1. Load the Necessary Machine Files
After the sheet has been created, while still in the Sheet
tab, click the Open
folder to load a punching machine
file, a material file and a tool inventory. (This step may be skipped
if defaults for these items were set in Preferences>Default
Values. In such a case, AP100US will automatically open with these
files in place.) Also, if the user loads an existing sheet, that sheet
will automatically load the above mentioned file types that were previously
saved with it.
2. Check & Edit Settings
Check the settings in Preferences>Tool
Assignment, such as Tool Priority and Tool Parameters. Also check
Preferences>Display Options (tool
hits display in work area), NC File (set parameters
for printing NC file) and Tooling Options
(toggle ON/OFF various tooling options).
3. Verify Tooling Source
To control where the tools used on the sheet will be pulled from, in the
Tool Assign tab select either
From Tool Inventory or From
Turret (see Tool Selection
Options). In System
Setting>Tool Inventory, the user can view all the tools in the
currently loaded tool inventory, which could number in the hundreds. However,
in the Tool List (after tools have been assigned) the program only lists
tools that are suitable for the current turret.
4. Assign Microjoints
Click on System Setting>Edit Material
to open the Punching Microjoints
panel and assign microjoints as needed. To use a tool as a microjoint
tool, it must first be assigned as such. See
How to Select a Microjoint Tool for info.
5. Assign Tooling
If tools have not been assigned to the sheet yet, do so now. While in Sheet View open the Tool
Assign tab and click Auto
Sheet. To manually assign tools see Manual
Tool Assignment for info.
6.
Load Parts onto the Sheet
Open the Open File window
to load parts onto the sheet. To save material, fit as many parts onto
the sheet as possible by using options on the Sheet
tab. The Sheet Wizard can be very helpful
when fitting a large number of parts on multiple sheets.
7. Sequence Sheet / Generate NC code
In the final step open the Punch
Sequence tab and click the Auto Sequence
icon. In that same tab, click Generate
NC Code to finalize.
Punching
Work Flow Video
To view an instructive video for this topic, click Punching
Work Flow.
Note: This page is intended as a very basic guide to punching a sheet. Due to the complexity involved and the countless options and variations, it cannot be considered as exhaustive information.