Proactive Management
Time, performance and cost considerations are paramount when investing in programming tools Fabrication software has consistently tapped into computer-aided manufacturing…
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Technical Blog
END TO END
Fabricators can optimize material usage, machines, manpower and data in the face of supply chain disruptions and labor shortages Sacrificing…
Tackling Tube Nesting
In the world of nesting, tube can be quite different to work with than plate. With plate, there is a…
Shop Floor Feedback
“Companies that successfully harness the potential of digital… leapfrog ahead of the rest of the industry.” McKinsey and Co., Global…
10 Features Of Good Quoting System
SigmaQUOTE uses the SigmaNEST nesting engine, part database, and costing parameters to deliver accurate quotes after a speedy import of…
SigmaNEST CAD Import Plus Module
In today’s manufacturing workflow, 3D CAD models can be a key component for driving the rest of the production process…
Design for Manufacturing Using Router
Designing parts to be produced on router machines comes with a unique set of obstacles. Wood can be very challenging…
SigmaBEND and Common Bending Techniques
Forming on a Press Brake used to be relatively simple. Fast forward to today, and the introduction of CNC controls,…
Best Practices for Bevel Programming
The complex geometry and nesting challenges for beveled parts has historically been a long process of trial and error. Despite…
What’s the benefit of an organized shop floor?
How organized is your shop floor? Are you able to easily locate necessary stock? Shop floor organization is one of…
The Importance of Workplace Software Training
When it comes to running your business, your software is only as good as your training Many people have attempted…
Begin to Benefit from Automation
Begin to Benefit from Automation (even if you cannot get a robot) (excerpt from article originally appearing in Fabricating and…
Show Me The Money
Costing and Quoting in the Metal Fabrication Industry (Excerpt from an article originally appearing in the Fabricating and Metalworking magazine,…
Are We Having Leftovers Tonight?
Are We Having Leftovers Tonight? How Software Helps Reduce and Use Remnants in Your Shop (Excerpt from an article originally…
SigmaNEST ROI Calculator
Looking for ways your shop can save money in 2020? No matter the size of your business, from job shop…
Leveraging Technology for Quoting
Congratulations, that winning bid just landed your company a $40,000 contract. Unfortunately, because of unanticipated material costs, extended cut time…
The Importance of Archiving Work Orders
While it may be easier and faster to delete work orders after they are completed, archiving work orders is a…
What Can Recessed Tabbing Do For You?
Are you using your SigmaNEST software to its greatest advantage on your laser cutting machine? SigmaNEST does more than provide…
Programming Strategies for the Laser/Punch Combo: Part 4
Clamping Factors Following is part four of a larger article originally printed in the July 2019 issue of The Fabricator.…
Programming Strategies for the Laser/Punch Combo: Part 3
Following is part three of a larger article originally printed in the July 2019 issue of The Fabricator. Using form…
Programming Strategies For the Laser/Punch Combo: Part 2
Denesting and Sorting Following is part two of a larger article originally printed in the July 2019 issue of The…
Programming Strategies for the Laser/Punch Combo: Part 1
The Skeletal Integrity of a Moving Sheet Following is part one of a larger article originally printed in the July…
Cutting “Machine Shop” Parts on a CNC Router
A router can be a great option for cutting what would traditionally be considered “machine shop” parts. By cutting aluminum…
CNC Router for the Wood Working Industry: Three Important Features
SigmaNEST works for a variety of tools, raw materials, and machines. Among them is what can be one of the…
4 Mistakes Made When Integrating Nesting Products With 3D CAD Systems
Getting nesting software to talk to your 3D cad software can be a challenge. Once an integration has taken place,…
Cutting Composites: Knife
Composites are known for their layered design and reinforced strength, however not all composite materials can be cut with the…
Cutting Composites: Waterjet
Cutting composite material almost always requires a different approach than more traditional materials like metals because of its homogenous characteristics.…
Industry 4.0 – What You Really Need to Know
Industry 4.0 has become a buzz word that is hard to ignore in the manufacturing industry. It seems to consume…
Preventative Laser Maintenance
Maintenance. A word that laser machine owners know, but a practice that is often overlooked. Imagine the headache of trying…
Stopping the Chaos
Chaos is the #1 impediment to an efficiently run shop. A valuable tool to combat chaos is SigmaMRP. SigmaMRP is…
Jobs Module – Quote Nesting
Quoting. It sounds easy enough but then you start looking at the details. What is the cost of materials, taxes,…
Faster and Better Nests are just an upgrade away!
