Apparatus and method for managing and distributing design and manufacturing information throughout a sheet metal production facility

A method for developing a bending plan through the use of a graphical user interface, said bending plan being adapted for use in the production of a part at a facility, said method comprising:

• generating and displaying a bend sequence input window on a display device, said bend sequence input window comprising a 2-D flat image of said part;
• entering, with an input device, a bend sequence based on said 2-D flat image of said part;
• generating and displaying tooling information on said display device, said tooling information relating to a plurality of tools;
• selecting, with said input device, tooling based on said tooling information displayed on said display device;
• and
• storing, in a storage device, said bending plan for said part based on said entered bend sequence and said selected tooling;
• said method further comprising generating and displaying a plurality of images of said part on said display device based on said entered bend sequence, each of said plurality of images of said part relating to a representation of said part at a stage within said bend sequence, said generating and displaying including simultaneously displaying said plurality of images of said part on said display device in a sequence corresponding to said bend sequence.

A system for developing a bend sequence through the use of a graphical user interface, said bend sequence being adapted for use in the production of a part at a facility, said system comprising:

• a bend sequence display system for generating and displaying a bend sequence input window on a display device, said bend sequence input window comprising a 2-D flat image of said part;
• and
• an input device for entering a bend sequence based on said 2-D flat image of said part;
• wherein said bend sequence display system is further adapted to generate and display a plurality of images of said part based on said bend sequence entered by said input device, each of said plurality of images of said part relating to a representation of said part at a stage within said bend sequence, said plurality of images of said part being simultaneously displayed on said display device in a sequence corresponding to said bend sequence.

A method for developing a bend sequence through the use of a graphical user interface, said bend sequence being adapted for use in the production of a part at a facility, said method comprising the steps of:

• generating and displaying a bend sequence input window on a display device, said bend sequence input window comprising a 2-D flat image of said part;
• entering, through an input device, a bend sequence based on said 2-D flat image of said part;
• and
• generating and displaying a plurality of images of said part based on said bend sequence entered by said input device, each of said plurality of images of said part relating to a representation of said part at a stage within said bend sequence,
• said method further comprising simultaneously displaying said plurality of images of said part on said display device in a sequence corresponding to said bend sequence.

A system for developing tooling for a part through the use of a graphical user interface, said tooling being adapted for use in the production of said part at a facility, said system comprising:

• a tooling display system for generating and displaying tooling information on said display device, said tooling information being displayed through a series of successively displayed screen displays;
• and
• an input device for selecting tooling based on said tooling information displayed on said display device;
• said tooling display system being adapted to display, on said display device, a first screen display comprising a plurality of tool type icons, each of said tool type icons representing a tool type, and said tooling display system being further adapted to display, in response to the selection of one of said tool type icons, a second screen display on said display device, said second screen display comprising a plurality of tool shape icons.

A method for developing tooling for a part through the use of a graphical user interface, said tooling being adapted for use in the production of said part at a facility, said method comprising the steps of:

• generating and displaying tooling information on said display device, said tooling information being displayed on a series of successively displayed screen displays;
• and
• selecting, with an input device, tooling based on said tooling information displayed on said display device;
• said method further comprising displaying, on said display device, a first screen display comprising a plurality of tool type icons, each of said tool type icons relating to a tool type, selecting one of said tool type icons with said input device, and displaying, in response to the selection of one of said tool type icons, a second screen display on said display device, said second screen display comprising a plurality of tool shape icons.