CNC Automatic Nesting Software, Sheet Metal Software

How to Avoid a Mistake Choosing a Nesting Software Provider

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Optimation

Choosing the Right Nesting Software Vendor

So, you’re thinking about nesting software – either using it for the first time or possibly changing providers. Great. You’ve come to the right place for help. You may have searched the Internet and found lots of companies that sell nesting software. But how do you choose? Who does what? What’s the difference among these companies?

There is a lot to digest when you explore nesting software. However, the first thing you need to know is that not all nesting software vendors are alike. Yes, they all sell nesting software, but they come at it from very different approaches. Read more …

Evaluating the Sheet Metal Nesting Process | Part 4 of 4

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Optimation

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Steps to Evaluate the Nesting Process

This post concludes our series on evaluating the nesting process. We’ve established a foundation for a process review, reviewed the CAD to CAM process, and looked at the order entry side of the equation. Now we’ll turn to the heart of the nesting process, the actual creation of nests and output of tool paths to the equipment. This is often the make-or-break element in the process that determines efficiency (material and time), throughput and the overall effectiveness of the sheet metal fabrication process.

Again, we’ll follow our method of first describing the status quo, evaluating it critically, then looking for alternatives.

Creation of the nest and tool path Read more …

Categories: Nesting Process, Nesting Strategies | Tags: batch nesting, cnc output, dynamic nesting, jit nesting, NC output, nesting process, nesting process for fabrication, nesting process manufacturing, nesting process sheet metal, nesting strategies, nesting strategy, optimation, single part programming, what is the nesting process

Happy Holidays from Optimation

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Optimation

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Happy Holidays from Optimation

Categories: Optimation News | Tags: optiblog, optimation, optimation nesting software, optinest

Automatic Nesting and Automated Nesting – Smart Shoppers Know the Difference

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Optimation

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Automated Nesting v. Automatic Nesting

To the uninitiated manufacturing professional the two terms “automatic” and “automated” as they apply to nesting and nesting software can whiz by undifferentiated in a conversation. That’s perfectly understandable because our everyday experiences afford us no reason to assume there is much difference between the two terms.

Ah, but it is in that distinction where an important mistake is made when it comes to looking at nesting processes and nesting software. Read more …

Categories: How to Buy Nesting Software, What is CNC Nesting? | Tags: automated nesting, automated nesting software, automatic nesting, automatic nesting software, cnc nesting software, optimation

How well is your part ordering system working? | Part 3 of 4

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Optimation

1 comment

Steps to Evaluate the Nesting Process

In the last two blog posts we’ve first laid a foundation for evaluating a process, then applied that foundation to the CAD to CAM process or geometry acquisition and data cleaning and storage steps. As you know the nesting process takes input from two areas – design and scheduling. Now we’ll turn to the other side of the equation (parts + orders = nests), and evaluate the order entry and order communication process as it relates to nesting.

Every manufacturer has a capturing and communicating order information approach. It can be a paper-based system with travelers and making use of the “sneaker-net” to transfer the information. It can be an Excel spreadsheet with a list of customer orders and associated parts, or it can be a sophisticated MRP/ERP system which is updated in real time. Regardless of the tools in place, there are fundamental process requirements that can be described, evaluated, and compared to alternatives.

Here we go. Read more …

Categories: Nesting Process | Tags: automatic order entry, best nesting practices, cnc nesting, cnc nesting software, entering orders for nesting, fabrication order entry, managing orders for nesting, nesting orders, nesting process, optimation, order entry, order entry process, part order entry, part orders, value stream

Best Sheet Metal Nesting Process Questions | CAD to CAM | Part 2 of 4

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Optimation

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Steps to Evaluate the Nesting Process

In the last blog post we laid out an architecture by which we can critically evaluate a nesting process. To review, our evaluation process starts with a clear and detailed description of the nesting process, they we ask “why” about each of those defined steps, finally we look for constructive alternatives. Our goals in sum are identifying challenges, means to improve the process, and overall opportunities for efficiencies.

Today we’ll apply our evaluation architecture or system to the processes we’re most familiar with in nesting – collection of part geometry and creation of the part program.

