looking for a good part nester

[DrGonzo]

My company is currently looking into autonesting of cnc parts. The current method is to do them manually. SigmaNest is the current software we are looking at. I am curious if anyone out there has any experience they can share with me in regards to this. Thanks!

 

[Morglisn]

Hey, there!

We're doing exactly the same thing right now. We've looked at Sigmanest, FastNEST, and... a few more that I can't recall. Our major problem has been the fact the we cut either large quantities of identical parts, or "kits", ten to twenty parts that need to stay grouped. Most nesting software out there (that we've seen) prioritizes parts largest to smallest, regardless of the individual priorities you've set for the piece.

If you get any good info, or find one that's good, let me know.

blittle@litnc.com

Thanks!

 

[FredOC]

nesting, like in a laser or turret? if so, we have had pretty good luck with Amada's AP100US. You can also look at Striker System, they have a pretty good one also.

good luck

 

[looslib]

Optimation will handle the grouping of parts in a nest.

Ben Loosli
CAD/CAM System Analyst
Ingersoll-Rand

 

[DrGonzo]

Sorry, I should have been more clear, we are cnc cutting particle board for use in cabinetry, etc. Various sizes, shapes, etc. Sigmanest would allow us to pull a SolidWorks assembly in and it would pull the parts tagged for milling, and it would also nest them according to color.

Thanks for any help.
Erik

 

[rocheey]

Im using the API nest, but only because I have to. The slightest gap in a part crashes the nester. And while it may align each *part* to each other accurately, if i dont have a minimum of 3" total border along any axis on a sheet, it just wont put the part in the nest, and wont say a damn thing about it. Grrrr. dont get me going.

I still wonder why Teksoft hasnt stepped in here... they have good Lathe/Mill and sheet metal stand-alone software,
but only make Mill and lathe for SW (Camworks)..

a good nester will use at least 2 different algorithms, one for multiple parts, and one for various parts (unless they somehow came up with a fast, brute-force true shape nester)