What setting do I use to achieve this in an efficient manner?

[Glstiles]

How do I get this done in Sheetcam? For reference I have to mess with the start points of the cut path on the first piece, so whatever route I take, that has to be the first step. I have to make an operation on a single part, alter the points and sequence, then somehow array them in a manner like the blue numbers. Been struggling with this for a long time.

I have no THC working right now and the 1/4” sheet will
bow on the edges, so I have to alternatingly cut the edges and move inwards.

[sheetcamCS2]

It took some trial and error, but I got fairly close to your pattern.
* create 1 row of sub parts (plates w holes) in your CAD, save as dxf. I used 6 sub parts in my example.
* import into Sheetcam as 1 part.
* make start point adjustments as desired in all the subparts of the row.
* make an array of that row vertically to fill your sheet. (Nesting, Array)
* in Options-'Job Options'-Nesting, select 'Manual Optimization (keep parts together)', then order the rows by dragging and dropping in the sequence you want.
* save the job.
that should do it.

p- sc nesting example 6row.job

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p- sc nesting example 6row.job

(45.54 KiB) Downloaded 1 time

p- sc nesting example 6row.dxf

(10.78 KiB) Downloaded 1 time

p- sc nesting example 6row.dxf

(10.78 KiB) Downloaded 1 time

[adbuch]

Maybe something like this. Or - as sheetcamCS2 has suggested - since all your parts are the same, use some creative editing/grouping as he shows. Many different ways to "skin a cat".

David

welding bench with numbered layers.job

(209.87 KiB) Not downloaded yet

welding bench with numbered layers.job

(209.87 KiB) Not downloaded yet

[Joe Jones]

What are the dimensions of these plates? Could you cut all of the holes and slots, cut all of the quasars, and then simply slice them on X and Y?

Joe

[sheetcamCS2]

@JoeJones had a great idea. Here's a pattern which is similar using common lines/edges.

p- sc nesting example com lines pat 16.dxf

(2.37 KiB) Not downloaded yet

p- sc nesting example com lines pat 16.dxf

(2.37 KiB) Not downloaded yet

p- sc nesting example com lines pat 16 b.job

(15.65 KiB) Not downloaded yet

p- sc nesting example com lines pat 16 b.job

(15.65 KiB) Not downloaded yet

[weldguy]

interesting. Great topic

[adbuch]

The problem I see with the last method is all of the additional pierce points - as far as cleanup and cosmetics go. If edge finish is not a problem with all of these additional marks, then I agree this method will work fine as well.

David

[Joe Jones]

There would be fewer pierce points and they would not be visible. Face one column toward another, and cut out the quasars. Cut the holes and slots as usual. Then slice the sheet on X and Y. No warping. No dimples. No problems.

Joe

[Glstiles]

It took some trial and error, but I got fairly close to your pattern.
* create 1 row of sub parts (plates w holes) in your CAD, save as dxf. I used 6 sub parts in my example.
* import into Sheetcam as 1 part.
* make start point adjustments as desired in all the subparts of the row.
* make an array of that row vertically to fill your sheet. (Nesting, Array)
* in Options-'Job Options'-Nesting, select 'Manual Optimization (keep parts together)', then order the rows by dragging and dropping in the sequence you want.
* save the job.
that should do it.
p- sc nesting example 6row.job.png
p- sc nesting example 6row.job
p- sc nesting example 6row.dxf

I like this man, I will try it out. Thank you!

[Glstiles]

What are the dimensions of these plates? Could you cut all of the holes and slots, cut all of the quasars, and then simply slice them on X and Y?

Joe

They are 4”x10” with a small curve on the bottom of 1 side so I know what side is “Front” when I manufacture. Your method is interesting though. Would indeed be a lot less warping

[Glstiles]

@JoeJones had a great idea. Here's a pattern which is similar using common lines/edges.
p- sc nesting example com lines pat 16 b.job.png
p- sc nesting example com lines pat 16.dxf
p- sc nesting example com lines pat 16 b.job

Will definitely have to spend some time investigating this method. Can I put the parts I have made already next to each other, and have Sheetcam cut only 1 line instead of altering my CAD drawing? I will look into this though

[Glstiles]

The problem I see with the last method is all of the additional pierce points - as far as cleanup and cosmetics go. If edge finish is not a problem with all of these additional marks, then I agree this method will work fine as well.