We start at the beginning of the nesting process for most manufacturers, which is creating, identifying, moving, cleaning, and all around getting the geometry from where it is to a place – literally and figuratively – where it can be manufactured. Read more …

Categories: Nesting Process | Tags: 2D CAD output, cad cam, cad file conversion, cad file format, cad output, CAD part conversion, CAD part programs, cad to cam, cad to cnc, cad/cam, cnc part programming, nesting automation, nesting efficiency, nesting process, optimation, part programming, part revisions, programming CAD parts, sheet metal nesting, sheet metal software

How to Evaluate Your Sheet Metal Nesting Process | Part 1 of 4

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Optimation

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Steps to Evaluate the Nesting Process

Most would agree that sheet metal nesting is process. There are steps; some sequential, some parallel. The activities flow; sometimes well, sometimes not so well. Decisions are made, information is shared, and actions are taken. The sum of which is a process.

Even though there is significant value to looking critically at the process, most manufacturers rarely review the it unless there is a mandate to begin a Lean Initiative, a major problem, or an alternative sheet metal software solution is under consideration, which is sometimes indicative of a major problem. Why? Because the day to day management of the process is all consuming. Read more …

Categories: Nesting Process | Tags: cnc nesting software, nesting process, nesting process for fabrication, nesting processes, optimation, process for manufacturing, process nesting, sheet metal nesting, sheet metal nesting process, sheet metal software, what is the nesting process

Sheet Metal Software | 8 Best Practices to Gain Productivity

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Optimation

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Does the nest meet all production requirements?

When sheet metal nesting every parameter, machine setting, order sequence, or part layout choice impacts nesting productivity – time & material.

There are countless sheet metal fabrication requirements to be considered when placing parts on a CNC punch, laser, plasma, waterjet or router. The design, the fabrication requirements, and the order sequence can have a significant impact on the quality of the nest. How well those requirements are respected when compiling a nest is at the heart of an effective sheet metal nesting strategy.

Let’s look some of the real world demands that these requirements place on a programmer when nesting, and more significantly, the tools and techiques available improve your numbers today. Read more …

Categories: CNC Nesting Benefits, Nesting Strategies | Tags: cnc programming, concurrent engineering, fabricating parts, material efficiency, nesting benefits, nesting software, nesting strategies, nesting strategy, optimation, part order, part schedule, programming time, sheet metal nesting, sheet metal software, what are nesting strategies

Nesting Software | 9 Insider Tips to Benefiting the Most from a Demo

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Optimation

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Preparing for a Nesting Software Demo

It seems natural to start requesting demonstrations of nesting software when you begin your research for a nesting software package. The objective seems obvious. You want to know what the nesting software does and how it works. And one of the best ways to answer those questions is to see a demo.

Stop. Before you pick up the phone or fill out that online form to request a demo, there are several things you can do first to make the demo a productive use of your time. Trust me on this one. We’ve done a bazillion demos, and the manufacturers who were well prepared came away with clear action items, a clear idea of how it would benefit them, and a shorter, less-stressful acquistion timeline.

So here’s the formula for watching nesting software demonstrations success. Read more …

Categories: How to Buy Nesting Software | Tags: cnc nesting demo, demo cnc software, demo nesting software, laser nesting demo, optinest demo, plasma nesting demo, plasma software demo, program nesting demo, purpose of a nesting software demo, turret demo, turret nesting demo, turret program demo

Sheet Metal Nest Efficiency Figures – What Everybody Ought To Know

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Optimation

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Measuring Sheet Metal Nesting Material Efficiency

Here’s A Quick Way To Understand Sheet Metal Nesting Efficiency Numbers

Why Manufacturers Track Material Efficiency

Manufacturers track their material efficiency for a few reasons. They follow efficiency numbers as a means of keeping an eye on day-to-day costs. They look at variances in their material efficiency numbers to see if any production changes (part mix, sheet size, trim allotment) have made a difference in efficiency. Finally, manufacturers frequently look at material efficiency as one basis for evaluating the return on investment when sizing up different sheet metal nesting software or CAM packages.

