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      <title>Die Base Overview</title>
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      <div class="title_topic2" id="xps10_pagetitle">Die Base Overview</div>
      <hr noshade="true">
      <p class="para_topic">A die base consists of an assembly of standard parts, including plates, guide pins, guide bushings, and screws. </p>
      <p class="para_topic">&nbsp;Die Base lets you lay out a die base. Any die base in the libraries can be inserted into a PDW project assembly.</p>
      <p class="para_topic">After you've inserted a die base, the Shut Height is displayed in the Die Base dialog box. </p>
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         <p align="center"><img align="bottom" src="graphics/ico_t_die_base.gif"></p>
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      <div class="title_figure">Die Base Icon</div>
      <div class="title_division">Starting the Die Base module</div>
      <p class="para_division">You start the PDW Die Base module by clicking the Die Base button on the toolbar, or by selecting &nbsp;Tools&rarr;Process Specific&rarr;Progressive Die Wizard. Either method displays the Die Base Management dialog, which has two tabs: Standard Die Base and Design Tools.</p>
      <div class="title_division">Standard Die Base tab</div>
      <p class="para_division">The Standard Die Base tab provides pull-down menus, selection windows, a parameter illustration, buttons, and value entry fields.</p>
      <div class="title_division">Load Diebase Only (Don't Update Parameters)</div>
      <p class="para_division">This option loads the die base and without updating any parameters. You can use this option to reuse a die base (using  <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('pdw/die_base_overview.html#die_base_db_ov_Save');return(false);">Save as Template</a>).
      </p>
      <div class="title_division">Rename Dialog</div>
      <p class="para_division">This option lets you rename a component before loading the die base. </p>
      <p class="para_division"><img align="bottom" src="graphics/checkmark.gif" border="0"> You must first set the environment variable MW_ENABLE_CUSTOM_NAME: ON using the <b class="uiTerm">Progressive Die Wizard Customer Defaults</b> option in the <b class="uiTerm">NX Customer Defaults </b>utility. For more information, see <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('pdw/pdw_defaults.html');return(false);">Setting Defaults and Preferences.</a></p>
      <div class="title_division">Catalog selection</div>
      <p class="para_division">The Catalog pull-down menu shows which catalog is open in the current configuration. To select a catalog, choose its name from the list. The catalog list is dependent on the project units (English or Metric) and the die base register file, which you can edit to customize your installation. For example, when the project units are in inches, only die base catalog names defined in the English sheet of the register file are shown in the Catalog list.</p>
      <div class="title_division">Type selection</div>
      <p class="para_division">Every die base catalog has its own structure of die base plates. The type of each plate is defined in the register file. You can choose any die base type suitable for your die design.</p>
      <div class="title_division">Bitmap parameter illustration</div>
      <p class="para_division">The parameter illustration shows a picture of the die base structure. Use it as a guide. You can view different illustrations by clicking the arrow buttons below the image. </p>
      <p class="para_division"> <img align="bottom" src="graphics/db_001.gif" border="0">   
      </p>
      <div class="title_division">Index list</div>
      <p class="para_division">The index area lists all standard configurations of the die base. If you pick a work area, the system highlights a die base index suitable for your design.</p>
      <div class="title_division">Expression list </div>
      <p class="para_division">The expression list area displays all expressions for the current die base or for the selected die base index. You can use the input window below the list to modify parameter values, and the PDW software updates the die base.</p>
      <div class="title_division">Dimension options</div>
      <p class="para_division">The lower part of the Die Base Management dialog's Standard Die Base tab displays values for commonly modified expressions, such as plate thickness for a selected die base, close status [1 -- close , 0 -- open], ST for stripper travel, and so on. </p>
      <p class="para_division">You can edit the database spreadsheet to control the values in the pull-down menus. If there are options for a data record in the spreadsheet, the record names and values will be shown. Every die base type has a specific plate structure. You can choose the thickness of the plates.</p>
      <p class="para_division">Lock/Unlock allows you to lock or unlock expressions in the Expression List.</p>
      <p class="para_division">Unlock allows you to unlock all locked expressions.</p>
      <div class="title_division">Action buttons</div>
      <p class="para_division">Action buttons let you quickly choose a working area of the die base in relation to the strip. You can edit the register file, edit the database spreadsheet, and add or edit certain standard components of the die base.</p>
      <p class="para_division"><img align="bottom" src="graphics/ico_d_diebase_specify_refrence_point.gif" border="0"> Specify Reference Point lets you select a reference point in strip layout to position the die base. If the strip layout feeding direction is from left to right, then the Distance to Die Base Edge is from the reference point to left edge of die base; otherwise, it is from the reference point to the right edge of die base.
      </p>
      <p class="para_division"> <img align="bottom" src="graphics/db_004.gif" border="0"> Pick&nbsp;Work Area lets you select the work area that includes defined processes. You select the work area by picking two points on the strip The work area's length and width are displayed in a Work Area Information field.
      </p>
      <p class="para_division"> <img align="bottom" src="graphics/db_002.gif" border="0"> &nbsp;Edit&nbsp;Register File lets you open a spreadsheet with all&nbsp;the registered&nbsp;die bases listed.
      </p>
      <p class="para_division"> <img align="bottom" src="graphics/db_003.gif" border="0"> Edit Data Base lets you open a spreadsheet containing all parameter data for the chosen die base.
