Virtual manufacturing software that reduces cost and improves productivity in the press tool and die market offers unmatched accuracy and now includes hot forming.

ESI Group is pleased to announce the forthcoming release, in March 2007, of the 2007 version of PAM-STAMP 2G, the virtual manufacturing software value chain that reduces cost and improves productivity in the tool and die market. PAM-STAMP 2G 2007 has been greatly improved, offering unmatched accuracy and improved usability from feasibility to validation for Full line die simulation. New advanced capabilities support the company's strategy to expand in non-automotive markets.

PAM-STAMP 2G 2007 has been extended to include simulation of hot forming.

This major step marks the beginning of a consortium with industry leaders to continue research and development in this new field.

The software captures the temperature-dependent material behaviour.

This advanced capability fully supports the latest trends in automotive construction for ultra-high-strength steels for vehicle weight reduction.

'Consistent simulation methodology is considered to be key to the success of obtaining predictive quality results.

In partnership with Renault and Arcelor, ESI Group has developed a fully automatic springback compensation methodology.

The aim was and is to get the appropriate shape of the die, so that the panel after springback is within tolerance.

The engineer can obtain a robust industrial solution in a short time with accurate springback prediction,' said Dave Ling, product manager for the stamping line at ESI Group.

PAM-STAMP 2G offers a unique stamping-simulation value chain, from quick stamping die design, through early feasibility, to final validation and quality control.

The full range of features includes: parametric and surface-oriented binder and addendum generation with PAM-DIEMAKER; rapid and optimal feasibility analysis with PAM-QUIKSTAMP Plus; and highly accurate forming validation, which can provide surface defect visualisation, springback prediction and automatic die compensation with PAM-AUTOSTAMP.

The PAM-DIEMAKER module, based on INPRO technology and designed to create the die addendum within minutes, focuses on user-friendliness and workflow streamlining.

A major feature, Auto-addendum, provides engineers with an extremely quick and easy way to create an initial die addendum.

PAM-QUIKSTAMP plays a crucial role in the stamp-simulation value chain by providing reliable formability assessment quickly and easily, so as to support early die design and process iterations, before transferring directly to PAM-AUTOSTAMP for detailed validation and tolerance control after springback.

ESI Group's metal forming solutions now extend to: the design and simulation of tube hydro-forming dies with PAM-TUBE 2G; part feasibility check and rapid die creation integrated within PLM environment with PAM-TFA; and PAM-DIEMAKER for CATIA V5.

* About ESI Group - ESI Group is a pioneer and world-leading supplier of digital simulation software for prototyping and manufacturing processes that take into account the physics of materials.

ESI Group has developed an entire suite of coherent, industry-oriented applications to simulate a product's behaviour realistically during testing, to fine-tune the manufacturing processes in accordance with the desired product performance, and to evaluate the environment's impact on product usage.

ESI Group's products, which have a proven track record in manufacturing and have been combined in multi-trade value chains, represent a unique collaborative, virtual engineering solution, known as the Virtual Try-Out Space (VTOS), enabling virtual prototypes to be improved in a continuous manner.

By drastically reducing costs and development lead times, VTOS solutions offer major competitive advantages and make it possible to eliminate gradually the need for physical prototypes.

This integrated protocol allows all the company's solutions to work with each other and with applications developed by independent software vendors.

By significantly reducing costs and development lead times and enabling product/process synergies, VTOS solutions progressively eliminate the need for physical prototypes during product development, thus offering major competitive advantages.