The Technology Database Browser provides an intuitive graphical user interface for Technology Database maintenance in Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal.
The Technology Database Browser reflects the structure of the Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal Technology Database.
• The top-level icon in the Technology Database Browser is labeled Available Shops.
• The icons immediately below the Available Shops icon represent the shop definition files loaded in your current Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal session. The text label to the right of each of these icons tells you the name of the associated shop definition file.
• The vertical branch of icons immediately below each shop definition file icon reflects the structure of the associated shop definition file. See
Technology Database overview for further information.
• The contents of the selection tables displayed via the Technology Database Browser are slightly different from the selection tables displayed via the Shop Based Settings dialog box in Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal. The tables you display via the Technology Database Browser contain all parameters, while the tables you display via the Shop Based Settings dialog box only display parameters that are specified in the :DISPLAY statement in the associated shop definition file.
The general methodology of the Technology Database Browser is similar to that of the Creo Elements/Direct Modeling Structure Browser:
• Click on the plus sign to expand the tree.
• Click on the minus sign to collapse the tree.
Displaying and Updating the Technology Database Browser
To display the Technology Database Browser, click Sheet Metal and then, in the TDB Browser group, click Show.
Following any structural change in a shop definition file (for example, after you have added or removed a complete tool table or after loading a shop definition file), you need to update the Technology Database Browser to implement these changes in your current Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal session. Click Sheet Metal and then, in the TDB Browser group, click Update.
Changing Shop Tables
To change a table of a shop definition file:
1. Display the Technology Database Browser.
2. Select the shop in which you want to change a table.
3. Expand the tree in the Technology Database Browser until you see the icon associated with the table you want to change.
3. The Insert Column dialog box opens. Initially, this menu displays the entries and settings of the column you selected before you clicked Insert. Simply replace these entries as appropriate. See
Inserting a Shop Table Row for an explanation of these entries and settings.
Creating an Additional Shop Definition File via the Technology Database Browser
Edit your own shop definition files. Proceed as follows to create an additional shop definition file:
1. In Shop Based Settings, select the shop on which the new shop definition file will be based.
2. In the Technology Database Browser, right-click and select File > Save Shop. The Save TDB dialog box opens
3. Click File name and specify the filename under which you want to save the shop definition file.
4. Click Shop name and specify a unique name for the shop definition file.
5. Click to save the shop definition file copy.
6. In the Technology Database Browser, right-click and select File > Load Shop.
When you have completed these changes, save the shop definition file.
Saving a Shop Definition File
When you save a shop definition file, any changes in that file are written to disk. Proceed as follows to load a shop definition file using the Technology Database Browser:
1. In the Technology Database Browser, right-click and select File > Save Shop. The Save TDB dialog box opens
2. Click Filename to display the File Browser.
3. Use the File Browser to save the file.
Changing Materials
Proceed as follows to change the materials of an existing shop definition file that is currently loaded (see
Loading a Shop Definition File) in the Technology Database Browser:
1. Click the plus sign to the left of the Materials icon of a shop.
2. Click the plus sign to the left of the Sheet Metals icon to display the Sheet Metals section of this shop.
3. Click the table icon below the Sheet Metals icon to display the Sheet Metals table in Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal.
In the Sheet Metals table, click on the row you want to edit. Then click Edit at the top of the Sheet Metals table. You can change any or all of the following for a given material:
• Material ID
• Material (name)
• Thickness
• Minimum bend radius
Adding a Material
Click Insert at the top of the Sheet Metals table. Then specify the following for the material you want to add:
• Material ID
• Material (name)
• Thickness
• Minimum bend radius
Deleting a Material
In the Sheet Metals table, click the row you want to delete. Then click Delete at the top of the Sheet Metals table.
Changing Bend Processes
Proceed as follows to change a bend process of a shop definition file that is currently loaded (see
Loading a Shop Definition File) in the Technology Database Browser:
1. Click the plus sign to the left of the Bend Processes icon of a shop.
2. Click the plus sign to the left of a bend process icon (such as the Bend Forming icon) to display the subitems of this bend process.
