By combining Cimatron and Altair Inspire Form, scrap and rework are minimized while processes become more efficient and robust. The number of physical tryouts and tool adjustments are significantly reduced, development timelines are shortened, and costs are substantially lowered.
Download Brochure
Cimatron combines CAD design with intelligent forming simulation to create a seamless workflow tailored specifically for small and medium-sized businesses. The result is a solution that allows users to optimize forming surfaces, detect risks early, and manage processes more efficiently.
With Altair Inspire Form simulation software, critical problem areas in sheet-metal forming — such as wrinkles, cracks, and material build-up — can be identified before tools are built. This saves time, costs, and tryout iterations.
Cimatron’s direct interface between CAD design and forming simulation bridges the gap between the tool development and tryout processes.
Toolmakers and product developers in small and medium-sized enterprises are under pressure to produce increasingly complex parts with tight production schedules and require solutions that streamline processes and conserve resources.
A fully integrated tool development process — from initial geometry to finished forming — is often not possible, as design and simulation capabilities are traditionally separated.
Cimatron presents a new approach to the traditionally established workflow: Instead of performing design and simulation separately, the focus is on seamless integration. The outcome is practical, efficient support for toolmaking.
Cimatron CAD/CAM software, developed specifically for mold, die, and toolmaking, provides the capabilities required for design. Using neutral interfaces, forming surfaces are transferred from the Cimatron design environment and into Altair Inspire Form simulation software, which is also provided by Cimatron.
Using these tools, sheet-metal forming operations are simulated and users receive feedback on critical areas, material behavior, and optimization possibilities.
Specialized modules are available to perform virtual tryouts of classic deep-drawing processes, as well as for multi-stage applications — such as hydroforming, flexforming, and hydromechanical forming.
Due to the surface-based workflow, simulation can be applied quickly and directly to design geometries without the need for complex meshing or model preparation. A powerful FEM solver for shell and solid elements ensures reliable and fast simulation results, which can be automatically compiled into structured reports using Altair Inspire Form.
Instead of performing design and simulation separately, a flexible, iterative workflow emerges. Stamping and forming tools can be digitally planned, simulated, adjusted, and optimized.
By simulating early in the process, much of the work is shifted to the preparation phase, reducing shop-floor hours.
For added process security, integrated robustness analysis based on DOE (design of experiments) enables systematic optimization of both geometry and process parameters. Altair Inspire Form offers functions typically found only in premium solutions at an accessible cost, making it fast, practical, and feasible even for smaller companies.
| PROBLEM | SOLUTION |
|---|---|
| You lose time and money due to long tryouts, rework, and design errors. | With Altair Inspire Form, you identify issues early, optimize tool layouts, and simulate even multi-stage forming processes before the first tool is built. |
| Wrinkles and cracks are often discovered only after the tool has been built. | Altair Inspire Form detects critical zones in the early design phase, helping you avoid costly rework. |
| Material and time are wasted due to inaccurately cut blanks. | Altair Inspire Form assists with optimal blank design, ensuring precise cuts and minimizing scrap. |
| You struggle with variations in material, tooling, or process parameters. | Altair Inspire Form realistically simulates variable factors, increasing process robustness. |
| Development takes too long because errors are caught late, requiring multiple tool adjustments. | Altair Inspire Form simulates directly from the CAD model, evaluates formability early, and allows rapid changes. This helps avoid lengthy tryout loops thanks to springback compensation directly in the simulation. |
| Complex parts with unclear feasibility and high risk. | Altair Inspire Form analyzes material flow, tool performance, and draw concepts, giving you confidence when evaluating challenging forming processes. |
| Last-minute design changes introduce risks and delays. | Altair Inspire Form enables quick virtual validation of adjustments, reducing real-world tests, costs, and uncertainty. |
| Surface defects are especially critical for visible parts. | Altair Inspire Form highlights strain distribution, wrinkle indices, and material flow early, enabling precise coordination of geometry and tooling parameters before design approval. |
With the availability of personalized support, getting started is easy.
The software is intuitive enough for occasional users and practitioners to master with minimal training. Additionally, the integrated material library provides a comprehensive database for realistic results, even for complex forming operations.
Cimatron provides a complete solution that connects design and simulation and includes personalized support for project development, tool design, successful in-house implementation, and more. The Cimatron solution is unique in the market and makes high-end engineering accessible for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Follow us on
