Punch Application

Key Features and Benefits of PEP Punch Application Software

From intelligent punch nesting software to precise punching simulation, PEP Technology empowers manufacturers to achieve efficiency and accuracy in every project.

Intelligent Automation and Nesting for Maximum Efficiency

Streamline your workflow and maximize material use with our powerful capabilities.

Automatic part processing: Convert all major CAD formats into machine-ready programs. Our system provides interactive and automated processing, tailored to your preferred workflow.
Intelligent automatic nesting: Reduce material waste with advanced nesting algorithms. The software optimizes layouts for maximum yield and minimizing scrap.
Automatic sequencing: Determine the most efficient order for punching operations to enhance productivity. The system joins tool hits to create a path that enhances machine efficiency by reducing cycle times.
Automatic edge punching: Use common edge tooling to reduce machine downtime. The tooling logic will automatically detect “Shear to Size” and or “Blank Nesting” scenarios and tool the notched geometry.
Automatic clamp placement: Maximize usable sheet area by automatically nesting parts around or beneath machine clamps, as defined in the sheet borders.
Automatic part punching: The punch automatic tooling software supports single-part and multiple-part processing.

Advanced Tooling Management for Precision and Longevity

The Automatic Importing of Tools from the Master Tool Library can be run in either fully automatic or interactive mode, utilizing an intuitive list of suggested tooling solutions. You can:

Import exact-size tools from the Master Tool Library.
Interactively choose from a suggested list of optional tooling solutions.
Interactively select alternative tools and tooling strategies.

Our system provides tools for managing your entire tooling inventory, ensuring the right tool is always used for the job.

Automatic tooling with geometric pattern recognition: The software recognizes geometric patterns and applies optimal tooling strategies. In interactive mode, you can override automatic logic, import exact tools or choose from suggested alternative tooling solutions.
Automatic tool indexing: Program and operate auto-indexing and non-indexing tools automatically or manually, with full support for keyed angle tooling.
Forming, stamping, drilling and tapping support: The Automatic Tooling Software can apply Forming, Stamping, Drilling and Tapping tools.
Special tooling support: Apply a wide range of special tools to both internal and external geometry, including radius tools for complex curves and cluster tools for perforated hits. The Yellow tool is an example of the PEP Punch software’s ability to find and tool complex tooling solutions.
Automatic clearing: The Tooling logic will automatically clear internal and external contours to reduce the chance of loose material and to avoid unnecessary tabbing.
Automatic tab placement: Apply standard and special tabbing tools, such as Bowties and Trapezoids, to maintain maximum sheet integrity during the machine program run and unloading.
Punch and die tracking: The PEP Technology Punch application can track the number of hits each punch and die tool makes. This enables you to better track the tool wear for optimized sharpening and replacement intervals.
Multitool station support: Detect and apply multi-tool stations and mini-turrets during post-processing for enhanced flexibility.
Smart tool station safety zones: Define and manage clamp safety zones, dead zones and valid station numbers to prevent collisions and ensure safe operation.

Process Control and Simulation

Use Step Draw or the Machine Simulator to ensure accuracy before production. Our advanced simulation and reporting tools enable:

Automatic interference: The software checks for part interference and identifies any un-tooled geometries, preventing costly errors.
Ejection support: Integrate trap door and part ejection solutions into your sequencing for efficient part removal.
Press air control: The PEP Punch Application software and post-processors control the press air feature to assist in slug evacuation for cleaner punching.
Extensive process reports: The PEP Software provides process report timing, costing and machine setup tooling reports.

Seamless Machine and Software Integration

Punch Application integrates effortlessly into your existing manufacturing ecosystem. The user can setup a master tool library for a wide range of punch machine brands, including Amada, Strippit, Trumpf, Whitney and many more. We also offer integration capabilities with various ERP/MRP systems to further streamline your data flow and production planning.

Intuitive User Interface and Ease of Use

Even with its powerful capabilities, the PEP Punch Application is designed with the user in mind. Its intuitive interface and logical workflow minimize the learning curve for your team. Automated features handle repetitive tasks, freeing up time for optimization.

Key Tooling Terminology

Master Tool Library

A Master Tool library for each unique punch machine (Amada, Strippit, Trumpf, Whitney, etc.) is setup by the user “one time”, and should include all tools for available for the machine. The master tool library contains input fields for entering the tool description and other pertinent information about each tool such as Shape, Size, Nibble percentage, Clamp Safety Zones, Type, Tool Set, Station number.

Tool Sets

Within the Master Tool Library the user has the option to identify a tool as being part of a “group” of tools referred to as a “Tool Set” ( ex. Tool Set 1, 2, 3, etc. ). A tool set might be tools kept in the turret, and or, tools required for a job.

Tool Lists

A tool list is typically 1 to 40 tools necessary to tool a job. The tools in the master tool library are copied into the “Tool List” by the Punch Automatic Tooling logic. The user does NOT identify and or copy the tools from the master library, the entire process of selecting the tools and copying them into the Tool List is done automatically.

How the CAD/CAM Nesting Software for Punching Works

Punch Application streamlines your sheet metal fabrication process from design to NC code generation. A typical workflow involves:

Import Your Design

Easily import 2D or 3D CAD files (DXF, DWG, IGES, STP, PDF, etc.) into the software. Automatic Part Processing ensures seamless conversion, readying your designs for the next steps.

Intelligent Nesting and Optimization

Leverage our Intelligent Automatic Nesting to efficiently arrange parts on the sheet. Advanced algorithms maximize material yield, supporting common line punching and remnant sheet management.

Automated Tooling and Job Setup

Enter the job name, and the tooling logic pulls tools from the master library, compares them to part geometry, and adds missing tools to the Tool List. When no exact tool can be found in the Master Tool Library, the software prompts the user, displaying tooling solutions. Tooling solutions include undersized, oversized, hits with combinations of rounds and rectangles.

Define and save a progressive punch “Operation” specific to material type, thickness and grade. Punch Plans are defined with a specific Tool Library, by assigning a tool or tools to a specific geometry by size, and are saved to the SQL database. They can be recalled by “Material,” “All Materials” or by a “Tolerance” value. Using a punch plan will:

Eliminate tedious manual tooling solutions that require multiple progressive hits, pre-punch and forming operations.
Ensure that the tooling used to punch a specific geometry and material thickness does not exceed the available tonnage and the length of the punch tool.
Eliminate broken tools.
Ensure mistake-free pre-punch selection when tapping operations are used.
Automate punch plans in the CAD converter.

Work Zone Repositioning

The Repositioning and Work Zone Software will automatically detect Oversized Nested Sheets and suggest tooling Solutions for various machine size constraints.

Automatic Tool Priority Sequencing

The Sequencing Software automatically sequences all Tools by type, shape, classification and individual hits to reduce tool changes and optimize machine productivity.