Simulation Tool simulation for transfer presses

Related Vendors

Schuler AG

BSH Hausgeräte GmbH

Taiwan Machine Tool & Accessory Builders' Association (TMBA)

Wuxi InfiMotion Technology Co., Ltd.

SIMTOS (Seoul International Machine Tool Show)

Before sheets are turned into home appliances at BSH in Traunreut (Germany), the tools on the presses must run flawlessly. To save costs and time, BSH uses software from Schuler for calculating, optimizing, and simulating ram and transfer movements.

In tool design, the advantages of simulation are nothing new. Yet, the latest developments in simulation solutions continue to be surprising. For example, if you simulate the part flow in transfer presses and include all the movements relevant to clearance, such as the ram and transfer, in the calculation, potential collisions can be identified in advance. This reduces the risk of failure and increases output.

With Metris Digisim Unlmtd, Schuler offers software for the calculation, optimization, and simulation of ram and transfer movements, which has been used in tool design at BSH since summer 2023. The advantage is that, in addition to the equipment at the location, others, for example in Spain and Turkey, can also be mapped, including those installations that do not come from the Schuler Group.

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Collision control ensures necessary safety distances

"Our goal is to be able to represent a digital twin for all BSH press plants worldwide in the future, in order to optimize the individual presses and their processes. We have taken a significant step forward with Digisim," explains Georg Fries, Senior Expert Stamping Forming Simulation at BSH Hausgeräte in Traunreut. "With Digisim, BSH can foresee the future of the production process," adds Johannes Klein, who is involved in process management at Schuler. "Thanks to the clearance simulation, for example, the maximum stroke rates and the setting data for each press can also be calculated. And the collision control ensures the necessary safety distances between grippers and tools." This now allows for a more press-friendly process. "This saves energy," adds Leonhard Nedler from tool design at BSH Hausgeräte in Traunreut.

In addition to saving the costs that would result from a damaged tool, BSH also saves time thanks to Digisim. The time it previously took to commission the tools can now be reduced thanks to the extensive simulation in advance.

Design and simulation in parallel

Nedler and Fries are especially enthusiastic about the easy operation of the simulation software. "We can easily export the exchange format from any software, drag and drop allows for intuitive handling, and everything happens in real time. This way, we see directly what changes on the press when we slightly adjust different parameters," explains Fries.

Press technology

Availability as the highest good

Ideally, the design and simulation should take place simultaneously in the future. Klein explains: "This way, BSH would already get initial statements on the stroke rate during the throughput planning. This improves planning reliability. The determined setting parameters can then be easily transferred to the press, significantly speeding up the process."

Klein conducted an online training with Fries, Nedler, Hatefkia Atefeh, and their team for the implementation of Digisim Unlmtd. After just two days, work could start immediately, which was particularly well-received in Traunreut. Just like the possibilities of the "View Only" function. It now makes communication with colleagues from production easier: "We can now simply show how it will look—without the previous extensive documentation effort of simulation reports," explains Nedler. "This also helps us, especially when we use the service of external toolmakers."