Unison introduces 3DCompound-developed TubeWorks add-in for SolidWorks CAD

TubeWorks is designed to help bending machine users create production-ready programs much quickly and efficiently, and will speed up quotation procedures. TubeWorks automatically extracts key manufacturing information, including tube specifications and CNC bending data, from both native SolidWorks models and common CAD file formats such as STEP, IGES, and ParaSolid. It can handle tube models with round (tube and bar), square, rectangular, oval or flat-sided oval cross-sections. The intuitive, easy to use add-in is fully integrated into SolidWorks, allowing users to take full advantage of the CAD software's design functions, and eliminates the need for any additional standalone solutions for generating manufacturing data during the design, development and production of tubular parts. TubeWorks also helps users minimise the pre-production design time of machine-based tube bending. These include automated centreline creation through tubular geometry (for both round and non-round profiles) and automated conversion of imported tube models into native SolidWorks models for CLR (centreline radius) modification. The software also extensively automates the generation of 2D drawings, as well as the creation of reports for the YBC data that will be used to control the bending machine and for the XYZ co-ordinates of the modelled tube. To maximise flexibility and ease of use, TubeWorks is fully functional in a multi-body part environment. A searchable tooling log enables users to quickly check the types of tools – such as bend former, mandrels, wiper dies, etc – that will be necessary for a particular bending operation, while a tooling recommendation function verifies whether a part can be produced using existing tools, or suggests suitable substitutes. The software also includes a useful tube length calculator, which evaluates the total length of tube that will be needed for fabricating the specific formed part.