Geometric Inputs

This section covers the Process Setup Options (PSOs) that serve as substitutes for the geometry extraction performed by GCD-driven cost models.

The following start part image provides an overview of the relevant, user-supplied, geometric values:.

Follow these guidelines to ensure that your part will cost:

1 Create a virtual part and use the settings from an approriate start part (select or search for the start part scenario from the Recently Used Settings menu of the Cost Guide’s Production Scenario tab—see Using Settings from a Start Part).

2 Open the User Guided node in the Process and Machine Options tab of the Cost Guide. Supply a nonzero value for the required PSO Part Volume.

3 Open the Sheet Metal PG node in the Process and Machine Options tab of the Cost Guide. Supply a nonzero value for all the following required PSOs:

o Thickness of Part

o Width of the flat pattern’s Smallest Enclosing Rectangle

o Length of the flat pattern’s Smallest Enclosing Rectangle

Ensure that Length of the flat pattern’s Smallest Enclosing Rectangle is greater than or equal to Width of the flat pattern’s Smallest Enclosing Rectangle.

4 If your routing includes surface treatment or other secondary processes, supply nonzero values for all the following PSOs (the Sheet Metal PG node):

o Length of the finished part’s Bounding Box

o Width of the finished part’s Bounding Box

o Height of the finished part’s Bounding Box

Ensure that Length of the finished part’s Bounding Box is greater than or equal to Width of the finished part’s Bounding Box, and that Width of the finished part’s Bounding Box is greater than or equal to Height of the finished part’s Bounding Box

5 If your routing includes surface treatment, supply a non-zero value for the PSO Surface Area of the Part (in the Sheet Metal PG node).

6 Open the Turret Press Routing node. Supply a value that is greater than or equal to 0 for both the required PSOs.

7 Open the Turret Press node. Supply a value that is greater than or equal to 0 for all the required PSOs; if you or your start part supplies a value greater than 0, also supply consistent, nonzero values for the associated, conditionally required PSOs. Each required PSO’s associated conditionally required PSOs are listed below, together with their consistency requirements.

8 In the Bend Brake node, supply a value that is greater than or equal to 0 for all the required PSOs.

The following table lists the required PSO’s that have associated conditionally required PSOs. The associated conditionally required PSOs are shown, together with their consistency requirements:

Required PSO	Associated Conditionally Required PSO
 Number of Small Rounded Sections	 Unique Radii in Number of Small Rounded Sections Ensure that this is less than or equal to Number of Small Rounded Sections.
 Number of Large Rounded Sections	 Average Radius of Large Rounded Sections
 Number of Small Round Holes	 Unique Radii in Number of Small Round Holes Ensure that this is less than or equal to Number of Small Round Holes.
 Number of Large Round Holes	 Average Diameter of Large Round Holes
 Number of Small Complex Holes	 Unique Shapes in Number of Small Complex Holes Ensure that this is less than or equal to Number of Small Complex Holes.
 Number of Large Complex Holes	 Average Perimeter of Large Complex Holes
 Number of Holes Made with Cluster Punches	 Number of Unique Cluster Punches Ensure that Number of Holes made with Cluster Punches divided by Number of Unique Cluster Punches is greater than or equal to Average Number of pins per Cluster Punch tool (9 by default).
 Number of Forms	 Number of Unique Forms Ensure that this is less than or equal to Number of Forms.
 Number of Flanged Holes	 Number of Uniquely Shaped Flanged Holes Ensure that this is less than or equal to Number of Flanged Holes.
 Number of Countersunk Holes	 Unique Sizes in Number of Countersunk Holes Ensure that this is less than or equal to Number of Countersunk Holes.
 Number of Tapped Holes	 Unique Sizes in Number of Tapped Holes Ensure that this is less than or equal to Number of Tapped Holes.

The geometric input PSOs are associated with various routing nodes. All these PSOs are described in detail in the following sections:

 User Guided Costing Node

 Sheet Metal PG Node

 Turret Press Routing Node

 Turret Press Node

 Bend Brake Node