3. Click the table icon below the bend process icon to display the associated bend process table in Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal.
In the Air Bending table, click the row you want to edit. Then click Edit at the top of the Air Bending table. You can change any or all of the following air bending parameters:
• Bend radius
• Die width
• Piston radius
• Piston angle
• Preference status (PREF for preferred tools or NONPREF for non-preferred tools)
• Advice -- if this field contains a dash, Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal fills this column according to checks against maximum material thickness, tool angle and minimum material thickness (if applicable)
Adding an Air Bending Tool
Click Insert at the top of the Air Bending table. Then specify the values for the parameters of the new air bending tool. Refer to
Editing an Air Bending Tool for a list of these parameters.
Deleting an Air Bending Tool
In the Air Bending table, click the row you want to delete. Then click Delete at the top of the Air Bending table.
Changing the Bend Forming Process
You can perform the following changes to the bend forming process:
In the Bend Forming table, click the row you want to edit. Then click Edit at the top of the Bend Forming table. You can change any or all of the following bend forming parameters:
• Bend radius
• Tool angle
• Bend allowance table
• Preference status (PREF for preferred tools or NONPREF for non-preferred tools)
• Maximum material thickness
• Advice -- if this field contains a dash, Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal fills this column according to checks against maximum material thickness, tool angle and minimum material thickness (if applicable)
Adding a Bend Forming Tool
Click Insert at the top of the Bend Forming table. Then specify the values for the parameters of the new bend forming tool. Refer to
Editing a Bend Forming Tool for a list of these parameters.
Deleting a Bend Forming Tool
In the Bend Forming table, click the row you want to delete. Then click Delete at the top of the Bend Forming table.
Changing the Bend Folding Process
You can perform the following changes to the bend folding process:
In the Bend Folding table, click the row you want to edit. Then click Edit at the top of the Bend Folding table. You can change any or all of the following bend folding parameters:
• Bend radius
• Piston angle
• Preference status (PREF for preferred tools or NONPREF for non-preferred tools)
• Advice -- if this field contains a dash, Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal fills this column according to checks against maximum material thickness, tool angle and minimum material thickness (if applicable)
Adding a Bend Folding Tool
Click Insert at the top of the Bend Folding table. Then specify the values for the parameters of the new bend folding tool. Refer to
Editing a Bend Folding Tool for a list of these parameters.
Deleting a Bend Folding Tool
In the Bend Folding table, click the row you want to delete. Then click Delete at the top of the Bend Folding table.
Changing the 3-Point Bending Process
You can perform the following changes to the 3-point bending process:
In the 3 Pnt Bending table, click the row you want to edit. Then click Edit at the top of the 3 Pnt Bending table. You can change any or all of the following 3-point bending parameters:
• Bend radius
• Die width
• Piston radius
• Piston angle
• Preference status (PREF for preferred tools or NONPREF for non-preferred tools)
• Advice -- if this field contains a dash, Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal fills this column according to checks against maximum material thickness, tool angle and minimum material thickness (if applicable)
Adding a 3-Point Bending Tool
Click Insert at the top of the 3 Pnt Bending table. Then specify the values for the parameters of the new 3–point bending tool. Refer to
Editing a 3-Point Bending Tool for a list of these parameters.
Deleting a 3-Point Bending Tool
In the 3 Pnt Bending table, click the row you want to delete. Then click Delete at the top of the 3 Pnt Bending table.
Changing the Special Bend Process
You can perform the following changes to the special bend process:
Click Insert at the top of the Special Bend table. Then specify values for both of the following parameters:
• Bend radius
• Allowance
Editing a Special Bend
In the Special Bend table, click the row you want to edit. Then click Edit at the top of the Special Bend table. You can change either or both of the parameters. Refer to
Adding a Special Bend for a list of these parameters.
