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FAQs on the eForm online configurator

General

  • I cannot use eForm. What are the system requirements for using eForm?

- Internet connection

- Browser with SVG support

- Internet Explorer version 9 and higher

- Current version of Google Chrome

- Firefox version 22 and higher

- Safari version 6 and higher

  • System check: Yellow → Can I use eForm?

A yellow system check is just a warning; you can, of course, use eForm.
An explanation as to what problem has occurred will appear if you click on the button. In many cases, the resolution has simply not been optimally set for using eForm.

  • I have Internet Explorer 10 and still receive the system check: Red. Can I use eForm?

You have compatibility mode enabled in Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer does this automatically by default for pages on the Intranet or if this was specified as a guideline by IT. This means that Internet Explorer 10 is recognised as version 7 and it does not pass the system check.
You can check the settings as follows:
Please press the Alt key with Internet Explorer open. A menu bar will then appear. Navigate in the menu using the following path: “Tools” → Compatibility View settings. In this settings window you must ensure that the domain “hoffmann-group.com” is NOT entered and the menu item “Show all websites in the compatibility view” is disabled.
Alternatively, you can ask the IT department whether there are any security restrictions with regard to Internet use.

  • What is a layout plan?

On one hand, a layout plan is intended as a graphical representation of the milled contours of a layout and, on the other hand, as a parts list for reordering or assigning tools. However, only the Hoffmann item numbers (if available) are displayed. The size is DIN A3 = 420 x 297 mm.
Tip: For example, you can place this plan in the drawer under the rigid foam, meaning it is quick to hand if a tool is lost or worn.

Grip recesses

  • What does the grip recess service include?

Grip recesses are required for most tools to be able to remove them from the foam insert. These removal aids can be set by the manufacturer when programming the layout; then only 1 grip recess service per layout will be charged for the initial order.

  • Can you draw grip recesses yourself?
If the user draws the grip recesses themselves, the price for the one-off layout programming costs are reduced. However, ALL required grip recesses must be set for this to apply. Thanks to the grip recess service, it is also extremely easy to show the manufacturer in which places it would be useful to have grip recesses and which places it would not. If screws, for example, are to be stored in the rectangular milled pocket, then NO grip recesses should be placed there.

  • How big are the grip recesses?
The width of a grip recess is 25 mm; the depth is always the maximum possible milled depth, which is 5 mm less than the foam insert height. In the case of a foam insert H=45 mm, it is therefore 40 mm deep.

  • How and where should the grip recesses be set?
It is often not appropriate to place grip recesses where you will later hold the tool in your hand. It is always better to place them as close as possible to the tool’s centre of gravity. It is hard to remove a square-head hammer from the foam insert if the grip recess is placed in the centre of the handle, for example.
It is also important that the grip recesses are big enough so that you are able to reach in with your fingers.

  • Is the grip recess service charged again for reorders?
No, the grip recess service (just like the programming costs) is only charged once during initial programming of a layout. It also depends on how many pieces of a layout are ordered.

Prices and quotations

  • How do I receive a quotation for the price and delivery time?
The Hoffmann Group can only create a quotation for a foam insert if the layout has been requested (at least) once via eForm.
To do so, place the layout in the “Shopping cart”. You can find the symbol with the text “Enquiry” at the top right. Click through from here so that your layout is saved and it is forwarded to the Hoffmann Group. From there, you will receive a binding quotation with or without tools, depending on which options you have selected.

  • How do I change a layout which has already been requested?
This is not possible. Each requested or even manufactured layout stays unique in order to rule out mix-ups. However, you can create as many copies of a layout as you want and change these.

  • How do I receive an up-to-date price of an older layout for reordering?
Simply request it again using eForm and the Hoffmann Group will automatically create a new quotation for you. If the layout has already been manufactured once, you will see that the programming costs and grip recess service are then no longer included in the price.

  • How long is the price valid for?
Until the catalogue period expires; this is generally up until the coming 31 July. For technical reasons, new prices can only be requested after this; a future price cannot be generated.

  • Why is my layout so expensive even though it only includes a simple, large rectangle?
The price of a layout is determined by the area to be processed in mm². The greater the area to be processed, the longer the machine operating times and therefore the more expensive the foam insert is. The milled depth is also relevant, as milling can only be performed up to a certain depth in a single process.

  • What do the yellow symbols on some tools mean in the editor?
If you call up or copy a layout which was created a long time ago, then it may be that the contours of the tools have changed in the meantime. In this case, click on the tool, select the latest version at the bottom right or switch the tool for a successor model. If there is not a successor tool of the same type, delete the tool and use one from the current Hoffmann Group catalogue instead.

Usable heights

  • Why is the usable height in the editor 5 mm lower than the drawer usable height?
A milled foam insert requires a bottom thickness of at least 5 mm so that it does not tear. In the editor, the usable height is calculated from the maximum milled depth. You can see the maximum height which a tool may have in this layout in the editor.

  • Why is there a height collision even though the tool is exactly as tall as the drawer?
eForm calculates in a 1 mm safety allowance so that the tool cannot grind against the top of the drawer.

  • How deep are the tools milled in?
There are three variants here:
  1. "Normal": The milled depth is optimised such that the user has a clear overview of whether all tools are in the drawer. The following rule of thumb applies: the contrast colour must not be visible when the tool is inserted. This is ideal in around 90% of cases.
  2. “Recessed”: all tools are milled to a depth such that they are 1 mm below the top of the foam insert when inserted. Exception: if the tool is higher than the foam insert minus 5 mm, it is then set to the maximum milled depth and protrudes above. Application: for foam inserts which are stored almost vertically (shadowboards) or for very shallow drawers.
  3. “Fully recessed”: as with “recessed”. However, all tools MUST be below the top; otherwise, the foam insert is invalid. Application: for cases/boxes where there are multiple layers on top of one another, for example.

