Understanding and learning how a nesting software works is an investment of time. After all, how do I know in advance if learning a new tool will be worth the effort and will leave the fabrication orders organized. On the other hand, is easy to measure the return that a nesting software can bring. The main benefit is the waste reduction . And this economy is easy to calculate. You should know by now how much retail or scrap is created every month and you should also know how much does each kilo of this raw material costs. It is common for companies to reduce more than 50% of the scrap after adoption of a cut layout optimization software. First steps with the Optimize Nesting This is a quick guide with the first steps to obtain this material economy and still reduce the fabrication time of the parts. Once you have completed the installation of the Optimize Nesting, just start it and log in using your registered email and password. On the first access, we create a sample cutting list of parts and materials so you can get started. See on the image below the example called "My OP":
This screen serves to keep the list of your cutting lists, production or fabrication orders etc. You can use a custom identification number, customer name, you name it.
Each one this items contains a list of parts. Whenever you want to create a new production order, click "new po" in the upper right corner of the screen. For now we will use the provided list. Just make a click on the name to open the production order, they will have a list of parts for example, as the following image:
This screen contains all the pieces you want to produce, separated by type of material. In the example we have 12 and 18 mm sheet metal. You can create your own materials, parts the way you prefer. For now, let's leave this list as is and let's do the cutting plans. To do this, simply click on "Nesting" tab at the top of the screen. As this is the first time, there is still no plan for the production order. So just click on the button "make nesting" and wait for the results. The following image shows the nesting diagrams for this fabrication order.
Note that Optimize Nesting presents all the necessary cutting diagrams and relevant information for each material. You will have the amount of sheets, number of cuts, utilization ratio, finishings quantity, time required for machining all parts and the weight or scrap and remnants. We'll explain later how to set up the weight and the cutting time for. Also note that only a few plates of each material are shown. This is a limitation of the trial version and that will be removed after the subscription. If you prefer, you can view the plans of your production order in full screen by double clicking on the selected diagram. Printing and Reports Now you can print a document containing all the information and drawings of plans. If your cutting equipment for conventional (saws, guillotines, etc) you can use it along with the equipment operator to guide in the cuts and make sure that everything is running as scheduled. Click on the "reports". Will be presented a series of options for different reports. Select "report (Word)" to generate a document that can be edited and saved in other formats, the way you prefer.
If you have a CNC equipment, can save the cutting plans in CAD format (. DXF) to be sent to the cutting machine. Important Settings Before you begin to issue fabrication orders, make sure the following settings are correct, according to your reality:
Distance between parts (cutting thickness). This value depends on the cutting tool used. This value usually ranges between 0 mm and 10 mm
Width and length of the commercial plates. We insert some sample materials to get you started. But registering the materials (blanks) that you use and make sure that the width and length you specify are correct.
Next Steps Now that you already know how to generate their own fabrication orders, you can begin to see the practical results. With time you will be able to benefit even more by adopting some practices:
Define more than one commercial size sheet for each material;
Use adhesive labels for traceability of parts;
Import parts lists ready of other programs;
Export the cutting plans for CAM software ;
Calculate the cost of materials, finishes and workmanship;
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