Deleting a Special Bend
In the Special Bend table, click the row you want to delete. Then click Delete at the top of the Special Bend table.
Changing Bend Processes 180
This process type is used for bends that have angles greater than 180 degrees. Proceed as follows to change a bend process of a shop definition file that is currently loaded (see
Loading a Shop Definition File) in the Technology Database Browser:
1. Click the plus sign to the left of the Bend Processes 180 icon of a shop.
2. Click the plus sign to the left of Roll Bending to display the subitems of this bend process.
3. Click the table icon below the roll bending icon to display the roll bending process table in Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal.
Click Insert at the top of the Roll Bending table. Then specify the values for the parameters of the new roll bending tool. Refer to
Editing a Roll Bending Tool for a list of these parameters.
Editing a Roll Bending Tool
In the Roll Bending table, click the row you want to edit. Then click Edit at the top of the Roll Bending table. You can change any or all of the following roll bending parameters:
• Bend radius
• Material
• Thickness
• K-factor
Deleting a Roll Bending Tool
In the Roll Bending table, click the row you want to delete. Then click Delete at the top of the Roll Bending table.
Changing Cone Processes
This process type is used for conical bends. Proceed as follows to change a bend process of a shop definition file that is currently loaded (see
Loading a Shop Definition File) in the Technology Database Browser:
1. Click the plus sign to the left of the Cone Processes icon of a shop.
2. Click the plus sign to the left of Cone Bending to display the subitems of this bend process.
3. Click the table icon below the cone bending icon to display the cone bending process table in Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal.
Click Insert at the top of the Cone Bending table. Then specify the values for the parameters of the new cone bending tool. Refer to
Editing a Cone Bending Tool for a list of these parameters.
Editing a Cone Bending Tool
In the Cone Bending table, click the row you want to edit. Then click Edit at the top of the Cone Bending table. You can change any or all of the following cone bending parameters:
• Cone angle
• Material
• Thickness
• K-factor
• Advice
Deleting a Cone Bending Tool
In the Cone Bending table, click the row you want to delete. Then click Delete at the top of the Cone Bending table.
Changing Offset Tools
Proceed as follows to change an offset tool of a shop definition file that is currently loaded (see
Loading a Shop Definition File) in the Technology Database Browser:
1. Click the plus sign to the left of the Offset Processes icon of a shop.
2. Click the plus sign to the left of the Offsets icon.
3. Click the table icon below the Offsets icon to display the associated offset process table in Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal.
In the Offsets table, click the row you want to edit. Then click Edit at the top of the Offsets table. You can change any or all of the following offset parameters:
Height
The tool dimension defining the offset height.
Preference status
PREF for preferred tools or NONPREF for non-preferred tools
Allowance
Reference to the associated allowance table
Maximum thickness
Maximum material thickness to which this offset can be applied
Advice
If this field contains a dash, Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal fills this column according to checks against maximum material thickness and minimum material thickness (if applicable)
Adding an Offset Tool
Click Insert at the top of the Offset table. Then specify the values for the parameters of the new offset tool. Refer to
Editing an Offset Tool for a list of these parameters.
Deleting an Offset Tool
In the Offsets table, click the row you want to delete. Then click Delete at the top of the Offsets table.
Changing Hem Tools
Proceed as follows to change a hem tool of a shop definition file that is currently loaded (see
Loading a Shop Definition File) in the Technology Database Browser:
1. Click the plus sign to the left of the Hem Processes icon of a shop.
2. Click the plus sign to the left of the Hems icon.
3. Click the table icon below the Hems icon to display the associated hem process table in Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal.
In the Hems table, click the row you want to edit. Then click Edit at the top of the Hems table. You can change any or all of the following hem parameters:
Distance
The tool dimension defining the hem distance (double the inner bend radius)
Preference status
PREF for preferred tools or NONPREF for non-preferred tools
Allowance
Reference to the associated allowance table
Maximum thickness
Maximum material thickness to which this offset can be applied
Advice
If this field contains a dash, Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal fills this column according to checks against maximum material thickness and minimum material thickness (if applicable)
Adding a Hem Tool
Click Insert at the top of the Hem table. Then specify the values for the parameters of the new hem tool. Refer to
Editing a Hem Tool for a list of these parameters.
