The leading supplier of software solutions for sheet metal forming industry, AutoForm Engineering GmbH, has announced an enhanced version of EasyBlank. By extending the capability of EasyBlank via a new add-on module, which enables the import of various native CAD files, this enhanced version adds more value.

Making the compatibility and interoperability of CAD formats a challenge, today's CAD market is saturated with a diversity of products. The majority of users, which depend on different CAD data providers, have to convert the data to a generic industry standard such as IGES. Loss in data quality and a disruption of workflow is very often impliesd by this conversion. AutoForm, based on feedback from customers, has enhanced EasyBlank by creating an add-on module. This module enables the direct import of various native CAD files, avoiding the need to convert different CAD data into standard formats.

The user, within the EasyBlank software, now imports not only IGES and VDA files but also the native files generated by CATIA V4, CATIA V5, I-DEAS, Pro/ENGINEER, SolidWorks and Unigraphics NX. The license for the add-on module can be purchased online. By obtaining a free of charge, one week trial version, users can experience the new functionality first hand.

EasyBlank is free downloadable software, which enables online purchasing of reports. Using the well known AutoForm-OneStep technology, EasyBlank rapidly calculates the developed blank outline from CAD part geometry. In addition, EasyBlank is specialized for determining the optimal nesting layout. All the existing features make the software attractive for tool and die shops as well as for stamping companies. Users can purchase online the reports that contain detailed information on material consumption, blank outline, thinning distribution of the part and optimal nesting layout. The benefits of such a report are early cost analysis, minimization of material costs and material usage and finally minimized scrap.
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