Nesting ENG
Nesting ENG
3.7.24
Nesting
Table of Contents
1 Features 1
2 TCN File 3
3 Nesting graphic interface 4
3.1 Machining list 5
3.2 DefNest.xml 5
3.3 General parameters 7
3.4 Piece parameters 7
3.5 Results 9
3.6 Options 10
Managing sequences 11
Variables 11
Preview 11
Panel properties 11
Importing DXF 13
Squaring 13
Labels 13
Post Processor 13
3.7 Database 14
Logic conditions 14
3.8 Importing a file of another format 15
4 Machinings 17
4.1 Sort orders 17
4.2 Fragmenting scaps 19
4.3 Managing connections 21
4.4 Double Z pass 22
4.5 Labels 23
Nesting
1 Nesting
1 Features
Nesting program is able to place a list of machinings inside a panel by minimizing material loss.
The user is free to choose the parameters, such as the workpiece rotation and the mirror or to
define a frame for the sheet, where the workings cannot be positioned. These last are defined in
the TCN file and can include normal nesting profiles, profiles including scraps or other machinings,
that are ignored by the nesting process. A profile including scraps, (we will call it hole), is a closed
profile inside a nesting profile, within which other nesting profiles can be nested. For example, if
a working consists of a frame, its external profile will be a nesting profile, while the internal
profile will be a hole, in which the material can be used again for other workings and so for other
nesting profiles. The same results can be saved in a TCN file, one for each panel.
Therefore, the list of the workings to be nested will be a set of TCN files. For each of them the
operator is able to set the number of the workings to take into consideration, the rotation step
and the mirror to carry out. As for the default rotation, an invalid angle is set: this means that no
rotation is possible.
The option is disabled by default for the mirror, as well . Therefore, for each working the user can
choose the following options:
Furthermore, each working can be disabled and therefore it cannot be taken into consideration
for the nesting process.
If inside the same TCN file there are more workings, such as the nesting profiles, we are in front
of a Cluster. These profiles now will be always nested together and their reciprocal position will
always remain. The clusters can be useful in the event of complementary workings, which the
user decides to compact in the more efficient way, so that the nesting process achieves the best
sheet covering.
As for the panels on which to nest the workings, the user can choose between the single typology
mode with infinite instances and a multi-sheet mode, where a multi-type sheet list can be
defined. Each list contains a number of available sheets.
Finally, the user can set some parameters concerning the actual nesting process, such as, for
example, the tool dimension, keeping in mind that the workings in the list refer to the path of the
tool centre. The user can also set a forced distance between the profiles next to the starting angle
of the nesting end next to its direction. Some practical examples of nesting parameter setting are
described later.
- Rectangular nesting on the piece dimensions (unless the disabling cluster of the clusters
Nesting
Features 2
Nesting
3 Nesting
2 TCN File
TCN file must contain at least one Nesting closed profile that, on his turn, will contain one or more
profiles containing some scraps that also are closed. Any other machining in the file will be
ignored. A profile is considered as a Nesting one, when the "[P9511] Nesting Geometry" property
is enabled; instead, it is considered as a hole containing some scraps, when its property "Enclose
scraps" is enabled in the Setup.
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Nesting graphic interface 4
The graphic interface of the program is made of three main tabs placed on the top: Nesting,
Workings and Other.
The Other tab contains the link to external programs such as TpaCad, WSC and TecnoManager.
Machinings shows different settings for the best management of the nesting optimisation (for
details please see the chapter “Machinings").
Nesting is the main part of the program, made of a ribbon menu on the top, through which you
can recall the commands to:
Besides this menu, the interface is divided into two sectors that can be selected by means of the
tabs on the left : the list to define the programs to be nested and the management of the
information concerning the resulting panel and any settings of nesting.
On the right, a settled part shows some general parameters and an area below is provided for the
results and their Preview. In addition, a status bar showing the nesting process time frame is
available.
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5 Nesting
The main screen page is equipped with a horizontal split, which allows the user to size the screen
vertically into two areas: the upper one for the input to the nesting process and the lower one for
the results.
This list is defined in a table, where the user only needs to double-click in the Name column
Panel File to enter a file of the machining and the other parameters into the related columns.
