Endless Nesting Workflow, Improved Common Cutting and Faster Quotes

RADAN Designer takes sheet metal geometry from model design to part repair and modification through to manufacture in RADAN 2020.1 from Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence (North Kingstown, RI), playing a pivotal role of CAD/CAM functionality in preparing parts for bending, nesting and cutting. Available in 2020.1 and as an optional free upgrade to existing RADAN 3D users, it contains a material library and several calculation methods to create the correct unfolded shape. Unfolding parameters, such as bend allowances, can be controlled independently of the geometry for more accurate flat blanks, more accurate folding and, ultimately, a higher quality product. Another major innovation in 2020.1 allows for an endless nesting workflow: “When nesting in previous releases, the operator had a list of parts to produce,” explained product manager Olaf Körner. “They started, finished, cleaned up the workspace once the nests were finished and started the next job. Now this new release delivers a more flexible, fluent approach. Parts for additional jobs can continuously go onto the nest to improve machine and sheet utilization, allowing shops to react to changing priorities and simply add more parts without having to clean up the workspace. Nesting and production keep going with no interruption.”

A new Common Grid Cutting algorithm supports common cutting: “When a nest of similar parts is laid out in a uniform grid, this algorithm optimizes the sequence by doing common line cuts first and then once around the perimeter, instead of beginning with the outside cuts,” noted Körner. “This is a much more effective way of working, both for pairs of parts and larger grids. The risk of tipping is considerably reduced and the heat build-up is more predictable. An additional safety check detects floating scrap in punching programs. The high level of automation, coupled with a target of not leaving anything on the machine, means programs are becoming more complex to ensure that everything’s either destroyed or removed. If anything is wrong in the sequence or applied tooling might generate floating scrap, this clearly highlights it.”

The Radtube module includes four new significant functions: First, with information to feed nesters increasingly coming from ERP systems, it can use CSV files to specify the name of the product, quantity and other parameters, negating the need to key them in again. Second, color coding of specific parts ensures quick identification from the design stage through the setup sheet. The part can be identified immediately when the machine finishes cutting so the operator doesn’t rely on recognizing it by shape or size. Two other functions follow this link to identification: improved reporting documentation going to the shop floor includes the color coordination, and introducing a simple line font instead of more intricate TrueType font for text marking and imprinting parts.

RADAN 2020.0 had an option to import single part 3D files into Radquote. In 2020.1, any multi-body or assembly files can be added. For example, a complete SOLIDWORKS® assembly can be dropped into Radquote, which then unfolds all of the sheet metal parts and calculates cycle times to prepare an accurate quote. Improved support for bars and tubes includes the ability to set up a complete library of shapes for cutting – not only traditional shapes such as box sections, rectangular and round tubes, I-beams and C-beams, but also custom designs that can be defined and held in Radquote, ready for use when pricing a job. Since nesting technologies and cycle times are the same for tubes as for 2D, Radquote can provide an accurate cost related to high performance nesting of bars and tubes. RADAN’s powerful connection with WORKPLAN intelligent project management has improved quoting and nesting. WORKPLAN utilizes Radquote to build prices with material costs and production times, and offers a simple and efficient stock-management system for sheet metal nests, including stock reception/withdrawal, inventory, scrap management and part traceability. Interfaced with RADAN CAM programming, data reporting in WORKPLAN and deduction of sheets used is all readily visible.

Radbend is now stronger in programming press brakes for multiple machines by automating some of the steps. Where tooling is compatible, the time to switch a program from one machine to another is reduced by around 30 percent. Improved workflows are another improvement for getting end results with shorter steps. For example, if a potential collision exists, Radbend not only notifies the user, but also remembers the action taken when calculating for collisions on an alternative press brake. Overall, the RADAN roadmap continues to bring all aspects of metal fabrication closer together. For example, because 2D nesting and tube nesting have very similar properties, Radquote is becoming as popular in quoting for tube contracts as for sheet metal – and endless nesting workflow is as effective for Radtube as flat blanks, reducing the time to prepare a quote down to 20 percent of what it used to be.

Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, 250 Circuit Drive, North Kingstown, RI 02852, 855-443-9638, Fax: 401-886-2727, www.hexagonmi.com.