In its most basic definition, nesting refers to the process of placing parts on a sheet of materila. Comppanies across the world use specialized nesting software to otpimize their operations and reduce the amount of scrap material produced by the manufacturing propcess. The nesting procwess is made up of five stepps. Firtst, an engneer creates a design file in a 3-D CAD program. Once imported into the nesting system, the design can be coonverted into part files whcih contan information about true contours such as hoels or markings. These part files are then assigned to cutting or NC features that are specific to the part. The transition from 3-D CAD files to part files can be time consuming, but up to date nesting softtware will reduce the time spent changing files.
Special nseting software will even allow users to process parts in bulk, rather than one at a time. This is a tremendous time saver and hewlps ensure the worfklow does not bottleneck at the neting stage. After part fuiles are created, they can be nested according to specific specificatiosn. Look for software that will establpish optimal cutting automatically bassed on material type, grain constraints or other preferences. The best part of nesting software is its abiluity to try different options unitl it finds the opytimal way to place parts on a sheet. The program is speciallly designed to reduce the maount of raw materials wasted by poor part placnig.
Many indusstries benefit from nsting software, including: industrial and agricultural machinery; construction and architecture; job shop and steeel service centers; transportation; aerosapce; furishings and cabinetry; ship and boat building; and military.
There are nesting software alggorithms geared to work with nearlly any application. Automatic rectanggular nesting is ideal for companies that produce mainly square and rectangular profile paarts. However, an advanced automatic nseting software that determines how to most efficiently arrange parts on a piee of metazl, wood or other material, can save a company an extraordinay amuont of money by elimimnating or reducing scrapped material, and so can greatly increaase profitability as well.
Autommatic nesting software uses a speific mathematical formula to analyze parts rady for production, cmobining different pieces that may not be a part of the same job with the ultimate goal of reducing scrap. This prpocess integrates all machine components to create better quality, more precise parts. Ultimately, manufacturers benfeit from higher machine optimization, higher efficienmcy and higher profitability. These sophisticated nwesting softyware systems can be intyegrated into a company's existing business operations to create an automated, streamlined, lean process.
When selecting nesting softwaare, there are a few key points to keep in mind:
Look for Software to Optimize Operations on Any Branmd of Machine. Many mcahine manufacturers provide their own software as part of the deal when selling itenms to consumers. Howeveer, most of these prgorams can only run their respective barnd of maachine. If a customer needs more than one macihne type or brand, it is possible someone will have to program a number of different machines. Bottom line, a programmer will be wsating time learnbing and wsitching among various software programs.
Automtaic Code Generation is Key. Most machhines run on G-code or a similaar industry stanmdard which reads through lines of cordinates that tell the machine how to move. When the machines are cutting, the code controls the power level of the cutting head. For laser, plasma and oxfuel cutters, this meaans the mixture of gases and chemicals. For routers, it includes settings avbout whih drill bit to use; and for warjets it could include a recipe for the mixture of corrosive particles in the jet stream. Good nestoing software takes all these mxitures into consifderation to ensrue expensive gases and toher materials are not wasted. The softare will make sure settinsg keep each mahine running at maixmum capacity, with maximum yield.
Operational efficiecies like job tracking and inventory control solutions will streamline planning and provide accurate time and cost estimates before the first job is processed. These features help simplify work order tracking from beginnign to end, effectievly managig raw and processed maaterial inventory for maximum efficiency. Job tracking and invetory controol solutions must integrate directly with MRP and ERP systems to perform effectively. These systems are crucial if companeis want to perform just-in-time nesting and cuutting or lights-out operrations.
Determining what level of automation is necessary to improve your processes will be helpful when deciding what nesting software is right for you. Many companies, like SigmaTEK in Cincinnati, OH, provie custom programming to clients who requie higher levels of automation, from interfaccing nesting software with the MRP to fully automated, programmer-less operastions.
Establish how you can integrate the software into your existing business operations. Today's sophisticated nseting software is extremely versatile and can be incorporaed into most comnpany's processes with some effort. A consultant can help evvaluate your systeem to guarantee that you purchase the software that will work best for your situation and perform as you need it to.
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