What software is good for nesting?

[knight_toolworks]

so far I just see ArtCAM Pro and ArtCAM Insignia for advanced nesting what about basic? I can't afford the two above right now.

[paco]

It depends on what you need to nest.

Regular shapes can be quite easy and even more saving both in time and material matter to do manually. I have Insignia and it can be sometime deceiving, it really depends on the shapes and their number.

I believe nesting tool are interesting when you have large batch of letters (odd shapes) or cabinet parts. If you have 1000 of say two different model to nest, block copy (as know in ArtCAM products) is the way to go. It'll go faster and will be more material wise too.

If you have Insignia or PRO (trial) try to nest 23" circles into 4' X 8' sheet good... I can fit 8 parts while nesting tool can only fit 7 parts.

For very odd shapes, nesting tool "can" save you something. For more "regular" shapes, block copy tool is the way to go.

What I wish for sometime is a configurable nudge tool along with good snap feature. Snap somewhere (nodes generally) then nudge 1/2 an inches or so and go on the next parts. That would allow very fast hand nesting feature at very low programming expense I believe. I haven't found one CAD/CAM package that have both at the same time; maybe AutoCAD or VECTOR...?

I think VETRIC is planning on to incorporate nesting tool sometime... I'll let them make official announcement. If you would like to see it in VETRIC products, let them know.

[knight_toolworks]

good advice. I always have to worry about grain orientation.

[paco]

To me this doesn't sound as a restriction but rather , it make the nesting process more simple... but often lead to more waste. With no rotation allowed, most nesting tool will nest very fast.

Since you can't spend on Insignia, have you considered outsourcing this need on a short term basis...?!

[hespj]

Two nesting plug ins for Rhino:

http://www.rhino3d-design.com/rhinonest.htm

http://www.rhino-plugins.com/index.php?cont=products&sub=mosaix

and an online nesting facility:

http://www.e-nesting.com/ecnc/

[bcammack]

Here's what we use with out FlowJet.

http://www.mtc-software.com/

[knight_toolworks]

good idea on http://www.e-nesting.com/ecnc/
For awhile I doubt I will do it often enough to pay much for software to do it.

[jf_allie]

I've added a page on Nesting in the ShopBot Wiki:
http://shopbotwiki.editme.com/Nesting

You can add you're own links or comments, but you have to register first.