How to Measure Material Efficiency

We now turn to the task of measuring or calculating material efficiency. Read more …

Categories: What is CNC Nesting? | Tags: material efficiency, material scrap, material waste, material yield, nest efficiency, nest yield, nesting efficiency, nesting software material usage, rectangular efficiency, rectangular nesting, reduce material waste, sheet metal nesting, sheet metal software, sheet metal waste

JIT Nesting Software Helps You Respond to Changes in One Machine Cycle

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Optimation

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JIT Nesting Software Helps Respond to Change

We often hear from programmers and engineers about the hours upon hours they spend librarying parts, creating programs, and optimizing tool paths. Then they hope nothing changes in the schedule to disrupt their much-labored-over work. And you know how the story ends. Something happens – it always does – that throws the schedule into a tailspin, the nests are scrambled, the work starts over, and someone loses their lunch break just to keep the ball rolling. Meanwhile that equipment is still waiting; waiting impatiently with its metaphorical metronome ticking – loudly.

The solution to this time-and-time-again proven problem is simple. Just wait until the very last minute – seconds – before the laser, punch or other fabrication equipment has completed the current nest and the operator has unloaded it to create the next nest. That very next nest would reflect precisely current demand – orders, order quantities, part revisions, and material inventory – and prevent the dreaded last minute scramble to accommodate any and all changes.

It’s possible to do this. Really. Allow me to introduce you to “Just-in-Time Nesting.” Read more …

Categories: Lean Fabrication, Nesting Strategies | Tags: best nesting practices, cnc nesting software, dynamic nesting, jit nesting, JIT nesting strategy, just in time nesting, lean nesting, nesting best practices, nesting software, nesting software strategies, nesting software strategy, nesting strategies, nesting strategy, optimation, sheet metal nesting, what are nesting strategies, what is JIT nesting

How to Shop for Sheet Metal Software

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Optimation

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Sheet Metal Software Shopping Tools & Techniques

Whether you’re in the market now or think buying sheet metal software may be a project in the future, it’s helpful to have tools and techniques to make the process easier, more efficient and a productive use of your time.

Assuming you’re not a professional buyer or in the corporate product acquisition department, you may not be used to identifying, evaluating, requisitioning, budgeting, and purchasing sheet metal software. It can be a daunting task for the uninitiated or the already busy.

Indeed, most manufacturing engineers, programmers, or even manufacturing management doesn’t concern themselves with the software acquisition process on a day-to-day basis. Their focus is all about producing parts and products. And suffice to say, there isn’t a lot of overlap in the steps and processes involved in purchasing software and producing a product. So there is often a fairly large, on-the-job learning curve to be had for anyone endeavoring to research and purchase sheet metal software. Read more …

Categories: How to Buy Nesting Software | Tags: buy nesting programming software, buy nesting software, buy sheet metal software, choose nesting software, compare nesting software, evaluate nesting software, evaluate sheet metal software, nesting software price, optimation, purchase nesting software, research nesting software, research sheet metal software, select nesting software, sheet metal software, shop for nesting software, shop for sheet metal software

4 Secrets to Profiting with CNC Nesting Programs

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Optimation

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4 Secrets to Profiting with CNC Nesting Programs

Why would a fabricator consider, let alone implement nesting program? What’s in it for the manager or the shop personnel to invest in a CNC nesting program? There’s got to be ways to profit from this investment, why else would someone go down this road.

Let’s be upfront. Changing or introducing new software into the work environment means, well, change. And there are costs to making such a change. Beyond the monetary investment there is the time and effort invested in the research and implimentation. So any sound reasoning would lead us to believe there must be a profit at the end of the process to make that experience worthwhile. There needs to be benefits for the whole team – managers and shop personnel – to justify not only the expense but the transition time and effort. Read more …

Categories: CNC Nesting Benefits | Tags: advanced nesting program, automatic nesting, automatic nesting program, benefits of nesting, cnc nesting, cnc nesting program, dynamic nesting, material yield, nesting benefits, nesting program, nesting programs, programming time

How to Estimate Material Yield and Machine Time | Laser Cutting Software

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Optimation

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Estimating Material Yield and Machine Time

Introducing | Project Estimator by Optimation

I think it is fair to say that most – if not all – manufacturers are scoped-in pretty tightly on their costs these days. Competition – global and domestic – economic turns, and rising energy prices are forcing a heightened awareness of costs.

Any tools to help predict and evaluate costs using actionable data would be a welcome asset.

Wanted: Material Yield and Machine Time Information

Wouldn’t it be great to know how much a part would cost before you produce it? Read more …

Categories: New Optimation Nesting Software Products, Optimation News | Tags: cnc estimating software, cnc machine time, cnc run time estimate, cutting time estimate, cycle time for cnc estimating software, estimating laser cutting, estimating laser cutting costs, estimating production yield costs, estimation of laser cutting time, how to estimate laser cutting, laser cutter run time estimator software, laser cutting estimate, laser cutting estimator software, laser cutting software, material yield, nesting software, optimation, sheet metal software

Does Mixing Shop Orders Make You Nervous?

