A CAD designer can create data to streamline the entire die-building process, saving time and money in the toolroom. As a die designer/toolmaker/CNC programmer, I've worked for companies that subcontract die designs. I receive these designs and oversee the die-building operation. Through years of experience, I've fine-tuned my style of CAD designing for manufacturing, putting much more into the process as opposed to using a computer and CAD program as a drawing board, and fixing problems during tryout. Design is 10 percent of the die cost, so says conventional wisdom. Actually, that percentage varies. A CAD designer can create data that streamlines the entire die-building process, and additional time spent in design can save far more time and money, resulting from decreased press-tryout time in the toolroom. Also, the use of solid modeling and toleranced part prints allows machinists, as opposed to diemakers, to create die details.
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