Process-level Routing
This section covers available routings for soft-tooled processes. Production volume is generally the primary consideration that should guide your choice between soft tooling and hard tooling processes. Soft tooling processes have longer cycle times, but there is no upfront tooling investment required. Hard tooling requires an upfront investment (which can be significant), but the cycle times are generally very fast, even for complex sheet metal parts.
Another consideration that should guide you in your choice between hard and soft tooling processes is part thickness. Generally, hard tooling processes can only handle fairly thin sheet metal. Plate stock (> 1/4 inch) requires soft-tooled processes such as Plasma or OxyFuel cutting.
If the Machining process group has been licensed, routings may include 3-Axis Milling, Cylindrical Grinding, Gun Drill, and 2-axis Wire EDM operations, and (if helical groove geometry is present) Single Index Milling and Rotor Grinding operations. If the optional Turning module also has been licensed, routings also can include turning processes (2-axis and 3-axis lathes).
The routing also includes subsequent optional Heat Treatment, Surface Treatment, Part Assembly, as well as packaging, testing, and inspection processes, if your company has licensed these modules.
Following are the available soft-tooled sheet metal routings:
• [CTL]/Laser/[Bend]: [CTL] > Laser Cut > [Bend Brake] > [Roll Bending]
• [CTL]/Laser Punch/[Bend]: [CTL] > Laser Punch > [Bend Brake] > [Roll Bending]
• [CTL]/ Plasma /[Deslag]/[Bend]: [CTL] > Plasma Cut > [Deslag] > [Bend Brake] > [Roll Bending]
• [CTL]/ Plasma Punch/[Deslag]/[Bend]: [CTL] > Plasma Cut > [Deslag] > [Bend Brake] > [Roll Bending]
• [CTL]/ OxyFuel /[Deslag]/[Bend]: [CTL] > OxyFuel Cut > [Deslag] > [Bend Brake] > [Roll Bending]
• [CTL]/ Waterjet /[Bend]: [CTL] > Waterjet Cut > [Bend Brake] > [Roll Bending]
• [CTL]/ Turret /[Bend]: [CTL] > Turret Press > [Bend Brake] > [Roll Bending]
• [CTL]/[Bend]: [CTL] > [Bend Brake] > [Roll Bending]
In addition, the following routings, although they include hard-tooled processes, include the 3D Laser and Shear processes, which are themselves soft tooled.
• Prog Die: Progressive Die > [Stage Tooling] > [3D Laser]
• Transfer Die: Transfer Press* > [3D Laser]
• [CTL]/Shear/Press: [CTL] > [Shear] > Std Press
• [CTL]/Shear: [CTL] > [Shear] > [Roll Bending]
Every routing has a special initial process, Material Stock, that serves as the locus of material cost and utilization calculations (see Material Cost and Utilization). If you have licensed the Machining process group, your routing can include any of the following secondary processes:
• 3 Axis Mill
• Drill Press
• Wire EDM
• Grinding
• Automated Deburring
• Manual Deburring
Your routing can also include the following subsequent optional processes, if you have licensed these modules:
• Heat Treatment
• Surface Treatment
• Part Assembly
• Other Secondary Processes (packaging, testing, and inspection processes)
[CTL]/Shear routings can include secondary Chemical Milling—see Chemical Milling.