Deleting a Hem Tool
In the Hems table, click the row you want to delete. Then click Delete at the top of the Hems table.
Changing Bend or Corner Relief Tools
Proceed as follows to change a bend relief tool of a shop definition file that is currently loaded (see
Loading a Shop Definition File) in the Technology Database Browser:
1. Click the plus sign to the left of the Bend Reliefs or Corner Relief icon of a shop.
2. Click the plus sign to the left of the Rectangular Relief or Round Relief icon.
3. Click the table icon below the same bend relief icon to display the associated bend relief or corner table in Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal.
In the Bend Relief or Corner Relief table, click the row you want to edit. Then click Edit at the top of the relief tool table. You can change any or all of the following relief tool parameters:
Horiz or Dia or Width
The tool dimension defining the relief size
Tool ID
The tool identification number
Description
A descriptive tool name
Minimum thickness
Minimum material thickness to which this relief can be applied
Maximum thickness
Maximum material thickness to which this relief tool can be applied
Preference status
PREF for preferred tools or NONPREF for non-preferred tools
Advice
If this field contains a dash, Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal fills this column according to checks against maximum material thickness and minimum material thickness (if applicable)
Adding a Bend or Corner Relief Tool
Click Insert at the top of the Bend Relief or Corner Relief table. Then specify the values for the parameters of the new relief tool. Refer to
Editing a Bend or Corner Relief Tool for a list of these parameters.
Deleting a Bend or Corner Relief Tool
In the Bend Relief or Corner Relief table, click the row you want to delete. Then click Delete at the top of the Bend Relief or Corner Relief table.
Changing Punch Tools
Via the Technology Database Browser, you can edit the entry of an existing punch tool type in the "Punch Types" table as well as the associated punch tool table.
Any punch tool used in Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal requires a tool type entry and a description entry in the Punch Types table of the associated shop description file (see
Loading a Shop Definition File).
Proceed as follows to change entries in the Punch Types table:
1. Click the plus sign to the left of the Cut Processes icon of a shop.
2. Click the plus sign to the left of the Punch Types icon.
3. Click the table icon below the Punch Types icon to display the associated Punch Types table in Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal.
The entries for a punch tool type in the Punch Types table must match the tool type ID specified in the associated tool table. However, a different description (such as an abbreviation of the complete description used in the table) may be specified. The following definitions apply:
Tool Type
A brief type designator of the punch tool.
Description
A brief description of the punch tool
For example, the Round punch tool is declared as follows:
Tool Type
rnd
Description
Round
• The same tool type (rnd) is specified in the Round punch tool table header in the underlying shop definition file.
• The same description (Round) is specified as the Round punch tool table title in the underlying shop definition file. See
Punch for further details.
Editing an Entry in the Punch Types Table
In the Punch Types table, click the row you want to edit. Then click Edit at the top of the Punch Types table.
In the Punch Types table, click the row you want to delete. Then click Delete at the top of the Punch Types table.
By deleting an entry from the Punch Types table, you can remove the associated punch tool from the selection dialog in Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal. Note that the associated punch tool table (see
Changing a Punch Tool Table) will remain in the shop file for eventual re-use.
Changing a Punch Tool Table
Each punch tool type declared in the Punch Types table requires an associated punch tool table in the same shop definition file. See
General Constraint for Punch Type Entries.
The punch tool table contains all of the parameter values of a given punch tool type.
Proceed as follows to change entries in the tool table of a given punch tool type:
1. Click the plus sign to the left of the Cut Processes icon of a shop.
2. Click the plus sign to the left of the Punch Types icon.
3. Scroll down the Technology Database Browser until you see the icon of the punch tool type whose table you want to edit.
