Patent ID: 7228196

Claim:
A computer-aided manufacturing system for sheet-metal punching which can automatically select and lay out punching tools, optimize turrets, generate CNC code files and simulate machining of workpieces, comprising: a plurality of client computers for providing user interfaces enabling users to transmit client drawings and obtain machining drawings of the workpieces; a database for storing information including the client drawings, punching tool information, turret information, punching tool layout information, production management information, and machining drawings and statements, wherein turret information comprises types and a machining sequence of punching tools on each turret; and a server comprising: a punching tool selecting module for selecting an optimum punching tool for each type of drawing entity of the workpieces according to sizes and a shape of the type of drawing entity and machining allowances set by one or more users; a punching tool layout module for selecting a corresponding tool station on a turret for each selected punching tool according to a type of the turret and specifications of the selected punching tool, mounting the selected punching tool in the corresponding tool station, and selecting an optimum machining path for the selected punching tool; a turret optimizing module for setting a machining sequence for the selected punching tools, and optimizing a sequence of locations of the selected punching tools on each turret according to the machining sequence and the principle that punching tools are changed in the shortest possible time; a CNC (computer numerical control) code generating module for generating CNC code files according to the optimized turret information and the machining paths of the punching tools, and saving the CNC code files in the database; and a CNC code-simulating module for constructing figurations of the punching tools according to the CNC code files, simulating machining of the workpieces according to the turret information, the figurations and the machining paths of the punching tools, and generating machining drawings of the workpieces.