  • Why do two tools collide if I change the layout to “recessed”?
The collision distances depend on the milled depth. In order to prevent the foam insert from tearing, there must be a certain distance between two milled pockets. In the case of a 40 mm milled depth, the distance must be significantly larger than in the case of a 10 mm depth.

Foam insert variants, colours, 2D & 3D

  • Why can’t I specify any milled depths for rectangles in the case of 2D foam inserts?
2D foam inserts are generally 20 mm tall and each milled pocket is 15 mm deep, even in the case of circles and rectangles.

  • If I set all milled pockets at the same depth in a 3D foam insert, does the 2D price still apply?
The designation 2D always ONLY refers to a foam insert thickness of 20 mm with the material XPE. As soon as a high-quality LD45 foam insert is used, the 3D price then applies, regardless of which milled pocket designs are used in it. The difference in price is primarily a result of the material price.

  • What do “tight-fitting” and “flush” mean?
Normally, contours are milled such that they are slightly bigger than the tool so that it is easy to remove. For several applications (such as cases or foam inserts stored vertically), it is appropriate to reduce this allowance so that the tools cannot fall out of the milled pockets due to vibration, for example.

  • Are 2D foam inserts also available in other colours/thicknesses?
No, the manufacturer only has those foam insert thicknesses and colours in stock which can be selected in the editor.

Laser labelling

  • Why can’t I include labelling within a milled pocket?
For technical reasons, laser labelling is only possible on black material due to the carbon it contains. However, the laser focus would also have to be adjusted separately for each pocket depth, even in the case of single-colour black foam inserts, in order to ensure sharp-edged printing. This is not feasible in terms of costs; this option has therefore been excluded.

Editor – drawing

  • How do I get the file and handle together?
Select the file you need and place it in the foam insert. You can see a field with the label “Accessories” at the bottom right. Click here and select the handle type you want. Only those handle sizes which the file manufacturer recommends are shown.

  • How do I place a cordless screwdriver with a rechargeable battery in the foam insert?
Place the tool you want in the foam insert, click “horizontal” at the bottom right and select another variant (generally horizontal_1 with rechargeable battery).

  • What options are there for the position/orientation of tools?
Once a field with “horizontal” is visible at the bottom right for a selected tool, other options are available. Give it a try! In addition to “horizontal” and “vertical”, there is also the option “with packaging”, for example.
Ratchets and torque wrenches generally with square up or down (“horizontal” and “horizontal_1”).

  • How can I add a ratchet with an attached extension and bit in the foam insert?
Unfortunately, not every conceivable tool combination is saved in eForm, as they would each have to be scanned separately. This would be tens of thousands of possible combinations. It is currently not possible to combine arbitrary tools in eForm (i.e. a browser-based program) in terms of the construction. However, there are two tricks which can help here:
  1. Position the ratchet and the tools in eForm such that they are positioned as they would be if they were correctly put together. You will receive a collision message. Then delete the extension and simply replace this with a grip recess. Wider tools can be replaced with two grip recesses placed closely together.
  2. If you already have the tools, simply record the tool combination when put together with the photo scanning underlay.

  • How can I add a CAD model which I have created myself to eForm?
A lot of time and effort has been invested into seeing whether this is possible, but unfortunately it is not due to the wide range of different CAD software. Not all DXF files are the same. However, you can print a DXF file 1:1 on paper, cut out the contour with a blade and record this shape with the photo scanning underlay. You can even add the various 3D depth levels in the recording menu.

  • How can I add a very tall component in eForm?
Place it on a piece of paper, draw an outline, cut it with a blade and record this cut-out section with a photo scanning underlay.

  • I created a complete foam insert in my CAD program – how can I have it milled?
Send a request with a STEP file via e-mail to your responsible contact person at the Hoffmann Group. You will receive a quotation from them, provided it can be manufactured. Please specify the foam insert colour you want here and please note that comparatively large distances between two milled pockets are required for foam inserts. Depending on the milled depth, they are from 12 to over 20 mm.

Photo scan

  • An item from the Hoffmann catalogue is not in the eForm database – how can I get it in the editor?
We have a comprehensive item database of over 15000 scanned items from our overall range of over 66000 items. We scan items which we think make sense for rigid foam inserts. If you still cannot find a Hoffmann item, but want to plan it in rigid foam, you have the following options:
  1. 2D scanning: photograph it with a scanning underlay, load it immediately into eForm and get started with planning.
  2. 3D scanning: have Hoffmann scan it (subject to a fee).
Note:
all Hoffmann items which are commissioned to be 3D scanned by the customer are then automatically visible in the database to everyone! All customer-specific items which the customer 2D scans itself are also only visible to this one customer (in their own customer database).

  • How do I get hold of a scanning underlay?
You can order the scanning underlay from the Hoffmann Group. The following scanning underlays are available:
KD5009 – scanning underlay size DIN A3, standard underlay, only one tool possible per photo.
KD5011 – scanning underlay size 600x600 mm, multiple scans possible, multiple tools can be photographed at once.
KD5013 – scanning underlay size 1000x500 mm, XXL underlay, only one tool per photo, for large tools.

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