TopSolid'Progress is a CAD solution for the design of progressive tools for sheet metal forming. Since 2004 Missler Software has worked closely with AutoForm Engineering, specialist in the die face design and sheet metal forming process simulation software notably for the automobile industry, to create unfolding techniques which are directly accessible in TopSolid. The first stage of this collaboration was completed with the creation of the module BlankWizard in January 2005. The second stage happened with the launch of TopSolid'Progress 2006 and the creation of the new module FormingWizard. Let's take a closer look at TopSolid'Progress, BlankWizard and FormingWizard.

In addition to incorporating all those functions standard to TopSolid, TopSolid'Progress enables the successful blank determination of a sheet metal part and the design of the strip layout in half the time needed by a standard CAD software. The software manages all cutting, folding and deforming stages of the sheet metal, creation of the die set, addition of standard components together with their machining processes, creation of punches, non-standard matrices and draft creation.

BlankWizard, a module available with TopSolid'Progress since the beginning of 2005, integrates AutoForm Engineering's forming simulation technology to enable the die designer to rapidly define the required blank and design the strip in a completely associative process. BlankWizard is also available for purchase directly with the module TopSolid'Design. Companies working with TopSolid'Design will use BlankWizard to obtain the cutting contours of parts which cannot be folded/unstamped using « classical » methods. This module is also very useful for calculating the surface of the part and thereby calculating the amount of material needed at the estimate stage, in particular for parts created by stamping or progress tool processes.

For further information please click here.

All you have to do is submit your project (format jpg, tiff, … and a brief description of the project) for one of the following categories:

• Mechanical design, general design
• Wood and sheet metal design
• Tool making

The lucky winners (1 from each category) will have a selection of prizes to choose from:

• An all expenses paid weekend away for 2
• An integrated PDA/GPS
• A smartphone
• An Ipod
• A state-of-the-art laptop computer

For further details and contest rules see www.topsolid.com/news/designcontest

The Metiss JLC motorbike team recently finished 8th overall in the renowned Bol D'Or endurance motorbike race. This is an exceptional result for a private team, as a rule of thumb the first five places are accessible only to those professional teams with important investment capabilities. (In the "Open" category reserved for prototype bikes the Metiss JLC team was classed in first position)

The Metiss JLC team is sponsored by Missler Software and TopSolid is used in the design and manufacturing of various parts of the team's motorbikes. The team uses a highly unique breaking system based on triangles rather than a fork. In fact it is the only team in the endurance championships using such a prototype break system.

On July 28th the President of the Togo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Georges Sedoh, hosted a conference on the use of CAD/CAM software in Togan industry and schools. TopSolid was the software chosen to demonstrate the huge time and cost advantages to be gained by Togan industry through the implementation of an integrated CAD/CAM solution.

The advantages of an integrated system were further demonstrated by the company SN-SOSUCO based in Burkina Faso, who uses TopSolid for the design and manufacture of its cane cutting machines.

Company Kröger is a tool and die manufacturer based in Lohne, Germany. To optimise the internal digital process-chain Kröger uses the following TopSolid modules: TopSolid’Design, TopSolid’Mold, TopSolid’Cam, TopSolid’Electrode and TopSolid’Wire.

According to the managing director of Kröger the main advantage of the use of CAD/CAM software from Missler Software has been the subsequent speed up of the company's manufacturing process. Thanks to the integration of the software, turn-around times have been reduced which has meant time and cost savings and therefore a competitive advantage for Kröger.


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You are a TopSolid operator and you would like some tips on what your software is capable of doing. Each newsletter will include a highlight of the month accompanied by an avi of a TopSolid module.
This month let's take a look at TopSolid'Cam and inclined turning operations.

Video commentary

Isoparametric sweeping
Isoparametric sweeping enables the machining of surfaces by taking into account the direction of the curves that make up these surfaces. The direction of these curves is not always suitable for direct machining using a CAM software. TopSolid'Cam enables the operator to generate a "model "surface in which the isoparametric curves are in the desired direction to enable surface sweeping. How does this work? The surface sweeping of the "model" surface is projected onto the real part surface and thereby enables the correct machining of the part. The simple example shown in this video show the sweeping of a single "model" surface which is projected onto the entire part. This technique can of course be applied locally to specific surfaces.

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2 formats are possible: AVI and WMV

• To read the AVI file the Techsmith codec has to be installed first, click here to download it.
• To read the WMV file the lastest version of Windows Media Player available here is required

All Missler Software and reseller trade fairs will be published here each month and can also be found on http://www.topsolid.com/news/shows/showslist.asp

Missler Software has just recently partipated in 2 major trade fairs in the USA:

IMTS, held every 2 years in Chicago, is a leading US manufacturing trade fair. According to Eric Gerval, Sales Manager for the Americas "The US mechanical engineering market is a very important market for Missler Software. It is a tough market with a lot of very strong competition. We are, however, very confident about the potential of TopSolid in this market. We offer a unique solution in that complete integration is guaranteed from design right through to manufacturing. This concept remains quite new to the US market so we are very confident about our potential here. "

IWF, one of the most important woodworking trade fairs to be held in the USA, marked the launch of TopSolid'Wood and TopSolid'WoodCam on this market.

"The wood market is a relative newcomer to the CAD/CAM world" explains Eric Gerval. "Complex custom design and the need to cut design times creates a market hunger for the most modern and powerful CAD/CAM software.

TopSolid'Wood and TopSolid'WoodCam have been produced especially for the wood industry and is the only software solution out there offering complete integration from design to manufacturing. Now furniture manufacturers, store fixture companies and interior designers can take full advantage of dedicated wood solid modelling with parametrics and complete associativity with a CAM solution. We are definitely excited about this market, especially having seen the enthusiasm of woodworking companies who came to visit us on the show."