Material conversion processes
aPriori includes a sheet plastic conversion process to model sheet extrusion cost in every sheet plastic routing because sheet dimensions and costs vary too dramatically to be represented by even an extensive stock list. Each routing begins with a Material Conversion process specific to the number of cavities. The conversion process models the cost of converting the pellets to a sheet, and accounts for the cost savings from trimmed material that is sold back to the sheet supplier.
To select the material conversion machine
1 Do one of the following to display the Machine Selection window:
• If the material conversion node (Single Cavity Material Conversion, 2 Cavities Material Conversion, or 4 Cavities Material Conversion) is included in the current routing, right-click the node in the Manufacturing Process pane and select Machine Selection from the context menu.
• If the node is not included in the current routing, select Edit > Routing Selection in the Manufacturing Process pane to display the Routing Selection window, then right-click the node and select Machine Selection from the context menu.
2 Select one of the following options:
• aP Select – aPriori automatically selects the lower cost sheet extrusion machine based on the dimensions of the starting sheet.
• User Select – Manually select the machine from a list.
3 Click OK to save your changes and close the window.
To configure the material conversion process
1 Do one of the following to display the Process Setup Options window:
• If the Thermoforming branch node is included in the current routing, right-click the node in the Manufacturing Process pane and select Process Setup Options from the context menu.
• If the node is not included in the current routing, select Edit > Routing Selection in the Manufacturing Process pane to display the Routing Selection window, then right-click the node and select Process Setup Options from the context menu.
2 Modify any of the following options:
• Starting Gauge Determination – aPriori uses the wall thickness of the component from the CAD file to determine the initial thickness of the plastic sheet before forming (which stretches the plastic, reducing its thickness). You can select Desired Ending Wall Thickness is Equivalent to CAD Model to use the average wall thickness of the CAD model to calculate the starting gauge instead.
• Starting Gauge – aPriori automatically calculates the required starting gauge based on the selected starting gauge determination, clamp width, the component’s geometry, and overall draw ratio. You can select Override Starting Gauge and enter a value in the field to specify the starting gauge manually.
3 Click OK to save your changes and close the window.
4 Click OK on the Routing Selection window to close the window and re-cost the component using the modified processes.
You can click Apply to re-cost the component without closing the window.