Top-level Process Setup Options

The top-level Sheet Metal node provides the following options:

• Manufacturing Operation for Form Stamp GCDs

Manufacturing Operation for Form Stamp GCDs

Manufacturing Operation For Form Stamp GCDs: by default in starting point VPEs, the cost model assumes that small-depth features, such as identing, lettering, or usage symbols, are created by a punching process, while larger-depth flats, pockets, and recesses are created by milling (in the Machining process group).

Administrators can change the default with the cost model variable defaultManufacturingOperationForFormStampGCDs. If this variable is set to Punching, Forms of type STAMP are created with punching operations, by default; if the variable is set to Milling, Forms of type STAMP are routed to secondary Machining and assigned milling operations, by default. In starting point VPEs, the variable is set to Let aPriori Decide.

With this setup option, you can override the default on a part-by-part basis. Specify one of the following:

• Let aPriori Decide (the default in starting point VPEs): a Form of type STAMP is created by a Sheet Metal punching process if its depth is less than the value of the cost model variable maxStampingDepthThreshold (0.3mm in starting point VPEs). Deeper STAMP Forms are routed to milling operations.

• Punching: all Forms of type STAMP are created by a Sheet Metal punching process.

• Milling: Forms of type STAMP are routed to secondary Machining and assigned milling operations.

Note that a feature assigned to milling may be assigned both roughing and finishing; if it is, a single tool is used for both.

Note that you can also manually include Chemical Milling in your routing, and STAMP Forms will be assigned to Chemical Milling.

Enable Scrap Material Credit

By default in starting point VPEs, the cost model assumes that material scrap (such as trim scrap) is not sold for credit. Administrators can customize the default with the cost model variable enableScrapMaterialCredit (false in starting point VPEs). With this setup option, users can override the default on a per-part basis.

Enabling scrap material credit increases material utilization and decreases material cost. The credit rate is specified as a percentage of the material rate by the material property Scrap Cost Percent. See Formulas.

Enable Scrap Part Credit

By default in starting point VPEs, the cost model assumes that the material from scrapped parts is not sold for credit. Administrators can customize the default with the cost model variable enableScrapPartCredit (false in starting point VPEs). With this setup option, users can override the default on a per-part basis.

Enabling scrap part credit increases material utilization and decreases material cost. This includes credit for parts scrapped by this process as well as by downstream processes. The credit rate is specified as a percentage of the material rate by the material property Scrap Cost Percent. See Formulas.