Transfer Die routings start with Offline Blanking on a machine that is separate from the transfer press. (The current release can be configured for inline blanking—please contact aPriori Support or your aPriori Account Manager. A future release will add out-of-the-box support for inline blanking.).

By default, aPriori uses finite element analysis to determine the shape of the flattened part which blanking creates—see Flattening for Transfer Die. In addition, blanking attempts to optimize material utilization by using a strip nesting algorithm. The cost model assumes the use of virtual sheet stock whose width is based on the results of the strip nesting calculations and whose thickness is based on part thickness—see Materials and Stock Forms for Transfer Die, Material Utilization and Part Nesting for Transfer Die, and Blank GCD. Several setup options allow you to configure the nesting calculation or control the orientation of the flattened blank on the stock—see User Inputs for Transfer Die.

You can display the flat pattern and its associated SER (smallest enclosing rectangle) by selecting Flat Outline from the Analysis menu in the Viewer toolbar. You can display the orientation of the blank on the stock by selecting Material Nesting from the Analysis menu in the Viewer toolbar. The nesting orientation is displayed at the bottom of the Viewer.

Note that, since this part is not balanced in the sense described in Transfer Die General Process, if the part were produced as a 1-out part, the material required would be somewhat greater than that predicted by aPriori.