design freehand, and then adjust the draft measurements so they are exactly what you need.

You can save the profile with a name in the library of profile templates, and then use it as your base whenever you need to create a part with a similar basic design.

When you want to use a profile from the template library, MBend shows you a preview of each saved template.

 

 

You can edit the profile, changing its dimensions.

You can open it in the design module for adding 3D elements or open the part directly in the Simulation mode.

 

3D CAD Designer

 

MBend  includes a basic 3D CAD designer for creating sheet metal parts. Open an existing part or create a part based on a profile, and then add flanges, lips, cutouts, chamfers, fillets, and holes.

 

 

Machine Configuration allows to import and configure tools and machines.

MBend  provides roughly 200 pre-configured machine models out of the box. If your specific model is not in the list, you can easily modify an existing machine to match yours.

You can also add a machine in MBend to those already available for simulation. A built-in wizard guides you in the process of configuring a new machine, including assigning the tools, whether from imported definitions, existing definitions in MBend, or manual configuration.

There are three ways to add a new set of definitions:

·         Define all the parametric measurements.

·         Import an IGES file.

·         Import machine and tool parameters from another PC running MBend.

Defining a parametric frame is just a matter of measuring the machine and entering the relevant information in the template.