New features in BlankWorks 4.0 include blank edge smoothing to generate tangent continuous arc and line geometry to enhance the translation to the manufacturing process. The new skinning feature greatly simplifies the handling of solid models by automatically extracting the inner (ISM) faces for analysis. These faces are then used to generate the mesh which is automatically offset to half of the material thickness to position it at the neutral fiber of the component. Automatic tipping has been introduced to identify the best press orientation for the part. Further, BlankWorks has undergone a substantial performance improvement by incorporating FTI’s state-of–the-art Forming Suite architecture. In addition to blank development, BlankWorks also provides a contour plot indicating the thickening and thinning resulting from the forming process. It accounts for material stretch and deformation as well as bending and can flatten any SolidWorks geometry. This tool can be used to assess the feasibility of a part for manufacturing. “BlankWorks is a strategic part of SolidWorks’ penetration into the tool and die industry” says Brian Houle, manager of SolidWorks Partner Program. “Die designers, tooling engineers, and estimators will benefit most from a single-window interface that lets them quickly generate accurate blank shapes directly within the SolidWorks environment. With over 16 years of experience in building software for the stamping industry, FTI delivers world class sheet metal expertise to our SolidWorks community.” BlankWorks has been driven by customer feedback and is part of FTI’s commitment to deliver a suite of software to analyze product cost, formability, die design and process feasibility.