Computer processors are constantly evolving to provide a faster user-friendly experience. It seems hard to believe that once-upon-a-time 8-bit was…
Optimize Efficiency with Color Offload and Load Manager
SigmaNEST’s Color Offload and Load Manager help you optimize your facility’s efficiency by improving workflow and product management. LOAD MANAGER…
Work Order Basics
Work Orders form an integral part of the internal communication process in any manufacturing environment by letting your shop floor…
SigmaNEST – What’s New in X1.7
Cincinnati, OH: SigmaNEST X1.7, SigmaTEK System’s flagship product, was released on February 28, 2019. The most advanced organizations around the…
R&D Investments Could Mean Tax Credits
Small — Mid-Sized Fabricators’ Misconceptions = Missed Tax Savings MOST fabricators aren’t fully benefiting from the R&D tax credit because…
Fiber Laser Efficiency
Fiber lasers have been around for over 50 years; however, it is only in the last 30 or so that…
7 Keys to Ensure Success
How to reduce frustration and maximize your fiber laser implementation (excerpt from article originally appearing in The Fabricator August 2018,…
What kind of MES do you have?
Staying competitive in today’s fabrication market means systemic agility and continuous improvement across your business – fabricating processes, products, capacity,…
Competing in 2019.
Tariffs, labor shortages, and unstable material costs are just some of the variables impacting your profitability. 2019 promises more of…
MRP — Greater Efficiency Obtaining Higher Profit
What is your plan for making 2019 profitable? You have most likely reviewed your equipment needs, financing, and business but…
SigmaNEST – What’s New in X1.6
Cincinnati, OH: SigmaTEK Systems, the world’s leading CAD/CAM nesting solution provider, has released the latest version of their standard-setting platform,…
Invest for ROI
Legacy systems cripple your enterprise, leaving you mired in an infrastructure designed for the past and unequipped for the future.…
Mayville Engineering Company
Mayville Engineering Company is running around the clock. As one of the largest contract manufacturers in the nation, they have…
Reporting in SigmaNEST
One useful feature within the SigmaNEST software is its reporting capabilities. SigmaNEST provides the ability to print, edit, and save…
Plasma Nesting Software
Operating a laser or plasma machine comes with challenges. SigmaNEST offers solutions and unmatched plasma cutting technology. In addition to…
Best Practices for Designing for Bevel
For many employing nesting software, the process to produce a quality beveled part evolves from days or even weeks of…
SigmaTEK Releases SigmaNEST X1.5
Cincinnati, OH: SigmaTEK Systems, the world’s leading CAD/CAM nesting solution provider, has released the latest version of their standard-setting platform,…
The Importance of Accurate Quoting
Did you know it is possible to generate quotes for your job shop clients using the actual data from your…
Remnant Tracking
If your shop has more remnants or drops than full sheets, you might have an inventory tracking issue. Your cutting…
The Best in Nesting Keeps Getting Better — SigmaTEK Releases SigmaNEST X1.4 Enhancements
SigmaTEK Systems, the world’s leading CAD/CAM nesting solution provider, recently released SigmaNEST X1.4 with improved features and, “This release includes…
Empower Your Estimating Team with the Best Tools for Quoting
Empower Your Estimating Team with the Best Tools for QuotingDevelop and capture accurate quotes for your customers and be first…
SigmaTEK Knowledge Base Q&A Series: Question 1
I don’t think I can see all areas in the new SigmaTEK…
SigmaTEK Knowledge Base Q&A Series: Question 2
I am a SigmaNEST customer. My question has not yet been…
Shop Floor Automation Getting Started
Shop Floor Automation Getting Started Presented by – Drew Hickman
Punch Press
Product Spotlight: Punch Press Improving your process Punch technology has advanced tremendously in the last five years, and SigmaNEST has…
Quoting parts and assemblies in minutes
Quoting parts and assemblies in minutes Presented by – Monty Brown
SigmaBEND Overview
SigmaBEND OverviewCheck out our Press Brake Software demo and learn how to increase your press brake efficiency. In this Webinar…
5Ms of Productivity
Our work at SigmaTEK is incredibly complex: an amalgamation of computer science, advanced mathematics, electrical engineering, elemental physics and lean…
Nesting Software Today: Full Shop Floor Automation