In the first column Run there is the activation of the machining. If it is not set, is ignored by the
nesting process.
3.2 DefNest.xml
In the header of the machining list the user can add some columns for the easy edition of any "r"
variables located in the tcn reference file, of course if the external reassignment of the above
variable is enabled.
To perform this configuration the user needs to edit the reference nesting configuration file
located in the “C:\Albatros\System\NESTING” folder and whose name is “DefNest.xml”.
As can be seen after opening the file through a text editor, the format is XML and it follows its
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Nesting graphic interface 6
standards. The parent "Columns" node has an ListDimensions attribute that defines the
dimension of the list. All the child nodes correspond to the single columns and just after the
addition of one of more of these child nodes it is possible to add the columns for the edit of the
"r" variables.
By adding the node that follows the EXEMPLE1 header, when the nesting software is opened, a
column appears that allow the edit, as shown in the figure below. In this example we have
selected a tcn file that has a "r" variable according to the name of the radius (the name is defined
and represented in line of the name of the variable in the .tcn file and it cannot be selected as a
constant within the node):
EXAMPLE1:
(The explication of the meaning of the single nodes is available within the “DefNest.xml” file)
<Column Name="VARIABLE1">
<DataType>172</DataType>
<Format>String</Format>
<Heading>217</Heading>
<StartMessage>0</StartMessage>
<nItems>0</nItems>
<Width>1200</Width>
<Locked>0</Locked>
<Protected>0</Protected>
<Hidden>0</Hidden>
<Decimals>3</Decimals>
<MxListerColumn>0</MxListerColumn>
<Default></Default>
<SaveToFile>1</SaveToFile>
<LoadFromFile>1</LoadFromFile>
</Column>
L Workpiece length
H Workpiece height
S Workpiece thickness
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7 Nesting
- Disabled
- When necessary
- Forced
General Parameters are grouped in the and they fixed right side fixed right part and they are:
o When this option is enabled, the nesting is performed, knowing that the
profiles are the trajectories of the milling cutter centre.
Selecting the relating tab on the left, this program enables the control of both the "Single Panel"
case, where there is only one kind of panel with infinite instances (infinite number of available
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Nesting graphic interface 8
panels to nest the parts defined in the list), and the "Multi Panel" case, where the user enters in a
table all the available types of panels with the relating instances and parameters. This last option
is enabled by checking the box on "Multiple Panels" tab. The list of the parameters that can be set
for each panel is the following:
Panel width
Panel length
Panel thickness
Panel edges
o Edges of the piece in the four directions where the workings cannot be nested
Start vertex
Nesting direction
Typology
o It is possible to assign a certain Type to the panel (a fixed one or a free field
type). For example, only the "A" type shapes will be nested in a panel whose
type is "A".
Colours
o It is possible to assign a certain Colour to the panel (a fixed one or a free field
type). If operates in the same way as Typologies.
It is possible to manage the V Variables. This functionality allows the generation of TCN files,
created at the end of a nesting process, assigning automatically the value of the above mentioned
variables, that have been set through the section provided for that purpose. This last function
must be enabled (see chapter "Options").
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9 Nesting
3.5 Results
The lower area of the program graphical interface is reserved for the nesting results. On the left
side there is a status bar showing the progress status of the nesting process and underneath there
are a counter of the nested machinings on the total amount of the machinings to nest, a counter
for the necessary panels and a percentage of total coverage of the panels.
On the right side there is a ListBox where all the currently nested panels are listed and besides
there is a preview of the selected panel. This preview allows the 2D view by default and the
three-dimensional rotation of the panel and its zoom. Eventually, at the right of the preview
there are some information on the selected panel, such as the coverage of the panel and the total
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Nesting graphic interface 10
available machinings in the panels, besides a button to replace the display of the preview on face
one.
By double-clicking on a single resulting file, the file in Editor will open directly for any
modifications.
3.6 Options
The options that can be modified by the user are grouped in a window that can be reached from
the Settings menu, where nine sections appear. One of these, by means of a password, allows
you to modify the indices of the column of the Piece Matrix in which the information on the
Nesting and Scraps profiles are stored. The other sections allow you respectively to:
set the parameters relating to the preview available in the main window;
enable the import of dxf files and define the number of a tool and z setup position to be
applied to the above profiles;
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11 Nesting
enable the creation of an output support file and any possible Post Processors.