David

Edge finish does matter as I manufacture for an Ag Equipment company and they are picky. I will look into it though

[Glstiles]

There would be fewer pierce points and they would not be visible. Face one column toward another, and cut out the quasars. Cut the holes and slots as usual. Then slice the sheet on X and Y. No warping. No dimples. No problems.

Joe

Will look into it. It is a very interesting method!!!

[adbuch]

The problem I see with the last method is all of the additional pierce points - as far as cleanup and cosmetics go. If edge finish is not a problem with all of these additional marks, then I agree this method will work fine as well.

David

Edge finish does matter as I manufacture for an Ag Equipment company and they are picky. I will look into it though

The first method would only have a single pierce point per part at the outer perimeter (of course pierce points for the interior features as well). The second method, assuming that the "slicing" would be done using long straight horizontal and vertical cuts, would also require a pierce for each curved corner of every part. So that would be 4 pierce points per part. My recommendation would be to cut each part separately, and stagger the cut parts as you have shown in your original image. In this case, cut quality is probably more important than cut time.

David

[djreiswig]

Can I put the parts I have made already next to each other, and have Sheetcam cut only 1 line instead of altering my CAD drawing? I will look into this though

SheetCam doesn't do common line cutting. You would have to draw the lines and figure in the kerf widths in your cad drawing, then set SheetCam to no offset cutting on open paths.
I usually nest my job manually and then move start points & part order. I like to know where the torch is going to move next.

[Glstiles]

It took some trial and error, but I got fairly close to your pattern.
* create 1 row of sub parts (plates w holes) in your CAD, save as dxf. I used 6 sub parts in my example.
* import into Sheetcam as 1 part.
* make start point adjustments as desired in all the subparts of the row.
* make an array of that row vertically to fill your sheet. (Nesting, Array)
* in Options-'Job Options'-Nesting, select 'Manual Optimization (keep parts together)', then order the rows by dragging and dropping in the sequence you want.
* save the job.
that should do it.
p- sc nesting example 6row.job.png
p- sc nesting example 6row.job
p- sc nesting example 6row.dxf

I was able to do this the exact way you explained and it worked very well. The only problem I run into is I buy 12” sheets at a time, and depending on what orders I have I may only need to cut out 3 full columns, then additional parts as orders come in. I was going to just get the whole job file saved for a full sheet, then delete the parts I dont need for individual orders (deleting 7 columns because I only need 7 and there is 14 total), but deleting anything from the original row deletes the duplicates. Its like I would have to cut a full sheet or none at all. Any suggestions?

[adbuch]

It took some trial and error, but I got fairly close to your pattern.
* create 1 row of sub parts (plates w holes) in your CAD, save as dxf. I used 6 sub parts in my example.
* import into Sheetcam as 1 part.
* make start point adjustments as desired in all the subparts of the row.
* make an array of that row vertically to fill your sheet. (Nesting, Array)
* in Options-'Job Options'-Nesting, select 'Manual Optimization (keep parts together)', then order the rows by dragging and dropping in the sequence you want.
* save the job.
that should do it.
p- sc nesting example 6row.job.png
p- sc nesting example 6row.job
p- sc nesting example 6row.dxf

I was able to do this the exact way you explained and it worked very well. The only problem I run into is I buy 12” sheets at a time, and depending on what orders I have I may only need to cut out 3 full columns, then additional parts as orders come in. I was going to just get the whole job file saved for a full sheet, then delete the parts I dont need for individual orders (deleting 7 columns because I only need 7 and there is 14 total), but deleting anything from the original row deletes the duplicates. Its like I would have to cut a full sheet or none at all. Any suggestions?

Perhaps follow the instructions, but for a smaller quantity of parts. So maybe just do the nesting for 1/2 sheet. Or - if this is a part you sell over and over again, it probably wouldn't hurt to have additional inventory on hand.

David

[djreiswig]

You can disable parts in SheetCam without deleting them. Then run the post with only the parts you want enabled. You can also lock the parts you've already cut so you don't accidentally move one and mess up your remnant layout. There is a menu option to quickly enable and disable all locked parts.