Difference between revisions of "Benderlink for SolidWorks"

Revision as of 22:32, 24 March 2009

Benderlink for SolidWorks software extracts SolidWorks tube design data, converts it to bender data, then allows you to send data directly to CNC tube benders.

Features

The main features of this software:

1. - Read tube data from SolidWorks
2. - Convert the tube data to bender data
3. - Save / Recall the bender data
4. - Program and calculate cut-length to remove elongation using the Bend Reduction Editor
5. - Program and calculate last length to remove elongation using the Bend Reduction Editor
6. - Send new nominal data to benders that support SVNET protocol.
7. - With a measuring center: Make and send correction data to benders that support the SVNET protocol.
8. - With a measuring center: Reverse-engineer tube shapes
9. - Reverse tube feature that allows for reversing the end A for end B.
10. - Output TAURING data files (version 1.9)
11. - Handle bend angles of 180 degrees or greater (version 2.0)
12. - Acts as a file server to operator stations. Benderlink can watch for requests from operator stations for data by part name (For example, PINES TS-2000 bender control)

The reverse-engineering feature is performed by using 3D sketch with a measuring center - like a FARO arm. The tube centerline is sketched in 3D, then transferred to Benderlink for SolidWorks.

The correction feature is performed by measuring a tube with FARO arm, using this data to create a tube centerline in SolidWorks, then allow Benderlink to compare this inspected data with the MASTER data.

Screenshot of CNC Bender Import

This is a screen-shot of a conversion using Benderlink for SolidWorks into CNC Bender Offline running on a notebook computer. Compare the shape of the two images from the two programs.

Datasheet

• Read the PDF Benderlink for SolidWorks Datasheet here.

Benderlink for SolidWorks Software Updates

Screen Shot	Date Released	Link to Page	New Features
	April 22, 2008	Benderlink for SolidWorks 2.0	Support for bend angles of 180 degrees and greater Support combining adjacent bends to form one larger bender during file save TAURING CNC data build adjustment to include straights
	April 4, 2009	Benderlink for SolidWorks 1.9	Support for TAURING CNC output Independent compensation switches for Master and Inspected
	March 24, 2009	Benderlink for SolidWorks 1.8	Springback Compensation Editor Compensation switches
	March 10, 2009	Benderlink for SolidWorks 1.73	Swap ends Color coding for quick visual identification of Master and Inspected New buttons added to log headers Two save buttons created from previous single button to speed save
	March 7, 2009	Benderlink for SolidWorks 1.71	Pulldown menus were added to the interface Bend Reduction Editor (for predicting elongation) New button for opening Explorer at default data folder Reorganized user interface for more logical arrangement of controls

Demonstration Videos for Benderlink for SolidWorks

Download and view videos that show how Benderlink for SolidWorks works.

• [1]Introductory Demonstration Video

• [2]Sending Data to the Bender
• [3]Bender Corrections Loops

• [4]This video demonstrates how to transfer SolidWorks data to a BLM VGP-3D control.

Video Demonstration for Contiguous Arc Handling

• [5]Special case extraction: Contiguous Arcs with no straight segments (typical of push-roll bending)

Video for Conversion from SolidWorks to Eaton Leonard Benders

• How to use Benderlink for SolidWorks with Benderlink for Eaton Leonard to send data to an Eaton Leonard bender.
• You can also view this video as a Windows WWV movie.

SolidWorks Compatibility

Benderlink for SolidWorks has been tested and verified with these versions of SolidWorks:

• Benderlink and SolidWorks 2007 Screen Images
• Benderlink and SolidWorks 2008 Screen Images

Other References

• Read the online help

• View update information for this software: Benderlink for SolidWorks Version Updates Page

• For details on NLM installation, see: Benderlink for SolidWorks NLM Installation

• The Bend Reduction Editor page describes how to use the editor

• Read the PDF Benderlink for SolidWorks Datasheet here.