Abstract: An apparatus (2) for automatically laying out punching tools on a turret is used in a computer-aided manufacturing system for sheet-metal punching. The system includes a server (1), a database (3), and client computers (7). The apparatus resides in the server, and is used for receiving drawings from the client computers to obtain information on workpieces, selecting punching tools in accordance with sizes and shapes of each type of drawing entity of the workpieces and in accordance with materials of the workpieces and machining allowances set by users, selecting a corresponding tool station on the turret for each of the selected punching tools in accordance with a type of the turret and specifications of the selected punching tool, mounting each punching tool on the corresponding tool station, selecting an optimum manufacturing path for each punching tool, and recording punching tool layout information. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus (2) for automatically laying out punching tools on a turret is used in a computer-aided manufacturing system for sheet-metal punching. The system includes a server (1), a database (3), and a number of client computers (7). The apparatus resides in the server, and is used for receiving drawings from the client computers to obtain information on workpieces, selecting punching tools in accordance with sizes and shape of each type of drawing entity of the workpieces and in accordance with materials of the workpieces and machining allowances set by users, selecting a corresponding tool station on the turret for each of the selected punching tools in accordance with a type of the turret and specifications of the selected punching tool, mounting each punching tool on the corresponding tool station, selecting an optimum manufacturing path for each punching tool, and recording punching tool layout information. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer numerical control (CNC) code-simulating system includes a number of client computers (6), a server (1), and a database (2). The database stores all information used and generated by the system. The client computers provide user interfaces enabling users to timely view information on machining of workpieces. The server is connected to a production management system (5), and is used for: obtaining turret information and machining paths of tools from the database; generating CNC code files according to the turret information and the machining paths of tools; constructing figurations of the tools according to parameters of the tools recorded in the CNC code files; simulating machining of the workpieces according to the figurations, the machining paths and of the tools and the turret information; and exporting relevant production management information to the production management system to generate statements for controlling of machining processes. A related method is also disclosed.