August 2010
SigmaTEK Adds Depth to its Product Line
SigmaTEK Systems is future driven, constantly striving to provide the most advanced and sophisticated technological solutions for its customers. As technology has developed and evolved, the SigmaTEK R&D team has molded SigmaNEST software into a product that is versatile and powerful, capable of driving the most complex machines. As an extension into the arena of new technologies, SigmaTEK has developed SigmaNEST 3D, a revolutionary new cutting software solution that offers 5-axis programming for cutting machines and robots with 5-axis capabilities. With a strong focus on part quality and waste reduction, SigmaNEST 3D offers users the ability to create a 3D toolpath quickly and automatically.
SigmaNEST 3D is seamlessly integrated within SolidWorks, operating as an add-in with a familiar graphical user interface to allow maximum ease-of-use. It uses feature data from native SolidWorks part files (.prt, .sldprt, etc.) to create NC toolpaths for 3D parts. SigmaNEST 3D dramatically improves 3D cut quality by smoothing cuts, automatically applying lead-ins and lead-outs and optimizing cutting speed. It also allows users to retain control by allowing manual modification of any program generated.
SigmaNEST 3D eliminates time consuming trial runs and expensive machine crashes by providing programmers with a 3D simulation of the cutting process which includes collision detection. If interference is detected, SigmaNEST 3D can reprogram the NC path to ensure all cuts can be completed without collision.
3D laser cutting is extremely effective when used to cut holes for intersecting cylinders or parts with unique hole geometries, and by utilizing advanced algorithms, SigmaNEST 3D replaces many drilling, milling and cutting operations, resulting in reduced costs and improved precision.
For more information on SigmaNEST 3D or to see a demonstration, please call 513-674-0005 or email sales@sigmanest.com
New SigmaNEST Feature: DSTV Converter
SigmaNEST now has the ability to import DSTV format files! DSTV is an ASCII format developed by the German Steel Construction Association for the description of structural steel shapes for NC applications. You can recognize this file type as ending in .NC1. The files can be read and converted to parts by SigmaNEST, thus completely eliminating the need to convert the files from a .NC1 to a .dxf manually before importing them into SigmaNEST.
Importing the DSTV file is as easy as importing a .dxf file. First, click on the work-space tab in SigmaNEST and then on the import button just below. A down arrow will appear with multiple file types. If you have activated this option, DSTV will be one of the file formats imported. Next, choose your DSTV file and your parts will be imported.
To activate the option for importing DSTV files, allow SigmaTEK to walk you through the steps by contacting a SigmaTEK Applications Engineer.
Tech Tip: Part Costing Set-up
There is a fine line between offering a competitive bid to your customers and losing on potential profit. SigmaNEST aims to keep you profitable and competitive. SigmaNEST helps you win customer bids through its part costing method, designed to provide an accurate quote quickly.
SigmaNEST takes into account your material, production and machine costs in order to generate accurate pricing. To use this feature, access your Tools Help tab within SigmaNEST and click Technology Set-up. A window appears with the tabs Material, Mark-up, Production Cost, and Machine Parameters.
Each tab within the Technology Set-up has a specific purpose:
- The Material tab allows you to specify the type of material you will be using for the job and the cost of the material. The material can also be identified by the thickness of the material.
- The Mark-up tab aims to calculate a quote when giving the customer a price break based on a large quantity produced.
- The Production Cost tab seeks information that will calculate overhead, such as employee rates and the financing of your machine; secondary processes, such as painting, grinding and bending; and the cost of consumables like running costs, cutting and piercing. These can be edited in the Global, Machine and Detail sections of sections of the production cost tab.
- Located in the Machine Parameters tab is a technology table designed to input information about time calculations for each machine activity (run time, pierce time and cut time). It is very important that each value within the technology table is accurate as each number is a part of the production cost equation and can lead to an inaccurate calculation if the wrong value is present. To learn more detailed information about the machine parameters tab, visit the Help File.
Using the SigmaNEST Part Costing tool will allow your company to be more competitive within the market!
SigmaNEST Product Feature: Machine Console
Machine Console is an advanced automation module that provides just-in-time nesting for work orders with short lead times. It automates the nesting process according to work orders coming from MRP or other management systems, and generates a prioritized list of programs at the machine. Programs are ranked according to information from a management system for orders, stock and shop floor operations, automating the control, throughput and efficiency of order management.
SigmaNEST’s Machine Console is an ideal solution for managing production orders without having to recreate the entire order cycle. By eliminating repetitive programming, the automation frees up programmers to perform other tasks without sacrificing any machine run-time.
Machine Console can be modified to allow varying degrees of manual interaction, depending on the level of programmer involvement required. If a machine operator does not need to modify or adjust properties or work orders in SigmaNEST, Machine Console can automatically complete full programming, creating a new task, adding parts, nesting and finally generating the NC code. The intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) allows people with little or no SigmaNEST training to create programs for multiple machines.
