Plate part nesting and stiffener nesting arrange the steel parts on the available plate and profile stock in the most efficient way. This deliverable is important because an efficient nesting reduces material waste and production costs, and it forms the basis for cutting and producing the steel parts.
The part nestings can be exported as DXF drawings. The stiffener nestings can be shown in a report in the Organiser. For both the part nesting and the stiffener nestings, the required material (purchase list) is listed in the Organiser reports. Below an image of a part nesting is shown.
Which SHIP-commands apply?
| SHIP-command | How does it apply to this deliverable? |
| SHIPSETTEXTINPLATE | This command automatically places the Part ID at an ideal location, and unmirrors any mirrored text (if present). |
| SHIPPARTS2DXF |
This command exports the parts to DXF, including their marking and text. Each part is exported to a separate file, and the part ID is placed automatically on the part. It is a best practice to only export the most necessary layers, which this command does as well. This is often a desired input for cutting companies, if the cutting company also makes the nesting. |
| SHIPPLATES2DXF | We can output the plates with the nested parts exploded into DXF, for every plate. |
How can the nestings be used?
- Determining the procurement list: The purchase list of the needed plate and staff material can be found in the Organiser reports.
- Improve plate utilization: Review the part nesting, and see if there is space to improve on. When there is residual space (typically the 'last' plate in a nesting), then sometimes flatbar-stiffeners can be fitted into the plate to utilize this material. Using SHIPSTIFFENER2PART a stiffener (a flat bar), stiffeners can be converted into parts, and then those parts can be fitted into the residual space of a plate. Now, those stiffeners will be cut, instead of bought from staff. This can save costs, as the residual space of a plate is usually viewed as 'lost'.
- Generate NC cutting files: After nesting, NC cutting codes can be generated in order to cut the parts.
- Nesting drawings as burning templates: Printed plate and stiffener nesting drawings are provided for cutting operators. Nesting drawings mark part numbers, dimensions, bevel and section affiliation to guide on-site cutting, sorting and marking.
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