Do you still work with several drawing programmes to be able to load the right files into the software of your machining centres? HiCAD includes relevant functionalities for metalworkers, which save you the trouble of constantly switching between programs. Both 2D and 3D models are easily generated with HiCAD. View multiple views automatically and deliver the drawings directly to the machine or production. Below, we have listed five benefits that will enable you to carry out customer projects more accurately and efficiently.
In HiCAD, you can create automatic sheet metal lay-out by unfolding a 3D model. In doing so, the programme takes into account bending corrections. When you fold sheet metal, the material stretches, which means that the dimensions of the folded sheet are larger than those of the unfolded sheet. The correct sheet metal bending ensures that the sheet metal meets the requirements and the dimensions of the 3D model.
Customers deliver their files in all kind of forms. Then it is practical when, for example, you can easily convert a STEP or DXF file to 3D sheet metal. Imagine if you had to do all that manually! It is extremely time-consuming and the risk of errors is much higher than when it is done automatically. With HiCAD, you load a STEP file, convert the solid to sheet metal and automatically generate the 3D sheet metal result with your own bending corrections. Files can thus be exchanged without any problems, regardless of whether customers and suppliers work with DXF, DWG, STEP or IFC files.
HiCAD offers specific functionalities for sheet metal work, such as applying bending simulation, closing corners and making settlements. You are not working with a solid, but are actually turning it into sheet metal. You can even sketch two different shapes on top of each other, for example from a round to a square and pull sheet metal from 1 sketch to the other. HiCAD, as specialist CAD software, is ideally suited for sheet metal modelling.
If you are a metalworker and you produce sheet metal and profiles, such as aluminium tubes or pipes, you often need two drawing packages. With HiCAD, you can request sheet metal and profiles and process them directly in the same programme. You generate a DXF file for sheet metal, an NC file for profiles or a STEP file for both. With the generated files, you can control both the sheet metal machines and the drill and saw. The big advantage is that draftsmen only need to work with one package, which also saves considerably on licensing costs.
HiCAD makes the designer’s work much easier and more efficient. When the CAD drawing is ready, the workshop drawing, 3D view and sheet metal are delivered at the push of a button. Including dimensions. HiCAD can also be used for other types of production documents, such as parts lists. The workshop drawings, whether DXF, STEP or NC files, are used to control the CAM software of your machines.
Convinced about the advantages of HiCAD for your metal business, but you are curious about the details of the program? We would like to show you more in a handy 10-minute video. Go to the video and discover how HiCAD can help your business grow.