Managing sequences
To manage the writing of sequences, check the relating box and set the number of subroutine call
levels that can be managed.
If the number of the levels rises, the maximum number of nestable machining decreases for each
level, as follows:
Variables
To enable "V Variables", please check its box and click on OK . Then, restart the application.
Preview
Thanks to the control of Preview the application program displays also the panels with partial
results, while the Nesting process is in progress on that panel. Once this option has been enabled,
the user can also define after how many nested workings the Preview will be refreshed.
Panel properties
In this unit there are some settings to manage the workings that will be nested on the destination
panel:
Check thickness: If you enable this option, you can nest the pieces parts in connection
with the original panel thickness, that is the profiles to be nested will be actually nested
on the panels having the same thickness.
Close open profiles by [mm]: This option of closing open profiles allows you to close the
profiles drawn in connection with the selected tolerance in mm.
Ignore strokes shorter than (0.0001 – 0.01 mm): the strokes whose length is less than the
chosen value will be ignored. In the event that the stroke is used in a profile, it will
deleted and the profile will be closed and will be connected to the following stroke.
Disable cluster: the clusters are enabled by default and if several profiles are programmed in the
same TCN.file, they will be nested and they will hold the same relative position defined in the
TCN.file. This configuration is called Cluster. If the Clusters are disabled, the different nesting
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Nesting graphic interface 12
Typologies/Colours: In the application program the user can assign a typology and a colour for
each panel and for each part to be nested. As a result, the profiles to be nested will be effectively
nested on those panels only that have the same typology and/or colour. To define these
typologies or colours the user should click on the "Typologies" or "Colours" buttons respectively.
Through this dialog box (see the picture) the user can manage the typologies that can be assigned
to the panels. To define new typologies he only needs to enable the check-box and to define the
name of the typology; it is possible to manage max. 10 typologies, of which the first one is set by
default as a “general” typology.
If the user enables the Free insertion instead, the typologies will be defined as if they were strings
and so through free insertion from the keyboard. Then, a check "one-by-one" will be made of the
value entered in the machining list and the value entered in the panel definition. By Clicking on
the button of Colours, a similar box with the same features opens. The "Free insertion" setting
needs also a modification of the “DefNest.xml” file, described in its paragraph. To transform the
"TYPE" node or the "COLORS" node from the fixed selection to the free insertion you need to
modify both the reference nodes from the previous value to zero, as follows:
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13 Nesting
... …
<StartMessage>1011</StartMessage> <StartMessage>0</StartMessage>
<nItems>10</nItems> <nItems>0</nItems>
… …
</Column> </Column>
Importing DXF
This option allows you to enable the automatic setting option of the tool number and of the Z
position, reading it directly in the layers of the imported DXF file. If disabled, a dialog box appears
to enter those data for each profile available in the file .
Squaring
It allows the configuration of the options for the squaring profiles that are automatically inserted
by the nesting in Nesting Base.
Options:
if the inserted profiles has to be machined and then available in the matrix;
if this profile has to be machined by a mill-radius machine, with which tool and at which
depth;
Labels
This option enables the printout of the label values, when the nesting results are printed on
paper. In addition, it allows to select the dimension of the character required and which tags have
to be found in the comment of the file to be nested in the list. For example, if in the options the
string value is “trial%test” , this means that there are two TAGS to be found in the comment of the
file, that is “trial” and “test”.
Once they have been found, the value of these tags will be printed. This is the example for a
comment: “Top program [test=123] [trial=Label_144]”
In this case the value printed on the sheet and in the centre of the nested profile will
be“Label_144” in the first row and “123” in the second one.
The order it that of the string describing the codes in the options.
Post Processor
It allows the automatic creation of the nesting results as XML format that can be used by external
programs. Moreover, a BMP file with its own graphic representation is created for each file.
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Nesting graphic interface 14
3.7 Database
In order to permit the resulting panels being correctly "transformed" into a TCN.format file and
then being optimised and executed, it is essential to configure for all operating code all the
elements required for a proper creation of the TCN.file.