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Optimation

3 comments

Not Dynamic Nesting of Mixed Orders

Does the thought of mixing orders in a nest strike fear into your heart? Or does it just feel better to keep your items separate, like food on a tray - no mixing allowed.

This probably isn’t you, but maybe you’ve heard of others, who under penalty of death, will not mix orders when nesting. It’s true. We hear about it a lot.

Although I’m having a little fun with it here, some have very real concerns about mixing parts from different orders, jobs, customers on a single or series of nests. And those concerns are probably based in real-world, nightmarish experiences.

Today, we’ll look at the challenges of mixing orders and some best practices and tools to address them. Then we’ll consider why mixing orders would be beneficial when done right and with the right tools. Finally, we’ll ask the questions you may be asking to determine if mixing sheet metal nesting orders is right for you.

Challenges in Mixing Orders When Nesting

Shop Floor Chaos

The biggest concern we hear about mixing orders, jobs, customers Read more …

Categories: Nesting Process | Tags: automatic order entry, best nesting practices, cnc nesting software, dynamic nesting, fabrication order entry, job costing, material efficiency, material yield, nesting process, nesting process for fabrication, nesting process for manufacturing, nesting processes, nesting strategy, optimation, part orders, sheet metal nesting, sheet metal nesting process, sheet metal program, sheet metal software, shop orders, what is the nesting process

Irregular Sheet Metal Remnant Nesting

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Optimation

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Irregular Sheet Metal Remnant Nesting

Nesting on irregular-shaped remnants can make a significant difference on material yield. And if you are a manufacturer focused on reducing waste and improving yield, here’s a nesting strategy that could prove very helpful.

Manufacturers often have to create large, non-rectangular parts in small quantities. These parts can and do fill the majority of the area on a metal sheet; however, they still leave a sizeable amount of usable space inside voids and around the exterior. This usable space, or remnant, isn’t necessarily rectangular, as many remnants are. The remnant naturally follows the negative contour of the single large part removed from the sheet.

Irregular-Shaped Remnant Nesting Challenges

When a programmer is faced with an odd-shaped, sheet metal remnant he is challenged with a couple problems Read more …

Categories: Nesting Strategies | Tags: cnc nesting software, cutting nesting irregular shapes, dynamic nesting, irregular nesting, irregular sheet metal, irregular sheet remnants, irregular sheet type, irregular sheets, material yield, metal remnants, nesting sheet remnant, nesting strategy, optimation, part remnant in nesting, reduce waste, sheet metal nesting, sheet metal program, sheet metal remnants, sheet metal software, steel sheats nonregular, used metal nest

4 Nesting Strategies to Manage Cut Part Production

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Optimation

1 comment

Optimation Nested Parts

A nesting strategy – to be distinguished from nesting software – that is suitable for a job shop may not work for an OEM. A made-to-order shop may need different nesting strategies than a shop that uses Kanban. A nesting strategy perfect for a small shop, may be ill-suited for a multi-facility corporation. Why? Because each company has different resources and different production objectives, both factor into the choice of a nesting strategy.

Often, the manufacturing engineering team is challenged to determine which strategy – or strategies – is best suited to achieve their production goals. When choosing a nesting strategy they must consider productivity, material efficiency, order cohesion, and most of all, the labor resources available.

Similarly, the team is challenged by resource constraints. There are only so many programmers, a limited number of hours in the day, a material budget, storage space allocations, machine speed, etc.

Making the most of the resources to achieve the right goals through nesting with CNC nesting software is a nesting strategy.

What’s the best strategy to use? Let’s look at several choices…

Sheet Metal Software | 4 Best Practices When Kit Nesting

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Optimation

4 comments

Optimation Assembly Manager Nesting Software

Some manufacturers – maybe you – build products out of component parts. Those completed products are kits or assemblies or units, depending on the term you use. Some parts are sheet or plate metal; some are not. Some parts involve extensive post-fabrication work (bending, forming, painting); some not. But the one thing all kit parts have in common is that they belong together. Kits are designed as a unit and need to be programmed together, nested together, cut or punched together, assembled together, and ultimately delivered together, which creates a rather difficult production challenge.