Nesting Software Today: Full Shop Floor Automation Automating shop floor processes is the base line for revolutionizing the way a…
Laser and Plasma Training Tips
Operating a laser or plasma machine comes with challenges. SigmaNEST offers solutions to those challenges, helping your machine to achieve…
Advanced Techniques for Laser
Running a laser is expensive. Any movement made by the machine that doesn’t involve cutting material is a wasted movement,…
Williams Crusher
Williams Patent Crusher & Pulverizer Company has been a leader in the crushing and pulverizing industry since 1871. They currently…
Service Steel
Service Steel has been a family-owned company for over 100 years. They service the tube & pipe industry and pride…
Overlanders Manufacturing
Overlanders added a Muratec 2548 turret-punch press with FG 1250 loader for a lights-out operation. The machine included SigmaNEST to…
Nantong Huakai Heavy Industry
“Through advanced algorithms and ease of use, SigmaNEST has slashed nesting from an entire day to only 1-2 hours”Ms. Wang…
Barclays Center
Big ChallengesNesting and cutting more than 12,000 steel panels for construction of the Barclay’s Center was a major concern. A…
Brunswick Steel
IntegrationBrunswick Steel serves a range of customers throughout Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Northern Ontario. Manufacturing efficiency is therefore critical. One main…
FSI Fabrication
With the purchase of a new plasma table, FSI was persuaded to consider a new nesting program. And so a…
GK Machine
Steps to increase productivity at GK Machine (Donald, OR) began with the purchase of a Komatsu plasma table. Although fabrication…
Idaho Steel
Throughout the food processing industry, the Idaho Steel name is synonymous with quality. It is not uncommon to find Idaho…
Liebovich Steel & Aluminum Company
“We wanted to standardize our programming software,” explained NC Programming Manager, Kennedy Chosco. “Four different software systems were evaluated. Among…
T-Top Manufacturing
In many ways T-Top Manufacturing is a typical job shop. Employing a variety of cutting, punching, and bending equipment they…
Bartco Lighting
IndustryLighting FixturesFabrication AccuShear Wiedemann NC Turret Punch Presses (Motorum 2044 EZ, Motorum 2048) Accurpress Press Brakes (6’, 8’, 10’) Software…
ACE Metal Crafts
IndustryFood Processing and PackagingProduction 84,000 ft. production facility Laser Cutting, Forming, Rolling, Machining, Welding, Polishing, Tube & Pipe Cutting Mazak…
CRD Manufacturing
Industry Extreme Motorsports Aftermarket Automotive Off-Road & Street Performance Fitness & Health Equipment Furniture Entertainment Technology Oil & Gas Aerospace…
Tampa Bay Steel
IndustrySteel Service CenterProduction Cutting Machines: Laser, Plasma, Waterjet Software: SOLIDWORKS, Autodesk, SigmaNEST A Fabrication BottleneckCutting machines were operating as islands…
SigmaTEK and Roadtec: A Story of Automation
Over the last 23 years, SigmaTEK Systems has had the opportunity to work with numerous outstanding organizations around the world…
The Aerospace Industry – Championing the Use of Composite Material
Aerospace is one of the largest and arguably most influential champions of engineered composite materials. Since their development and mainstream…
Composites: The Material of the Future
From coal in the 1800’s to plastic in 1907, materials have shaped our ability to innovate. In recent years, during…
Whats New: SigmaNEST X1.3
With SigmaNEST X1.3, fabricators can expect to see increased speed and quality as the software allows their machines to achieve…
Design for Manufacturing using Router
Designing parts to be produced on router machines comes with a unique set of obstacles. Wood can be very challenging…
Design for Manufacturing Using SOLIDWORKS
SOLIDWORKS is a popular computer-aided design (CAD) program used by manufacturers around the world. Designing parts in SOLIDWORKS has become…
Design for Manufacturing Best Practices
In recent years Design for Manufacturing (DFM) has gained popularity as manufacturers around the world continue to compete, pushing the…
State of the Industry: Manufacturing Update
Large promises and predictions were made in the beginning of 2017. Experts forecasted continued growth, cobotics and 3D printing. How…
5 Clicks: Import to Report
Process Your Work Orders Faster When you use powerful software, it can sometimes feel complicated or confusing to navigate through…
How Organized is Your Shop Floor?
