Sheet metal cutting nesting software simplified

Sheet metal cutting nesting software defines simple nesting parameters such as part spacing then adds stock material as length x width rectangles, or as a DXF files.

CNC machinery and software solutions go hand-in-hand and CNC Broker Services said it had been an easy decision to begin supplying software products to compliment the company’s machinery range To fill an obvious void in the market, CNC Broker Services has strategically sought out a CAD Nesting solution, which works in conjunction with the CNC programming software

The solution allows the user to firstly define simple nesting parameters, such as part spacing then add stock material as length x width rectangles, or as a DXF files (ideal for utilising remnants and off-cuts).

Material thickness and grain direction are added during the stock input.

Finally the user defines the parts list as a series of DXF files and defines grain direction, part rotation, quantities, priority, etc.

The parts list is then nested to the stock list and returns best utilisation.

Manual editing allows the user to alter the nest before outputting the results as NC code (using a post processor) or as a nested DXF file for use with your existing programming solution.

Nesting reports can be printed for the use on the shop floor.

The software assumes the user has a CAD system capable of producing DXF files and is available in three levels of complexity.

The most popular level is the Lite version at just GBP 1000.

It is so simple to use that no training is required.

Operator guidance is in the form of excellent AVI video files and excellent help files.

CNC Broker had noted the market ‘void’ as recent trends had seen CNC vendors providing ‘home-grown’ CAD/CAM programming software, instead of working with costly third party CAD/CAM providers.

Such programming software offers many advantages to the CNC buyer, one of which is that the buyer chooses a ‘total solution’ from one company.

Another is that the programming solution has usually been written specifically for that cnc machine, so it will be able to program all functions of the machine – without using ‘special routines’ or ‘operator wizardry’ to get what is needed.

Many CNC profiling machines such as laser, water-jet, plasma-arc, router and oxy-fuel are delivered with programming software compatible with popular CAD software, through a common file formats such as DXF, DWG, IGES and HPGL.

CNC Broker told manufacturingtalk that the only way to make batches of parts often involves using ‘drag and drop’ or ‘step-and-repeat’ functions, which produce a grid of components.

The result does not necessarily return best material utilisation.

Manual nesting takes ‘an eternity’ when compared with the time taken for the CNC system to produce cut the parts.

Very few CNC vendors will supply an automatic part nesting feature to speed up the nesting process and improve material usage.

The desire to nest small batches of complex shapes often drives CNC users into the hands of the CAD/CAM companies.

Then, a short time after investing in a CNC machine, the buyer invests heavily again in another programming solution.

Replacing CNC programming software costs money in all areas of production as a new learning curve is required.

These are the reasons why CNC Broker Services said it had been an easy decision to begin supplying software products to compliment the company’s machinery range.