2021-06-15
A new updated version 03.31.0001 of AutoPOL has been released. This version includes new functionality and a few minor improvements/fixes. The major ones are briefly described below.
Customers with an active Subscription can download this version from the AutoPOL Customer Portal. Partners use AutoPOL Partner Portal.
Do not forget to back-up your AutoPOL Common Files on a regular basis.
General
- Support for new 3D file versions added
The currently supported versions can always be found on www.autopol.com/translators, but the new versions added in this release are the following.
Acis: 2021 (R31)
- CAD-CAM Properties
A new feature is the functionality to import, manage and share CAD-CAM Properties throughout the entire process chain.
All of these properties, including File, Part, Program and Custom properties from the original CAD file, can be accessed using the AutoPOL Industry 4.0 Data Sharing protocol.
This is very useful to, for example, integrate ERP/MRP/MES-systems and use that data for automated quoting, planning, verification, etc, etc.
- Model appearances improved
As of this version, it is possible to set the colour behaviour of 3D models in a more flexible way.
What that means is that you can choose to keep the original colour of the imported model, instead of setting it to the default one.
This is particularly useful when working with assemblies, to make the individual parts more distinctive in their appearance.
This can be set individually for the part depending on whether you are in the model or simulation view.
Another possibility that has been added is to set the model colour based on what material it is. This is a great way to, for example, emphasize the material types for operators.
Unfold
- Assembly filter
Based on the properties of parts in an assembly, sheet metal parts can now be automatically filtered out and separated into individual parts. These are then easily processed in the usual way.
Properties of the individual parts such as material, if available, will also be extracted and used. Also the individual part name will be used throughout the entire process to ensure part and data connections are intact.
This functionality is also available to be used with the Batch & Remote add-on. If an assembly is loaded into the Batch Manager, the filter will be applied and the appropriate parts will be added to the list to process.
Users making their own integrations with the Batch & Remote, from their ERP/MRP/MES etc, can also access this functionality and have their assemblies separated using the same technology. For more into on this, see the Help under Batch & Remote – Developer
- Material alias
It is not unusual that the same material can often be named differently. This often causes confusion and makes automatic processing difficult.
In order to overcome this, we have added the possibility to specify Aliases to each material.
These will be used to translate the Alias found in the CAD file to the corresponding material in AutoPOL automatically.
This ensures smooth and hassle-free processing of a broader range of material definitions.
BendSim
- E-Bend L angle measurement
It is now possible to program the SafanDarley E-Bend L angle measuring system with AutoPOL.
The usage of this feature is really simple and all you have to do is select what Method and Type you want to use. For example, the Checked and Quick method and the 1- or 3-point Type.
AutoPOL will then position the sensors in default positions, making sure the laser projections against the flanges are OK. If no appropriate positions are available, they will be highlighted and the user will need to take action.
You can also specify the interval between the number of parts that should be measured. For example, 1 out of 12.
The estimation of extra time needed to do the angle measurement, compared with not measuring, will also be presented in the software and process documentation.
- Amada Operateur controllers are now supported
FCC Software is happy to announce that from this new version we support the Operateur controls from Amada.
This control is available in different versions, which are now all supported by AutoPOL.
To get access to this new controller, a new activation code is required.
End users with an active Subscription will find their updated code on the AutoPOL Customer Portal.
Partners who wish to get access need to contact FCC Software via email and request their new code.
Batch & Remote
- Open externally generated product list in Batch Manager
Batch Manager now has the possibility to populate the list of parts, and make settings for them, by loading an XML based .apImportBatch file created from an external software system.
It might for example be an ERP system creating the apImportBatch file with parts to process with Batch & Remote. This file you can open in Batch Manager and the entire list is populated from it.
Specifications of the apImportBatch file format can be found in the Help under Batch & Remote – Developer.
- Abort process in Batch Manager
Previously it has not been possible, once started, to abort the processing of parts in Batch Manager. This is now possible.
During the processing, just click the Cancel button and the job will be terminated. If wanted, the process can be restarted and will continue where it was stopped.