SigmaNEST overview (video 2.53 min.)

SigmaNEST
The World’s Most Advanced CAD/CAM Nesting Software
Machines and Motion at their Best
SigmaNEST advanced nesting solution offers a wide range of customizable, modular features to get the most out of your manufacturing operations.
With SigmaNEST, you can:
- Import parts from any major CAD system
- Automatically sort them into tasks by material and machine
- Optimize your material usage and machine motion
- Post programs to your profile cutting machines
- Track your productivity from start to finish
Designed to Help Fabricators Win
SigmaNEST drives nearly every type of profile cutting, routing, or punching machine to produce premium quality parts while saving valuable material and manpower. SigmaNEST offers CAD integration, an intuitive interface, and local customer support, which sets the software apart and are all reasons why SigmaNEST is the industry leader with over 21,000 systems installed worldwide.
Machines Supported:
- Laser
- Plasma
- Oxyfuel
- Punch
- Combo
- Waterjet
- Router
- Knife
- Multi-process
- Multi Axis
SigmaNEST is Nesting Perfected
Use less material through higher nest yield–most customers save more than 4% on material when switching to SigmaNEST

Intelligent Nesting
- Advanced algorithms used in SigmaNEST software optimize material savings with using part rotation, mirroring, and more
- Nesting strategies for complex machines account for hold downs, clamps, repositioning, bevel cutting, and secondary processes
- Effortlessly nest parts for specialized operations and materials like right angle shear, drop door part ejection, and common line cutting
- Automated choices for best sheet size and sheet priority

Powerful Inventory Management
- Remnant Nesting promotes a First-In First-Out approach to help maintain lean inventory
- Track inventory status and cost through integrated stock and remnant material database
- Real-time sheet and heat number tracking
- SigmaNEST integrates with exisiting ERP/MRP systems to ensure accurate sheet quantities
- Easily identify customer consigned sheets or reserved inventory
- Quickly search sheet, part, and work order lists

Efficiency and Savings
Experience a variety of options to reduce pierces, save cutting time, and accurately cut your parts.
Consequently, this comprehensive approach results in ROI by optimizing material utilization, machine motion, manpower, and data management.
- Motion : Faster cutting times to increase capacity and efficieny
- Material : Smart nesting saves 4% average on new and remnant use
- Machines : Central control gives you more flexibility and simplicity
- Manage : Integrate operational data for better insight and control
- Manpower : Faster programming and automation to empower your team
Versatile CAD Import
Smart time-saving CAD import recognizes 2D parts or 3D assemblies, and automatically calculates part cost and cutting time

Diverse CAD Import
- SigmaNEST software directly imports any major 2D and 3D file for painless part creation
- Leverage filters and mapping tools to only bring in the parts you need
- Recognize important CAM features on the drawing or model like bevels, milling pockets, and bends
- Automatic error correction for DXF, DWG, CDL, IGES, DSTV, STEP files, G-code and NC ESSI code

Part Creation and Version Management
- Fast geometry creation with easy CAD tools, standard shapes library, user-definable scripting, dimensioning, and part data marking
- Store part, nest layout, toolpath, and machine data in an intelligent workspace file
- Integrated parts database keeps a searchable catalog of all parts, and part geometry, material, area, weight, and cost

Automatic Part Cost Estimating
- SigmaNEST software automatically calculates part area, weight, cutting time, cost, and material requirements on import
- User-definable reports and cost parameters
Accelerate Business with SigmaNEST
Streamline business with instant quoting, automated work orders and BOMs, job tracking, scheduling and integrated production data

Easy Job Handling
- Batch processing of Bill of Material (BOM) files
- Track status of each part for every order
- Dynamically load multiple orders for just-in-time nesting and cutting

Job Tracking and Scheduling
- Automatic part quantity tracking and production scheduling
- Work order status reporting
- Explicit control for holding and releasing orders and parts for production
- Integrated order database

Detailed Reporting
- SigmaNEST has dozens of pre-built report templates for different business areas like costing, inventory, machine operations, and unloading
- Easy-to-use editor to customize any report
- SigmaNEST reporting data can be imported, exported, or connected to nearly any system
SigmaNEST Advanced Motion
SigmaNEST is one programming software for all simple and complex machines – including punch, profile, and combination

Sophisticated Toolpath Strategies
- SigmaNEST utilizes state-of-the-art machine motion options that reduce cutting time, consumable usage, and tool wear
- Optimum default settings for machine, material, and thickness simplify programming choices and reduce trial and error
- Increase machine performance with improved sequencing, scrap stability analysis, machine bed slat detection, and more

Advanced NC Profiling
- SigmaNEST provides 3D modeling for accurate bevel programming to ensure part quality
- Recess tabs to eliminate grinding, automatic center-of-gravity tabs to avoid tipping
- Common line cutting, bridge cutting, and chain cutting reduce cut distance, z-axis head movement, and pierce quantity
- Pre-Pierce using secondary processes such as drill and punch to limit consumable wear and improve quality
- BHQ bolt hole quality for plasma cutting
- Automatic crop cut and scrap cut for safe processing and removal of excess material
SigmaNEST For Any Machine
Above all SigmaNEST empowers you to operate your shop, your way by letting you select the solution you need

SigmaNEST for Punch and Combination
- SigmaNEST offers comprehensive nesting with powerful sequencing that provides ultimate control of laser/punch combination machines
- Formed feature protection saves forms by reorganizing the nearby hits on parts
- Stored pattern punching automatically punches production parts consistently

SigmaNEST for Waterjet Cutting
- SigmaNEST’s advanced programming optimizes feed and flow rate for superior part quality and maximum cutting speed

SigmaNEST for Router and Drilling
- Advanced router and drilling solutions with automatic recognition of complex 3D models
for safe and easy toolpath application
Integrated Data
Integrate data from all areas of your operation to gain key insights and run more smoothly

Integrated CAD/CAM with SigmaNEST
- SigmaNEST provides full integration and automatic part creation with 2D and 3D CAD systems including SolidWorks Enterprise PDM
- Smart inventory management with stock control and remnant tracking
- Complete part quoting, cost estimation, and searchable part database

Integrated Shop Floor with SigmaNEST
- SigmaSUITE products integrate with shop floor controls through Color Offload, Load Manager and Shop Floor Data Capture
- Advanced solutions for greater automation from shop floor optimization

Integrated Business System with SigmaNEST
- SigmaNEST integrates with ERP/MRP business systems for cost control and profitability
- SimTrans data translation integrates production processes with business operations
- Total integration with SigmaMRP for streamlined costing, planning, and tracking
SigmaNEST Packages
From small job shops with a single machine to large manufacturing companies with hundreds of machines, SigmaNEST offers a complete, custom solution that meets or exceeds your business needs.