Punching

Automatic Punching

Automatic Punching option of cncKad, called AutoPunch, uses predefined rules pertaining to preferred tools, minimizing tool changes, part handling, MicroJoints, material, and thickness.

AutoPunch saves time by allowing you to set all the parameters that control the automatic execution of the punches in one place:

Crunches on notches and holes
Part Handling
Predefined Shapes
MicroJoints
Slitting
Special processing
Tool selection from the Tools Library
Display of punch warnings and limits

At the core of cncKad lies the expert knowledge system, containing the technology data that allows cncKad to make intelligent choices about process parameters and tool selection.

Despite the high degree of automation, the operator can take control of the process at any time, changing the selected tools.

There are two options for running AutoPunch:

For the whole part
On just one entity at a time

Notch Treatment

cncKad can process various types of inner notches starting from simple single notches to complex corner notches with bend relief and chamfers, or corner double notches with bend relief.

AutoPunch can process the major types of notches: corner notch, corner notch with chamfer, and right angled triangle notch.

Predefined Shapes

See a video of how predefined shapes work

When you have a shape that requires specific processing, e.g., a specialized notch, you can save this shape together with the processing you defined for it as a predefined shape.

Once you do this, AutoPunch recognizes this shape in any part you process and applies your custom definitions. You can create a library of such shapes for cncKad to use.

Special Processing

Automatic Punching: Special Processing The round shape in the image has special processing applied to it

You can create special processing profiles, mapping them to the current material and thickness combination.

With this type of processing you can create special punching for particular cases of unusual round or polygon-shaped holes, which may be very large or very small. This causes the holes to be processed differently from the current processing definitions. For those holes you can apply complex processing including punching, pre-tapping, tapping, and extruding.

This efficient and time-saving feature is particularly useful when you regularly use tapping or beveling.

Part Handling

You can define default settings for handling parts, thereby streamlining how automatic punching (AutoPunch) handles them.

You add an unlimited number of contour sizes defined by X and Y dimensions, and for each defined contour size, you assign an action for a part or a hole, depending on your machine’s abilities. You can set defaults such as

MicroJoints/WireJoint placement
MicroJoint/ WireJoint width
Push out
Picking up the part or hole (scrap)
Stopping the machine after specific processing

All part handling settings pertain to a specific material and thickness combination
for a particular machine.

WireJoint and MicroJoint Positioning

AutoPunch with WireJoints
cncKad AutoPunch provides many possibilities for placing MicroJoints and WireJoints on entities to be processed. You can place them at corners, on part sides, and at designated intervals, using specific MicroJoint tools. The placement can be manual or automatic using the Part Handling table to indicate their size, minimum number, spacing, and preferred position.