How do you keep the assembly parts together in a cohesive unit, while reducing the programming time, managing the material yield, and not slowing down machine productivity? There are sheet metal software best practices to help. Often times one or two of these goals are sacrificed to achieve another goal in what is seen as a zero-sum game.

It doesn’t have to be that way. There are tools and practices that can help achieve all of these goals in concert and without sacrificing one good for another. Let’s look at some of the day-to-day challenges kits present and some solutions to the problems. Read more …

Categories: Nesting Strategies | Tags: assembly nesting, automatic nesting software, cnc nesting, cnc programming, kit nesting, nesting strategies, nesting strategy, optimation, part assembly, programming time, sheet metal software, unit nesting, what are nesting strategies

How to Manage CNC Nesting Information | CAD/CAM

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Optimation

1 comment

Best Practices for CAD/CAM Information Management

Effective communication is the lifeline of most businesses. It couldn’t be more important in manufacturing, or specifically, to the CAD/CAM process. Where there is lack of communication or miscommunication between CAD and CAM there is waste. And we know intuitively waste from poor communication is costly and even more costly to fix.

CAD/CAM information management is all about creating and tracking an order and/or the part geometry from sale through delivery. Let’s look at some of the CAD/CAM information management challenges and categorize them by the impact they have on delivering value to the customer. Read more …

Categories: Lean Fabrication | Tags: adding value, automatic nesting, cad cam, cad cam information, cad to cam, cad to cnc, cad/cam, cnc nesting software, lean fabrication, nesting process, nesting process for fabrication, nesting process for manufacturing, nesting processes, nesting software, optimation, sheet metal nesting process, value stream, what is the nesting process

CAD to CAM | Optimation & Inventor Integration

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Optimation

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Optimation & Inventor Automation & Integration

Optimation & Inventor | CAD/CAM Integration

Optimation® stands alone as a leading CAM or nesting automation specialist. Optimation has focused its more than 30 years of research, development and expertise on developing best-in-class nesting automation. Similarly, AutoDesk® has become ubiquitous in the CAD design field by becoming the tool of choice upon which most designers learn. Inventor is one of their flagship products charting new advancements in technology.

When acting independently, these tools can and do make significant transformations in the automation of a production environment. Individually, they create a multiplier effect with the productivity of the resources – individuals, equipment, and raw materials – at hand. Integrated they can further leverage their individual impact. Read more …

Categories: Nesting Process, New Optimation Nesting Software Products, Optimation News | Tags: automatic nesting for Inventor, CAD, cad cam inventor to manufacturing, cad/cam, cnc integration with inventor, cnc nesting, cnc nesting for Inventor, cnc nesting software, dynamic nesting for Inventor, Inventor, inventor cnc nesting, inventor nest cam, inventor nesting, inventor nesting software, inventor to cnc, nested parts inventor, nesting for inventor, nesting in inventor, nesting process, nesting software, optimation, optimation inventor link

How to Avoid a Mistake Choosing a Nesting Software Provider

Evaluating the Sheet Metal Nesting Process | Part 4 of 4

Happy Holidays from Optimation

Automatic Nesting and Automated Nesting – Smart Shoppers Know the Difference

How well is your part ordering system working? | Part 3 of 4

Best Sheet Metal Nesting Process Questions | CAD to CAM | Part 2 of 4

How to Evaluate Your Sheet Metal Nesting Process | Part 1 of 4

Sheet Metal Software | 8 Best Practices to Gain Productivity

Nesting Software | 9 Insider Tips to Benefiting the Most from a Demo

Sheet Metal Nest Efficiency Figures – What Everybody Ought To Know

JIT Nesting Software Helps You Respond to Changes in One Machine Cycle

How to Shop for Sheet Metal Software

4 Secrets to Profiting with CNC Nesting Programs

How to Estimate Material Yield and Machine Time | Laser Cutting Software

Does Mixing Shop Orders Make You Nervous?

Irregular Sheet Metal Remnant Nesting

4 Nesting Strategies to Manage Cut Part Production

Sheet Metal Software | 4 Best Practices When Kit Nesting

How to Manage CNC Nesting Information | CAD/CAM

CAD to CAM | Optimation & Inventor Integration

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