4. Click on the plus sign to the left of that punch tool type icon (such as Round).
5. Click the table icon below that punch tool type icon to display the associated punch tool table in Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal.
In the punch tool table (such as Round), click the row you want to edit. Then click Edit at the top of the punch tool table. Edit the punch tool parameters as required.
Adding a Punch Tool
Click Insert at the top of the punch tool table. Then specify the values for the parameters of the new punch tool.
Deleting a Punch Tool
In the punch tool table, click on the row you want to delete. Then click Delete at the top of the punch tool table.
Adding Custom Punch Tool Types to a Shop Definition File
All of the punch tools supplied with Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal are parametric (see
Punch). If you want to add a punch tool of the same type as an existing parametric punch tool, follow the instructions in
Editing a Punch Tool or
Adding a Punch Tool.
Via the Technology Database Browser, you can edit the entry of an existing stamp tool type in the "Stamp Types" table as well as the associated stamp tool table.
Any stamp tool used in Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal requires a tool type entry and a description entry in the Stamp Types table of the associated shop description file (see
Loading a Shop Definition File).
Proceed as follows to change entries in the Stamp Types table:
1. Click the plus sign to the left of the Stamp Processes icon of a shop.
2. Click the plus sign to the left of the Stamp Types icon.
3. Click the table icon below the Stamp Types icon to display the associated Stamp Types table in Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal.
The entries for a stamp tool type in the Stamp Types table must match the tool type ID specified in the associated tool table. However, a different description (such as an abbreviation of the complete description used in the table) may be specified. The following definitions apply:
Tool Type
A brief type designator of the stamp tool.
Description
A brief description of the stamp tool
For example, the Countersink Round stamp tool is declared as follows:
Tool Type
csnk_rnd
Description
Countersink Round
• The same tool type (csnk_rnd) is specified in the Countersink Round stamp tool table header in the underlying shop definition file.
• The description (Countersink Round) is specified as the Countersink Round stamp tool table title in the underlying shop definition file. See
Stamp for further details.
Editing an Entry in the Stamp Types Table
In the Stamp Types table, click the row you want to edit. Then click Edit at the top of the Stamp Types table.
In the Stamp Types table, click the row you want to delete. Then click Delete at the top of the Stamp Types table.
By deleting an entry from the Stamp Types table, you can remove the associated stamp tool from the selection dialog in Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal. Note that the associated stamp tool table (see
Changing a Stamp Tool Table) will remain in the shop file for eventual re-use.
Changing a Stamp Tool Table
Each stamp tool type declared in the Stamp Types table requires an associated stamp tool table in the same shop definition file. See
General Constraint for Stamp Type Entries.
The stamp tool table contains all of the parameter values of a given stamp tool type.
Proceed as follows to change entries in the tool table of a given stamp tool type.
1. Click the plus sign to the left of the Stamp Processes icon of a shop.
2. Click the plus sign to the left of the Stamp Types icon.
3. Scroll down the Technology Database Browser until you see the icon of the stamp tool type whose table you want to edit.
4. Click on the plus sign to the left of that stamp tool type icon (such as Countersink Round).
5. Click the table icon below that stamp tool type icon to display the associated stamp tool table in Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal.
In the stamp tool table (such as Countersink Round), click the row you want to edit. Then click Edit at the top of the stamp tool table. Edit the stamp tool parameters as required.
Adding a Stamp Tool
Click Insert at the top of the stamp tool table. Then specify the values for the parameters of the new stamp tool.
Deleting a Stamp Tool
In the stamp tool table, click on the row you want to delete. Then click Delete at the top of the stamp tool table.
Adding Custom Stamp Tool Types to a Shop Definition File
All of the stamp tools supplied with Creo Elements/Direct Sheet Metal are parametric (see
Parametric Stamp Tool Example). If you want to add a stamp tool of the same type as an existing parametric stamp tool, follow the instructions in
Editing a Stamp Tool or
Adding a Stamp Tool.
Show.
Update.
to save the shop definition file copy.