SigmaNEST for Water Jet

Part Quality

SigmaNEST delivers the highest quality parts through advanced automatic features. It provides the tools to produce the most dimensionally accurate parts through the following features:

• Automatic generation of lead-in and lead-out geometry
• 5-axis bevel cutting
• Automatic feed rate and power ramping
• Precise cutting of small holes

Integration

SigmaNEST is an integrated package offering an easy to use and streamlined work method for programmers, estimators, and material management personnel.

• SigmaNEST can read native Solid Edge, SolidWorks, and Inventor parts and assemblies directly
• Supports DWG, DXF, and IGES file formats
• Open architecture allows users to customize post processors and management reports
• Automated links to MRP software and other information systems
• COM and .Net interfaces permit control of SigmaNEST from other systems

Capabilities

SigmaNEST offers a comprehensive set of easy to use features specially designed for water jet cutting machines. SigmaNEST's capabilities include:

• Full support for 5-axis bevel cutting, including knife and land bevels
• Multi-nozzle nesting on new and remnant material
• Intricate details cut accurately with automatic acceleration/deceleration programming
• Automatic feedrate and power ramping
• Automatic set-up of cutting conditions, feedrate, and abrasive rate based on required cut quality, material type, and material thickness

Image courtesy of Jet Edge®

Material Utilization

SigmaNEST creates superior nests and maximizes the use of new and remnant material through the following features:

• Advanced automatic nesting combines the features of interactive pre-nesting, automatic pre-nesting, and multiple nozzle nesting
• Capable of nesting 1,000 parts on six sheets in 14 seconds
• Automatic true shape nesting on irregularly shaped remnant material on machines with single and multiple nozzles
• Remnant tracking and selection
• Common edge cutting
• Nest large volumes of parts effortlessly through bill of material processing function or MRP interface

Motion Optimization

SigmaNEST's advanced NC programming can improve machine motion by up to 30%, reduce machine cycle time, and increase efficiency in cutting through:

• Minimum rapid movement across the cutting plate
• Common edge cutting
• Automatic tip-up part avoidance
• Variable part quality using Appropriate Quality Cutting (AQC) technology

Material Handling

SigmaNEST simplifies material handling and improves operational safety through the following features:

• Automatic priority nesting
• Automatic cropping and scrap cut functions reduce skeletons into manageable pieces and remnants into manageable shapes
• Automatic tip-up part avoidance
• Customized reports, including labels with part image and bar codes to facillitate tracking through the secondary manufacturing operations
• Choice of nesting small parts along the edge of the plate for convenient retrieval
• Automatic stop before cropping or returning to home
• Work order tracking streamlining operations and providing real time status info
• Automatic stop for nozzle change

Estimating

SigmaNEST's fully detailed reports provide all the information you need to streamline the cutting operation and provide accurate cost estimates.

SigmaNEST can generate:

• Reliable time and cost estimates based on material grade and thickness taking into consideration feedrate variations for corner ramping and variable quality
• Customized reports to include rectangular weight, true shape area, true shape weight, cutting time, and part cost
• Precise cost estimates for competitive bidding
• Cost comparisons between multiple nozzle and single nozzle nesting
• Accurate net part weight calculation for shipping and/or heat treatment
• Reports and automatic feedback to production management software
• Complete order and work-in-process tracking