Stand-Alone Punch machine user manual - Finn-Power International ...

Plate margins can be set to a default value by clicking on ‘Use as default’ button
on bottom left of dialog.
5.1.4 Nesting Theory Summary
Overall, the theory of nesting is to push the user to reach a state of automation when
creating nests. All together, the items that are used to make a nest work correctly
are easy to set or edit. Plates database stores information for plates and can be done
in a one-time setup with many plates, only modifying quantities of plates or adding
a new material type or thickness if needed. Parts database is used to sort the parts
that have been created and stored in one or more part directories, allows easy access
to part information. Plate definitions can be either used automatically or modified
to liking, either way they are easy to set.
Once the above items have been setup the ability to nest parts should be an easy
task. The rest of the settings within the nest dialog are available to modify the
outcome of a nest.
5.2 Settings within Nest Dialog
When the nest dialog is opened there are quite a few settings to enable or disable to
change a nest’s outcome. The right combination can allow for the desired nest to be
achieved.
5.2.1 Part Separation
Part separation is set both in the X-axis and the Y-axis. The values used within the
nest dialog will be used to add spacing between tooling on parts. When a part is
tooled within NC Express the geometry is no longer the outside of the part, the nest
engine considers the outside edge of the tooling is to be the actual outside perimeter
of the part. Within NC Express this is termed as “tooling envelope”. When tools
are placed on the outside of the part, the amount of distance the tool is outside the
external geometry of the part forms this imaginary envelope (window) around the
outside of the part. This allows the parts to be nested as close as possible, but still
not allowing tools to overlap onto other parts. True shape nesting is still used
depending on the shape of the parts or tools used.
When applying common line within a nest the X and Y value for spacing is used to
apply the width of the tools used that are being common lined.
5.2.2 Nest Accuracy
Adjustments made to nest accuracy edit the step size for nesting parts. The value is
an adjustment made by the end user. Increasing the accuracy will allow the nest
engine to produce a nest much faster; also, using a large value, the part spacing may
be larger than actual values entered. Decreasing the accuracy will make the nest
engine run much slower, but will increase the potential for a higher quality nest. To
achieve acceptable nest accuracy the end user should experiment with this value.
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