ProNest Standard Features

The following are descriptions of just a few of the standard features of ProNest Nesting Software.

CAD/CAM Import
The CAD/CAM Import feature allows for easy import of existing ESSI and EIA/M&G CNC programs, DXF, DWG, IGES, DSTV and various other CAD formats. CAD layer(s) information is utilized to extract the desired data associated with various cutting, scribing and punching processes, plus bill of material and plotting information. Errors located in the CAD file are corrected automatically, or flagged for a simple edit.  Profile entity smoothing and reduction is performed on jagged line, polyline, and spline entities, based on a user-defined smoothing tolerance to easily manage splines. The CAD Clean-up feature provides the ability to edit/delete layers and entities of CAD files. Tool-paths for profiles are generated on-the-fly, assigning cut direction, profile sequencing and leads upon import.

Variable Shape Profiles
The Variable Shape Profiles feature provides an easy way to create commonly-used geometric profiles within ProNest. A simple interface allows users to specify dimensions for interior and exterior geometries. Any profile in the library may be used in combination with one another to create new geometries, thus providing an endless variety of profiles.

Advanced Edit
The Advanced Edit feature provides an interface that allows for profile editing. From simple changes such as cut sequence, leads, tabs and loops, to more complex modifications including closing open profiles, text scribing, splitting entities (including arcs), deleting entities and single profile NC output. Any updates to a profile may be saved as a “token” file for future use in subsequent nests, eliminating repeated editing and unlimited undo/redo functionality is provided.

Cut Sequence
The Cut Sequence feature allows automatic, semi-automatic and manual control over the cutting order of all nested profiles. The system creates an intelligent sequence that can be modified in a number of ways, and takes into account specific process requirements including thermal dissipation, number of cutting heads, cutting head spacing, and others. For interior profile sequencing, ProNest allows the speed versus the degree of thoroughness to be selected or the system can also be configured to find the best cut sequence strategy automatically. In addition, Cut Sequence Rules permit users to sequence the nest by any process or profile, or a combination of the two. Additionally, traverse settings allow control over whether the torch/head should execute a partial or full raise when traversing away from different types of actions, such as interior/exterior profiles, open profiles, skeleton cuts, crops, etc.

Interior/Exterior Leads
The Interior/Exterior Leads feature offers a flexible and powerful means of automatically assigning internal and external leads to all profiles. A choice of lead styles, sizes, angles and extensions provide the necessary tools to customize them to any user’s specific needs. Lead style and placement on slots may be defined independently of other interior and exterior profiles for improved slot quality. Leads can be applied via a simple default setting or, for more advanced users, can be assigned for a specific material type and thickness from user-defined MS Excel spreadsheets. Additional settings, for instance, precise lead styles for specific size holes, can also be applied, offering an even higher level of control and process automation. 

Process Parameters
The Process Parameter feature provides the necessary functionality to achieve unsurpassed control over the cutting process. Nesting criteria include material, thickness, and part class, which when combined deliver a platform for optimal process results. When profile quality is of the utmost importance, users are provided with easy access to functions including cutting speed, kerf, quality, technology tables, cutting conditions and more.  These functions can be applied independently to exterior profiles, as well as interior profiles of varying sizes. Preliminary machine setups, including an MS Excel spreadsheet containing this data, are provided with the software and may be edited by users to reflect their exclusive needs.

Cutting Techniques
The Cutting Techniques feature gives the ability to control feedrate ramping (faster/slower) requirements for corners and radii. Cutting speeds can be precisely regulated using a MS Excel spreadsheet. Users decide over how many increments, before and after a corner or radius, ramping is applied. In addition, the length and minimum length of each increment, and integral factors such as cutting speed, may be defined.  Different feedrate/increment values may be applied to radii of different dimensions.

Manual Nesting
The Manual Nesting feature allows profiles to be added to a plate of user-defined dimensions. Once on the plate, profiles can then be freely rotated and moved to the desired location. Additional functions including copy, cluster, mirror, array, lead modification and many more, are also included. Part, plate and pierce separation values are dynamically maintained during the nesting process. For situations where a manual override of the separation values is desirable, ProNest is equipped with profile interference detection, allowing for areas of conflict to be visually identified.

Multi-Head
The Multi-Head feature provides support for machines utilizing two or more cutting heads. Rules governing the number of heads, head spacing and minimum head spacing may be established based upon specific job requirements. To optimize plate utilization for profiles of different sizes, users have the ability to change the number of heads and the head spacing within the same nest.

Costing
The Costing feature offers the ability to accurately develop cost and time estimates related to profiles, nests or jobs.  Estimates associated with material, machine, labor and process may be determined from user-defined variables established within default settings and/or MS Excel spreadsheets.

Reporting
The Reporting feature offers the ability to create fast, detailed reports about the job, a specific nest, cut sequence, inventory, etc. A report editor is also included allowing users to create custom reports to meet their specific requirements.

NC Output
The NC Output feature converts nested data in to various machine code formats for export to different CNC controls and machines. The NC output dialog allows output settings to be adjusted on‐the‐fly, including the creation of remnants and skeletons, which nests should be output, and which should not, and a progress screen that displays the status of the output. Machine setups, incorporating specialized post processors for all applications, are available for use with ProNest, some of which are made available as standard.

Configuration Archives
The Configuration Archives feature allows for a copy of ProNest machine setup configuration files to be easily created and stored in a single, bundled file (NCA file format). This backup becomes invaluable in the event of a hardware crash and allows ProNest to restore a previously saved configuration plus streamlines interaction with MTC Software Technical Support.