September 2011
New Product Feature: Nozzle Saver Technology®
Though the replacement of consumables can be costly, the ability to cut consistently hinges on the nozzle being in good condition. SigmaNEST's Nozzle Saver Technology® enables users to get the most life out of consumables and nozzles by using pierce reduction techniques, faster cutting speed and providing consistent cut quality. SigmaNEST Nozzle Saver Technology can save your facility time and money.
Cut faster with SigmaNEST's Smart NC. Techniques such as bridge cutting, chain cutting and iPierce® are Smart NC operations that will eliminate unnecessary pierces that reduce the life of your consumables. iPierce improves on the limitations of bridge cutting and chain cutting by cutting each part completely while optimizing the lead-in placement for the next part automatically. iPierce creates an eyelet into the skeleton as it cuts the part, then places the next lead-in in the eyelet area, eliminating the need for a pierce.
Consistent cut quality is essential and should not be sacrificed. SigmaNEST HDX ensures that cut quality will remain intact by automatically optimizing the conditions of cut height, feedrate, advanced plasma off, kerf diameter and shield gas pressure.
Eliminate unnecessary costs and wasted money through the use of SigmaNEST Nozzle Saver Technology.
Product Feature: SigmaTUBE®
Does your facility cut tube or pipe? Are you in need of a software solution to make your tube/pipe cutting more efficient and user friendly? SigmaTUBE, a product developed by SigmaTEK Systems, may be your solution.
SigmaTUBE® is a complete tube-cutting software that is seamlessly integrated within SolidWorks®. Designed for laser and plasma machines, SigmaTUBE offers linear nesting for round pipe, rectangular tube, and other cross sections.
Just like SigmaNEST, SigmaTUBE is one software that programs all of major tube-cutting machines with support for multiple assembly model configurations. SigmaTUBE delivers an effortless tube nest and NC programming without leaving SolidWorks.
Before generating NC code, SigmaTUBE provides users with a detailed, animated preview of the cutting process for each tube, including a display of rapid cuts. Although the efficiency of automatic generation can't be outdone, the user has the option to edit the toolpath and code after it has been generated. To ensure easy retrieval, the toolpath can also be saved into the SolidWorks file.
SigmaTUBE creates a detailed task report after the NC code is generated, giving the user a summary of the project, including an image of the tube itself. This provides a documented review of the tube model, the toolpath, and any other task specifications.
The advantages of SigmaTUBE don't stop there. To learn more about SigmaTUBE please contact your Regional Sales Manager or call 513-674-0005.
Tech Tip: Calculating a Die Diameter for Punching
Part of die management is selecting the correct die to use for a job. Selecting the correct die can greatly improve your tool life, and SigmaNEST can manage dies to be used based on the material and thickness required. This can be achieved through calculating the die diameter.
A typical die clearance for mild steel is 16% of the material thickness. (Please consult the tool manufacturer for recommend settings.) SigmaNEST requires the value to be entered into the Material Setup. Select the Technology Setup and then the Material tab, choose your material and press Enter. It is necessary to enter the die clearance in SigmaNEST. If the total clearance is 16%, enter 8% for the die clearance in the material dialog setup (for a total die clearance of 16%).
Use this formula to calculate the die diameter: Die Diameter = Tool Diameter + (Material Thickness * Die Clearance). For example using a 10 Ga and 16% for the die clearance, the die diameter would be: .250 + (.135*.16) or .2716.
For an in-depth tutorial on Die Management, view the pdf.