Inside this dialog box the user can define new machinings (setup, linear machinings, arcs, etc...),
each of which can have a defined number of parameters, Each parameter is characterized by:
Element Code
Data typology
Description
Logic conditions
Inside the "Data type" field, that we have seen above, it is possible to select the CONDITIONAL
entry. This selection allows the operator to enter logic conditions in order to modify or to assign
some values in accordance to the criterion required.
It is crucial to the smooth operation of the application program that the proper formalism of the
writing of the logic conditioning expressions is used.
In writing the expressions, predefined constants must be used both in CONDITION and in IF_TRUE
and IF_FALSE; the constants that can be used are the following:
N.B.: The constants above are Case Sensitive, so they must be written all with capital letters.
In the same way the operator can use the Condition operators, as follows:
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15 Nesting
>
<
!=
>=
<=
| (or logic)
The conditions are structured as follows (see example), without condition limits, but all at the
same level of parentheses:
I IF_TRUE and IF_FALSE can be absent. In that case the value is not modified and they are regular
expressions in numeric constants, remarkable constants and operators.
VAL=100&ROT=90;VAL=200;VAL=101;
QX>300|QY<100;ROT=90;ROT=180;
It is possible to import the DXF format files, that first are converted into the TCN format and then
are automatically added to the list of the panels to be nested.
To use this functionality, click on the Import command in the ribbon menu.
Import command
A window appears where to select the DXF file to be imported. After the selection, an additional
window appears where to assign the technological properties of the profiles to import. The whole
procedure is more user-friendly thanks to the panel preview, where the reference profile is
highlighted.
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Nesting graphic interface 16
After assigning the technological settings, by clicking on the OK button, the file is created as a
TCN.format in the “DirProduct” folder, set in the "TPA.INI" file. Then, this file is automatically
inserted in the list of the panels to be nested.
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17 Nesting
4 Machinings
The part of the program concerning the machining is also equipped with a ribbon menu on the
top, through which the operator can recall the command to open the control of the sortings, the
settings to split up the scraps, to manage the connections and a possible setting for the double
pass in Z.
Sort orders
Sort order: The sequences of the machinings can be modifying by applying the following
optimisation logics:
o None: The machinings is performed following the order of the lines available in
the tcn.file.
o Descending X: As already shown above, the order of the machinings follows the
represented logic and operates from the greater X, cutting the panel in accordance
with the requested "Delta for Greek fret in sort order". Ascending X sort order
follows the same principle, but with an inverted sort order , while for Descending
Y and Ascending Y the difference concerns the direction of the cut that follows
the X axis instead of the Y axis. In the next picture there is an example of
Descending Y sort order
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Machinings 18
Sort logics
Group Typologies: Standard sort order. So, if this item is disabled, the sort order
performed and used in the creation of the TCN.file for the nested machinings follows this
logic:
2. Sawing
Since each panel to nest can have all these machining types, the results of a standard sort
order without optimisations will be:
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19 Nesting
If this item is enabled, the sort order is grouped by typology, that is, the point 1 is
performed first for each shape, then the point 2, and so forth.
Minimize tool changes: this option enables the optimisation that minimise the changes of
the tools; it is applied as last sequence optimisation.
External profiles always at the end: the external profiles of the nested shapes are carried
out always at the end in order to give priority to drillings and sawings.
Delta for Greek fret in sort order: as in the figures, it represents the distance between the
lines of the greek fret used for the sort order.
Path optimisation: enables the optimisation of the paths to optimize the execution of the
program in terms of time. There are three options available:
o Fastest: performs a geometric optimisation having, as its purpose, the more rapid
possible machining.
o Keep Directions: like in the previous paragraph, but the directions of the
machinings, compared to the original program, designed in the TpaCAD, are
preserved.
Max length of the added lines: used, if the Path optimisation option is enabled. It
represents the maximum length of the segment that can be defined to join both the
shapes, without the tool going out of the piece but continuing in the path.
Max. length of repeated line inside the piece: used, if the Path optimisation option is
enabled. It determines the maximum length of the segment that the program can go over,
if it is required to obtain a return in terms of time.
Length of entry segment: if = 0, entering the piece will take place without any kind of
entry segment, if > 0, this one determines the length (mm) of the entry segment before
performing a profile (and also, as a result, a segment going out of the piece at end of the
profile). It can be used only, if the Path optimisation option is enabled.
