EACH OF THE NESTS BELOW WAS GENERATED IN 60 SECONDS OR LESS!

The Automatic Nesting module is a geometry nesting program that will nest irregular shapes interlocked with other parts automatically. To nest parts, the user can accept the defaults or edit the nesting parameters such as: nesting mode, number of cutters, spacing between parts, spacing around the edges of the plate, etc.

Highlights

• PEP Automatic Nesting Software Can nest in 3 different ways:

• 1.  On plate widths and lengths entered by the user
• 2.  From a list of plates entered by the user but selected by the nesting software using the calculated areas of the parts to be nested
• 3.  On plates selected by the nesting software from a real time inventory module

• The nesting software calculates the correct number of cutters to be used, based upon the number of cutters (torches) available in the parameter table. When automatically determining the correct number of cutters to nest with, the software will take into consideration the interlocking of cutter paths and overhanging of the plate.
• The Nesting Software will reject and re-nest nests that do not meet the required utilization entered by the user in the parameter table.
• The Nesting Software intentionally orientates parts in the nest so that parts can be common cut and combine cut.
• The parameters can be set to produce the maximum number of duplicate plates possible.
• The parameters can be set to nest on a single plate or multiple plates. When nesting on multiple plates, the software will nest all of the required parts on as many plates as it takes.
• The Automatic Nesting module is interactive with the W.I.P. Work In Progress module

 The Automatic Nesting Software can be set to nest on a single plate, multiple plates and to nest multiple scenarios. A nesting scenario amounts to nesting the same quantities of parts multiple times using different plate sizes and part spacing. The results are then displayed and the user can select which scenario to save. This insures that the best possible nest is generated and that the parts are cut with the maximum amount of spacing between the parts.

Increasing the spacing between parts minimizes the effect of heat on cut quality and allows the laser to cut faster. When the cutting conditions vary, the laser will not cut at the speeds specified by the manufacturer. Therefore, everything that can be done should be done to ensure the same cutting conditions exist throughout the plate in order to cut as fast as possible.

You need more than just a "black box" approach to nesting. Scenarios allow the user to see what effect, if any, increasing the spacing between parts has on the total number of sheets required to do the job. In a lot of cases, the user will find that spreading the parts apart has no effect on either the number of plates required to cut the parts, or the size of the remnant remaining on the last sheet. In addition to displaying the nested scenarios for the user to see, the nesting software will produce a report showing the cost of the material for each scenario so that the most intelligent nesting decision is made.

TYPICAL P.E.P. NESTING SCENARIO

Say you have a customer that orders 90 parts. For assurances, you cut 100. With P.E.P., you can nest several different "scenarios" and choose the scenario that best fits your needs. In the example below we have three nests with different parameters. Which one do you think would provide the best use of machine time while ensuring part quality? How are you to decide? Obviously, your needs may be different from other’s. With P.E.P., we leave that decision up to you!

Material 16 ga. Stainless @ $.95 per pound

  Scenario #1 .15" spacing                       Scenario #2 .3" spacing                        Scenario #3 .45" spacing 

     Gross= 56 x 111  Cost = $112.00        Gross= 57 x 114  Cost = $116.00   Gross= 57 x 116   Cost =   $120.00

     Rem. = 60 x 8      Cost = $ 8.00               Rem. = 60 x 5      Cost = $ 4.00      Rem. = 60 x 3       Cost = $0.00

Once you decide which nest to cut, P.E.P. will then initiate CPT^© (Crash Protection Technology) and determine the shortest and safest cutter path possible. The user then simply confirms the cutter sequence and accepts the nest to be cut. The posted results will be a cut path sequence that ensures almost zero Z-axis travel with no head crashes.

CPT^© not only saves upwards of 20% in run time, but also allows for unmanned operation!