eta/DYNAFORM is the most accurate die analysis solution available today. Its formability simulation creates a "virtual tryout", predicting forming problems such as cracking, wrinkling, thinning and springback before any physical tooling is produced. Integrated into eta/DYNAFORM is the analysis engine, LS-DYNA, which is capable of implicit and explicit solutions for a complete and accurate forming analysis.

One Simple Interface: eta/DYNAFORM encompasses the entire die system process in one simple interface. By simulating every detail during the design stage, eta/DYNAFORM ensures the highest quality formed part and best manufacturing process. The system guides the engineer through cost estimation, quoting, die face design and formability analysis. Then, in a virtual environment, moves the part through the stamping process inside the plant - station by station. eta/DYNAFORM simulates trimming/shedding and scrap removal and analyzes die structural integrity. Finally, eta/DYNAFORM evaluates the part transfer process within the die system and simulates the behavior of the part during shipping.

A Solid Infrastructure: eta/DYNAFORM offers NURBS based CAD surfaces capability. This allows eta/DYNAFORM's mesh-based technology to maintain full parametric associativity throughout the entire simulation process. LS-DYNA, the most powerful solver in its class, is the engine within eta/DYNAFORM. Offering tremendous calculation power to support difficult modeling and simulation challenges within a die system, these powerful processing and solving technologies enable eta/DYNAFORM to meet the needs of users today and those in the future.

eta/DYNAFORM offers the convenience and ease of multi-station progressive die simulation and multiple tool creation through the power and versatility of the AutoSetup function.

The Most Accurate & Cost-Effective Solution: The clear price/performance leader in the industry, eta/DYNAFORM offers pin-point accuracy in every detail and is the key reason die designers all over the world have turned to eta/DYNAFORM for the most precise analysis possible.

SOLVER: LS-DYNA®: The powerful dual-solver is the engine that powers the efficient processing environment of eta/DYNAFORM, making it a complete simulation solution package. LS-DYNA uniquely offers both explicit & implicit solutions that can be seamlessly switched to correctly simulate the physics of virtually all engineering concerns of a die system including formability, springback, springback compensation, trimming, and flanging. LS-DYNA™ is a trademark of Livermore Software Technology Corporation.

MODULES:

BSE - Blank Size Engineering - The BSE module is a complete solution for accurate blank size estimation, nesting to maximize material utilization, piece price and scrap calculation.  BSE is based on a one-step algorithm for rapid calculation.   Potential forming failure due to excessive blank thinning is detected through an inverse method. BSE also creates a forming limit diagram (FLD) map for feasibility review.

DFE - Die Face Engineering - Based on the product design of a panel, the DFE module offers capabilities of both CAD surface and CAE meshing tools. DFE Interactively generates binder surfaces, addendum profiles/surfaces, PO Lines and layout drawbeads with full associativity between FEA mesh and surfaces. A preliminary die face is created for further formability studies with an iterative process until die face validation is achieved.

FS - Formability Simulation - The FS module is a complete incremental die simulation program for quickly generating formability results at a very early stage of the product design cycle. It is suited for design feasibility analysis and verification.  Stress, strain and thickening results are plotted and a complete forming limit diagram (FLD) is generated. It is a proven tool for uncovering hidden problem areas.

DSA Die System Analysis - DSA offers an LS-DYNA based FEA solution to analyze die system operations including scrap shedding/removal, die structural integrity and sheet metal transferring/handling. Further development will include trimming, flanging and hemming operations.

The immediate benefit is a reduction in tool development costs:

• Simulations are quickly and easily created, speeding up the design cycle
• Physical tooling is no longer required to test a proposal's viability
• The impact of tool development on production capacity is minimized
• eta/DYNAFORM creates an optimal solution that balances competing influences such as cost vs quality

More benefits offer security and innovation:

• Consistency - eta/DYNAFORM creates a die design methodology, capturing the development process. Tool development is moved from a individual skill to a corporate resource. It can be used as a central software tool where lessons learned are feed into future tool designs.
   
  
• Reliability - Confidently make an upfront commitment to meet a client's requirements within their time & cost constraints
   
  
• Understanding - eta/DYNAFORM reveals the physics controlling the forming process. This insight provides the reassurance to deliver innovative tooling capable of forming unconventional materials or geometry - a true competitive advantage
   
  
• Low Volume Tooling - eta/DYNAFORM facilitates a faster, lower cost production forming capability providing a level of agility and flexibility beyond the competition