SigmaTEK Unveils New Nesting Engine

SigmaNEST Version 10 employs sophisticated heuristics and advanced algorithms to optimize part yield, maximize material usage, accelerate machine cycle time and produce the highest quality parts for nesting, NC programming and cutting of steel sheet, plate and tube materials.

SigmaTEK Systems, LLC (Cincinnati, OH), a leading CAD/CAM nesting authority, recently announced the upcoming release of SigmaNEST Version 10.

Powered the industry’s most advanced nesting engine, this latest release represents a leap in material optimization and fabrication process efficiency. SigmaNEST 10 employs sophisticated heuristics and advanced algorithms to optimize part yield, maximize material usage, accelerate machine cycle time and produce the highest quality parts.

SigmaTEK president and chief executive officer Ben TerreBlanche says, “An example of what makes Version 10 special is improved cutterpath planning that reduces machine cutting cycle time and consumable wear extending tool life. New functionality also includes BHQ (Bolt Hole Quality) technology. Specially designed for plasma cutting machines, BHQ improves edge quality by addressing material melting issues inherent to plasma cutting. By tightly controlling this cutting process, BHQ produces the best hole quality eliminating cleanup or rework.”

SigmaNEST product manager James Lindsey adds, “While 3D CAD model import is certainly nothing new to SigmaNEST, this latest release boasts enhanced functionality in that area as well as the ability tap into engineering data. We don’t impose a workload on the engineering department to save work as an IGES, STEP, DXF or any other neutral file format before being handed off to manufacturing. Companies select this software not only for its superior functionality, but also because of its ability to drive multiple cutting, punching and bending machines and import data directly from a number of popular CAD/CAM systems.”

Other Version 10 enhancements include:
. Tight integration with MRP and other manufacturing and business systems to catalog
material remnants for future job runs
. SolidWorks@ Enterprise PDM integration
. Shop floor control with Color Offload and Load Manager

SigmaNEST is a comprehensive software solution for nesting, NC programming and cutting of steel sheet, plate and tube materials, and wood. It is a leading CAD/CAM nesting system for plasma, laser, punch, oxyfuel, waterjet, router, knife, tube/pipe and combination cutting machines. The software ensures superior material utilization, machine motion optimization, and maximum part quality balanced with cutting speed, work flow integration, material handling, accurate estimates and information management.

SigmaTEK Systems, LLC was founded in 1993 and has an extensive global support network with branches in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. www.sigmanest.com