This page allows the control of the cuts of the scraps, typically useful to the machine operator for
easily extracting nested shapes.
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Machinings 20
Fragment scraps
Minimum length of the generated stroke [mm]: in the fragmentation of the scraps it
corresponds to the minimum length of a single cut.
Maximum length of the generated stroke [mm]: in the fragmentation of the scraps it
corresponds to the maximum length of a single cut.
Leave residual piece on the edge: if enabled, this options allows leaving some residual
material between cut and edge of the panel.
Depth under the panel [mm]: this option defines the measure of the depth in Z beyond
the depth of the machining already planned in the program. It is possible to enter a
positive value leaving any residue (residual thickness).
Tool: number of the tool used to cut the fragments of the scraps.
Enable on frame only: this option allows the fragmentation cuts on a frame, whose
dimensions have been defined by the following parameters: left edge, right edge, upper
edge, lower edge. Each of these parameters can be set independently.
Single line: prevents the fragmentation cuts of the scraps from continuing to work from
the edge beyond the first nested shape. This means that the only cut of the scraps
obtained is that starting from the edge and reaching the first nested shape (if enabled on
the frame, if the edge is wide enough).
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21 Nesting
Enable connections: this option enables the connections on the nested shapes. More
specifically, this means to obtain some "bridges" between the nested shape and the
surrounding scraps, just to allow some little pieces being properly held by the gap of the
bench.
This page allows setting the connections available on the nested shapes:
Apply to shapes whose max. overall dimension is [mt^2]: this option allows applying
automatically the connections to shapes whose max. overall dimension is defined by this
parameter.
Number of connections: this option allows the user to choose the number of the
connections on each shape.
Length of connections [mm]: this option allows the user to decide the length of the single
connections.
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Machinings 22
This page manages a possible double pass in Z, if it is not possible to cut by means of a single
machining.
Apply to shapes whose max. overall dimension is [mt^2]: this option allows applying
automatically the double pass in Z to shapes, whose max. overall dimension is defined by
this parameter. Double pass in Z means that, while cutting, the machining does not
immediately move down to the defined position, but divides the machining in two
passes.
Residual thickness [mm]: thickness in mm that, starting from the zero position of the
bench, defines the machining depth of the first pass. The depth of this first pass reaches
the residual thickness as above. For example: 5 mm means that the machining will arrive
5 mm before the zero position of the bench.
Speed [mt/min]: speed of the machining used for the first pass.
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23 Nesting
4.5 Labels
After selecting this Tab, the user can manage label printing.
By nesting from Tab Nesting some "Label" working figures (defined in the TpaCAD), in the Label
Tab a print preview appears automatically. By clicking on the single nested figure, you can
display a single label preview on the top left. The red corner allows an easy identification of
the direction in which the label lies on the main panel.
In the main bar, in addition to the four buttons described below, there is the X-Y position of the
label with respect to the main panel, the rotation of the label and the notification whether
the piece has been nested in Mirror.
Print: prints the selected label. The representation of the label inside the figure will
change its colour from red/white to red/black to highlight that that particular label has
been already printed.
Reset print labels: resets the status of the representation of the labels inside the figures
from red/black (label already printed) to red/white (label never printed). See the
command "Print".
The Layout file of the label is defined within the working "Label" in TpaCAD and lies in the
folder “…\Product\Sub\xxxx.xml”. Its syntax shows following rules:
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The elements which may be present more than once in a label are:
[Attributes: ]
[Attributes: Pathfile]
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25 Nesting
All elements have the default attributes (LocationX, LocationY, Length, Height, ASCII).
Each of these elements can be repeated more than once in the same label. The attributes for each
element are:
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Machinings 26
Attribute: TextValue Text to show in case it is fixed (it doesn't come from Barcode
working)
Value [string] Text
Example <…… TextValue="TPA Label" >
Attribute: VisibleASCII If the integer value associated to the field identifier inside the
Barcode working in TpaCAD is > 0, the element is visible; if the
value is =0, the element is hidden
(> 0 show, = 0 hide).
Value TAGI2 … TAGI5 Field identifier
Example <…… VisibleASCII="TAGI3 " >
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Nesting
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