HPRODIE: using feature modelling and feature mapping to speed up progressive die design

For various reasons, the advances in progressive die design remain too slow compared with the increasing importance of progressive dies in modern indu stry. Aimed at speeding up the design process, HPRODIE, an integrated CAD/C AM system for progressive dies, was developed. In HPRODIE, three features-t he product feature for the representation of sheet metal parts, the stampin g process feature for the strip layout, and the die design feature for buil ding the die assembly model-are introduced respectively to represent three life-cycle aspects of sheet metal parts. Feature mapping methods are employ ed to transfer the design information between different design stages at hi gh-level semantics. With feature modelling and feature mapping, most of des ign processes can be carried out automatically. The testing results have sh own that the design cycle has been cut down significantly by using this sys tem.