Defined Plate Sizes
Every machine has its own list of standard plates sizes defined on this settings page. A machine can have any number of standard plates sizes: there is no upper limit. However, a machine must always have at least one standard plate size.
All standard plate sizes are rectangular and are listed in "Length x Width" format. For example:
120.000 x 60.000 in.
3000.0 x 1500.0 mm
To add a new plate size:
1. Click Add. The "Add Standard Plate Size" dialog will appear.
2. Fill in the values for Length and Width.
3. Click OK.
To edit a plate size:
1. Select a plate size in the Defined Plate Sizes box.
2. Click Edit. The "Add Standard Plate Size" dialog will appear.
3. Change the values for Length and/or Width.
4. Click OK.
To delete a plate size:
1. Select a plate size in the Defined Plate Sizes box.
2. Click Remove.
Notes:
• The Remove button will be inactive when there is only one defined plate size.
• If you delete a plate size that is marked as the default plate, one of the remaining plates will become the new default plate.
The Default Plate
Each machine must have a "default plate". It is this plate that is immediately available for nesting
whenever you create a new job. Also, it is the default choice for new nests created either through the New Nest Setup dialog (manual nesting) or the AutoNest Setup dialog (automatic nesting). In the Defined Plate Sizes box, the default plate appears with a checkmark next to it.
To set a plate size as the default plate:
1. Select a plate size in the Defined Plate Sizes box.
2. Click Set as Default Plate.
Safe Zones (Default Plate Only)
Scheme
In the Scheme list, select the safe zone scheme that should be assigned to the default plate size. You can also create new schemes or edit existing ones in the list.
Safe zones define areas on the nest that ProNest will consider as "unusable". Perhaps these areas are used for clamping, or maybe they define an area that should be left alone. Naturally, these kinds of areas shouldn't have parts nested on them. During any kind of automatic nesting, ProNest will avoid all safe zones. Also, during manual nesting ProNest will show conflicts between parts and safe zones.
Sometimes, a particular group of safe zones can be used on several different plate sizes. This group is called a safe zone scheme. In ProNest, you can define safe zone schemes and then use (and re-use) them on any custom or inventory plate.
Important: The safe zone scheme selected here will be automatically applied to the default plate only.
Whenever ProNest creates a nest from the default plate, it will use the safe zone scheme selected here.
Torches
Torch Settings
Number of torches
This setting defines the maximum number of torches/heads that are possible. Usually this setting will match the physical limitation of the machine.
Range: 1 to 100
Recommended Value: 1
Important: The remaining torch settings are active only if Number of torches is greater than 1.
Master torch number
For multi-torch operations, this setting identifies the master torch.
Range: 1 to Number of torches Recommended Value: 1
Torch selection
The AutoNest Setup dialog will use this value as its default for "Torch selection".
Choices: Fixed, "Fixed, Then One", Variable
When AutoNest is run, ProNest uses Torch selection to select how many torches are used.
Fixed - ProNest with try to nest all parts using the maximum number of torches allowed (specified by Number of torches). Unless each part quantity divides evenly into the number of torches, a small remainder of parts will not be nested.
Fixed, Then One - Similar to Fixed. Whenever a part cannot be nested using the number of torches, it will try to nest the part with only one torch.
Variable: ProNest will first try to nest all parts using the maximum number of torches allowed. If it cannot place the part, it will reduce the number of torches by one and try again. This process is repeated until it has tried with only one torch.
Minimum torch spacing
If parts are automatically nested using multiple torches, the torch spacing will be no less than this value.
Units: Distance
Range: 0.0 to 10,000.0 in.
Recommended Value: 0.0 in.
Tip: Specify a value of 0 to allow any spacing.
Torch spacing type
The AutoNest Setup dialog will use this value as its default for 'Torch spacing type'. The Part List toolbar also uses this value to define its own torch settings.
Choices: Equal, Fixed, Variable
When AutoNest is run, ProNest uses Torch spacing type to select the torch spacing. The spacing used by ProNest is always limited by the Minimum torch spacing.
Equal: The torch spacing is based on the nest width and the maximum number of torches being used. It is calculated by dividing the nest's width (ProNest y-axis) by the Number of torches.
Fixed: The torch spacing is always the same value (defined by Torch spacing) - regardless of the number of torches used.
Variable: ProNest will first try to nest all parts using the maximum number of torches allowed. If it cannot place the part, it will reduce the number of torches by one and try again. This process is repeated until it has tried with only one torch.
Torch spacing
The AutoNest Setup dialog will use this value as its default for 'Torch spacing'. The Part List toolbar also uses this value to define its own torch settings.
Units: Distance
Range: Minimum torch spacing to 10,000.0 in.
Recommended Value: 20.0 in.
Whenever Torch spacing type is set to Fixed,this value defines the torch spacing used.
Note: This setting is activated only if Torch spacing type is set to Fixed.
Orientation
Multiple torches can extend along either the y-axis (vertical torches) or along the x-axis (horizontal torches).
Choices:Vertical, Horizontal Recommended Value:Vertical
Minimize torch changes
If this is selected, ProNest will minimize the number of torch spacing changes during automatic nesting.
Rather than calculating a part's spacing, ProNest will nest the part inside or near a previously nested part.
Whenever possible, each new part nested will used the same torch spacing as the previously nested part.
Note: This setting is used only when Torch selection is set to Variable.
Torch change factor
This setting controls how often torch changes can happen. As the percentage increases, it becomes more likely that a part placed near a previously nested part will share the same torch spacing.
Units: Percentage Range: 0.0 to 100.0%
Recommended Value: 50%
Note: This setting is activated only if Minimize torch changes is selected.