      </p>
      <p class="para_division"> <img align="bottom" src="graphics/db_000.gif" border="0"> Add/Edit component lets you add&nbsp;standard components&nbsp;and sets of&nbsp;standard components&nbsp;to a die base. See the Standard Parts topic for more information on using this tool. 
      </p>
      <div class="title_division">Component Sets tab</div>
      <div class="title_division">Add/Edit Die Plate</div>
      <p class="para_division">This option lets you add die plates for catalogs that offer limited default choices. You can also edit the size of any die plate.</p>
      <div class="title_division">Add /Edit Guide Post/Bush</div>
      <p class="para_division">The system now separates guide post/bush design from standard part to die base design. You can use this option to edit the guide post/bush. You can still use the standard part module to add a guide post/bush as follows:</p>
      <ol type="1" start="1">
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Load a guide post set or guide bush set to position the guide post/bush.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Load the guide post or bush, then click Select Position. You can select a point created in the first step and copy to the other location if desired.</p>
         </li>
      </ol>
      <div class="title_division">Pre-Configuration Components</div>
      <p class="para_division">The&nbsp;Component Sets&nbsp;tab lists all component sets used in loaded die base, such as guide post set, guide bush set, screw set, spring set, etc.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
      <p class="para_division">Double click any one item. The Edit Diebase Components dialog displays. Use it to edit this component set's layout and position or each component's parameters&nbsp;in this set. </p>
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            <td valign="top" align="left"><img align="left" src="../graphics/note.gif" alt="Note" title="Note"></td>
            <td valign="bottom" align="left" width="100%">
               <div class="para_note">
                  <p class="para_note_body">The Component set list does not appear until you quit and re-enter this dialog box. </p>
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            <td valign="top" align="left"><img align="left" src="../graphics/note.gif" alt="Note" title="Note"></td>
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               <div class="para_note">
                  <p class="para_note_body">When you want to edit&nbsp;individual components in the set, you need to change to the corresponding component in the Component option list.</p>
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      <div class="title_division">Design Tools tab</div>
      <p class="para_division">The Design Tools tab lets you split die plates, merge die plates, align die plates, adjust the length of die plates, and save the current die base as a template for a new catalog.</p>
      <div class="figure">
         <p align="center"><img align="bottom" src="graphics/db_005.gif"></p>
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      <div class="title_figure">Design Tools buttons</div>
      <div class="title_division">Adjust the Length of Die Plates</div>
      <p class="para_division">To adjust the length of the sub-diebase or a single plate, do the following:</p>
      <ol type="1" start="1">
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Select Whole Sub-Diebase or Single Plate mode.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Select the sub-diebase or individual plates to be adjusted.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Click Pick Location.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Select the adjusted edge first, then drag it to the desired location.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">If necessary edit the length value.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Click Apply.</p>
         </li>
      </ol>
      <div class="title_division">Split Die Plates</div>
      <p class="para_division">There are several steps to follow:</p>
      <ol type="1" start="1">
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Select split direction: along X or Y.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Select split whole sub-diebase or single plate.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Select sub-diebase or&nbsp;individual plates to be split.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item"> Pick a split location or specify plate lengths, widths, and gap values.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Click Apply. </p>
         </li>
      </ol>
      <div class="title_division">Merge Die Plates</div>
      <p class="para_division">Merge the previously split sub-diebase or single plate.</p>
      <p class="para_division">There are several steps to follow:</p>
      <ol type="1" start="1">
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Select&nbsp;merge direction: along X or Y.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Select&nbsp;merge whole sub-diebase or single plate.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Select sub-diebase or&nbsp;individual plates to be merged. </p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Click Apply. </p>
         </li>
      </ol>
      <div class="title_division">Align Die Plates</div>
      <p class="para_division">Align the overlapped sub-diebase or single plate; adjust the gap between the two plates. This usually happens after using Adjust Length of Die Plates.</p>
      <p class="para_division">There are several steps to follow:</p>
      <ol type="1" start="1">
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Select&nbsp;align direction: along X or Y.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item"> Select&nbsp;align whole sub-diebase or single plate.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item"> Select sub-diebase or&nbsp;individual plates to be aligned</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Click Apply. </p>
         </li>
      </ol><a name="die_base_db_ov_Save"></a><div class="title_division">Save as a Template</div>
      <p class="para_division">You can save the current die base into the indicated directory as your template which can be re-used.</p>
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            <td valign="top" align="left"><img align="left" src="../graphics/note.gif" alt="Note" title="Note"></td>
            <td valign="bottom" align="left" width="100%">
               <div class="para_note">
                  <p class="para_note_body">&nbsp;You only can split, merge, align, or adjust the length of the die base before inserting groups, pocketing, etc. in downstream design.</p>
               </div>
            </td>
         </tr>
      </table>
      <p class="para_division">If you have already split a die base, the PL parameter will be invalid. If you want to adjust the length of the die base, please use Adjust Length of Die Plates function.</p>
      <p class="para_division">After saving the die base into a template library, open the saved die base to check for broken links. For example, if there is an interpart expression linked to &lt;PDW_STRIP&gt;::UPX_THICK, use Tools- &gt;Expressions&rarr;Edit link to delete this link, then save again.</p>
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