Single Part Nesting
Part Model:
In CAMWorksNesting, your part model is a solid created with SolidWorks/CAMWorks Solids or imported into SolidWorks from another CAD system via an IGES, STEP, Parasolid, SAT or other neutral translators.
Nesting of Parts:
CAMWorks Nesting facilitates the nesting of flat or 3D sheet metal parts in addition to solid parts.
Both SolidWorks parts and imported parts can be nested.
Additionally, multi-body parts (parts containing multiple bodies) too can be nested. To know more, read: Nesting for Multi-body parts.
Solid Parts as well as sheet metal parts can be nested using CAMWorksNesting commands that automatically nest multiple instances of the part on a pre-defined sheet and generates a best fit resulting in high sheet utilization and minimal scrap.
CAMWorksNesting provides the facility to nest either a single part or multiple parts in a single Nesting job. Based on the user-input number of instances of the part to be nested and the sheet size(s) defined, either a single nested layout or multiple layouts are generated.
Steps to generate a nested layout for a Single Part:
- Load the CAMWorksNesting Add-In in SolidWorks/ CAMWorks Solids.
- The CAMWorksNesting Menu will be added to the SolidWorks/ CAMWorks Solids menu bar.
- Model or open a sheet metal part/ solid part model in SolidWorks/ CAMWorks Solids.
- Select ‘Create Nesting Job’ from the CAMWorksNesting menu bar.
- The ‘Create Nesting Job’ dialog is displayed. Under the Part Data tab, modify or assign the Part controller parameters for the part(s) as required. These parameters include thickness, material, grain direction, quantity, Step angle, Normal Face Selection as required.
- Under the Sheet data tab, select the required sheet size(s). Modify or assign the sheet parameters such as sheet name, sheet thickness, sheet material, sheet quantity, grain direction, sheet length and width as required.
- In the ‘Nesting Data’ section (bottom section
of the dialog), assign appropriate values to the parameters of Part-to-Part distance
and Part-to-Sheet
distance. Use
the browse button
to
assign a new location for the output file rather than the default
location given in the Output Assembly File field. Fast
Nesting and Optimal
Nesting indicate the two different sets of algorithms used to
implement Nesting. Select the option that best suits your requirements.
- After all the parameters are set, click ‘OK’ to execute the Nesting Job.
This sets into motion the process to generate a nested layout. Generating the layout might take some time depending on the complexity of the part.
Two files will be generated during the nesting process, namely a text file and an assembly file.
After the Nesting process is completed, CAMWorksNesting will display a message indicating the location of the text file containing the summary of the Nest Results. Click OK to close the message. The Text file will be displayed.
The Nested layout assembly will be displayed in the Graphics area. Both these files are saved in the location indicated Output Assembly File path stated in the Apply Nesting dialog.
Note:
To understand how to nest a multi-body body part, read: Steps to generate a nested layout for a multi-body part.