Virtual press toolmaking service saves weeks or months - delivers right-first-time parts

The company, which specialises in large press form tools, believes it is the first in the UK to back its service with the sophisticated software system. Chris Sharratt, director, explains: "Press tool makers use their experience to come up with a design and have not used design analysis tools to help them. In contrast, mould tool makers have for some time made use of such technology. "This means that you don't know what the tool is going to do until you use it for the first time. It is at that point that you find that you may have problems with cracking, splintering, wrinkling, incorrect forming, springback and so on. Maybe there are only two stages when there really needs to be three, for example. In such cases, you need further tool development and physical changes to the tool itself." The increasing use of newer materials, such as aluminium and thinner stainless steels with higher tensile strengths - part of the drive for greener cars, is exacerbating the situation, as are the shorter timescales that car makers increasingly demand, says Lodent Precision. "By using simulation, you can test everything and come up with the right approach and tool design," Mr Sharratt says, adding that the company's new service could save weeks or even months. The starting point is a piece of material that is to be worked, with the various properties of this established at the outset. These are then fed into the software and the tool is effectively designed backwards, starting with a solid model of finished part. The company is currently discussing its new offering with companies and is keen to use its capability to support better design, avoiding situations where parts are found to be impossible to make, as happens now, it is highlighted. "By using simulation, we will know within days whether or not it is possible to make a part, rather than several months," concludes Mr Sharratt.