Be honest, how organized is your shop floor? Does it look something like the image shown above? If it does,…
Choosing the Right Nesting Engine
Switching from manual to automated nesting can be intimidating. One of the biggest fears people face when switching is that…
CAD/CAM Integration with PDM
If you are a small OEM or job shop you probably are not using a PDM system. If you are…
SigmaTUBE Updates You Should Know About
The SigmaTUBE team has been hard at work updating the software in significant ways in order to help you improve…
Product Spotlight: SigmaDSTV
SigmaNEST software is a customer driven software that has been continuously committed to making your work process more efficient and…
Product Spotlight: SigmaLift
SigmaLift is a modular application that can be integrated with SigmaMRP that allows material handlers to electronically manage the forklift…
Product Spot Light: Shop Floor Data Capture
Does your shop floor get bogged down with too many papers and communication errors? Research suggests that the average worker…
Product Spotlight –SimTrans
Productivity within the manufacturing industry has increased 1.3% this year thanks to trends like automation, cloud based computing, and lean…
4 Ways SigmaNEST Can Increase Your Return on Steel
Steel prices are continuing to skyrocket after hitting rock bottom late last year. Experts say steel prices are projected to…
What Does Downtime Cost Your Shop? – How SigmaNEST Can Help
There are two kinds of downtime in the manufacturing industry, planned and unplanned. While most people associate downtime with loss…
SigmaNEST for Trumpf
Trumpf owners choose SigmaNEST to help drive their machine to full production capacity. SigmaNEST’s advanced nesting platform features capabilities that…
Is it time to upgrade your software?
Let’s face it, we’re not sure upgrading our software every time a new version comes out is worth it. When…
Maximize Your Fabrication Productivity
It is no secret that more productivity in the metal fabrication industry means more return on investment in employees, machinery,…
Tube and Pipe Cutting with SigmaTUBE
Tube and Pipe Cutting with SigmaTUBE SigmaTUBE is a complete tube and pipe cutting software, operates seamlessly within SOLIDWORKS®, and…
SigmaNEST verstärkt sich weiter!
Ab 1. Dezember 2015 wird Sven Waldhier zur Vertriebsmannschaft stoßen und für das SigmaNEST-Geschäft im süddeutschen Raum, aber auch für…
Machine Console
When it comes to fabrication and manufacturing, most processes are not easy. SigmaNEST software acts as a fabrication hub and…
SigmaNEST Load Manager
In a fabrication environment, managing the production schedule is the key to responding to new contracts, meeting deadlines, and maintaining…
SigmaNEST Color Offload
SigmaNEST Color Offload In a fabrication shop, mixing work orders saves time and material, but also creates the potential for…
Just-in-Time Manufacturing, SigmaTEK Services, and The Fabricator
Adjusting to a just-in-time manufacturing environment Getting the correct information in place and enhancing communication ensure responsive, flexible activity on…
Best Practices in Laser Cutting
For best practices in laser cutting and fabrication, one important way to save money and time and increase productivity is…
Composite Material Cutting and SigmaNEST
In the aerospace, marine, and automotive industries, composite materials are used to make everything from airplanes to boats to race…
The SigmaNEST Technical Support Advantage
One of the greatest features of SigmaNEST is found in the professional technical support advantage we offer. As a company,…
Reduce Scrap with SigmaNEST
Hey… Cut the Scrap! In an August survey of fabricators and distributors, 86% said they expected the cost of raw…
Automation: Total Shop Floor Control
One of the problems in fabrication is in the time it takes to sort parts when they have been nested…
SigmaBEND: Importing Parts
Designed especially for press brake applications, SigmaBEND maximizes the speed, quality and flexibility of bending processes with full 3-D simulation.…
Bevel Cutting
It’s the last day of April, and you know what that means … National Bevel Cutting Day on the SigmaNEST…
The Importance of CAD/CAM Nesting Software
Too often “Activity” is confused with “Productivity”. Fabrication remains an evolving process; and manufacturers must continue to embrace best practices…
Router Cutting “Machine Shop” Parts
Routers like any other machines come with either own applications and nuances. SigmaNEST wants to help you make the most…
Tube and Pipe Cutting Program
Tube and Pipe Cutting Program SigmaTUBE is a complete laser or plasma tube and pipe cutting program supporting round, square,…
Tame Plate CNC Data Challenges
The following was contributed by FabTrol Systems and features the capabilities of FabTrol Pro as the steel fabrication management software…
Laser Cutting: The Sound of Making Money
There are only two sounds that come from a manufacturer’s shop floor: the sound of making money; or the sound…
SimTrans: Online Data Transaction Management
SimTrans is SigmaTEK’s on-line data transaction management solution. SigmaNEST users are uniquely positioned to achieve measurable improvements by integrating profile…
Laser Cutting: Pierce Point Reduction
A laser cutting torch generates a sudden and forceful concentration of energy initiating the cutting sequence. Each pierce point takes…
Nesting Software and Better Beveling
For many employing nesting software the process to produce a quality beveled part evolves from days or even weeks of…