Deep-draw press tool design software enhancements

There are a number of enhancements to Delcam Toolmaker CAD deep-draw press tool design software aimed at shortening the design time by providing dedicated functionality for many of the tasks involved in preparing the tooling. One improvement provides a number of automated ways to orient the part shape to give the optimum tool design. The user can choose between methods that minimise undercuts, that minimise the overall tool depth or that are based on averaging the normals of key surfaces. Undercut shading has been improved to make it easier to compare the results obtained with the various options. There is also now a quick and easy method to fill in any concave regions around the edge of the part to simplify its outline. The user simply needs to click on the beginning and end of the edge section, and the software does the rest. It automatically creates a new surface that fills the gap, while working out the tangencies of the various edges to ensure continuity between the new surface and the adjoining areas.