Blank nesting calculates a series of results according to input constraints. The user may edit the number of decimal digit by choosing the number from the Decimal digits combo box. The user may select any result from the list to display the corresponding constraints in the Result tab illustrated in Figure 6.6.18.

Note: The user can not change type of nesting or unit system when nesting result is obtained.

·           NO. of Outline

This function enables the user to set the number of blank outlines in the nesting result. The default is three. The user is allowed to select multiple numbers to display from a list.

·                  Decimal digits

This function enables the user to set the decimal digits for result display. The default is three decimal places.

·           Output Nest Report

This function enables the user to output the nesting result in HTML format. The interface of the Output Nesting Report is illustrated in Figure 6.6.19.

Figure 6.6.19  The Output Nest Report dialog box

Click Apply button to output the nesting result. The nesting report will be presented automatically in .htm format.

DATE

Display date of the nesting report.

FILE NAME

Enable the user to assign a file name (.htm) and the file path to save the current nesting report.

BLANK OUTLINE COLOR

Enable the user to change color of the blank outline.

UNIT

Display current unit system in nesting report.

PRODUCTION VOLUME / PER COIL

Enable the user to select Production Volume or Per Coil for cost calculation.  

PRODUCTION VOLUME

Enable the user to define production volume.

COIL LENGTH

Display coil length defined in Constraints.

BASE MATERIAL COST

Enable the user to define base material cost.

EXTRA MATERIAL COST

Enable the user to define extra material cost.

SCRAP VALUE COST

Enable the user to define scrap value cost.

CONSUMABLES COST

Enable the user to define consumable cost.

COMMENTS

Enable the user to write comments in the nesting report.

PRODUCT WEIGHT

After using MSTEP to estimate the outline, the program will automatically calculate the product weight according to the dimension of 3D product excluding the inner holeand the density and thickness of the defined material.

YIELD RATIO

Different from the nesting utilization, this option is the ratio between the Product Weight and Pitch * Width.

In the nesting report, the values in Product Weight option and Yield Ratio option can only be output after the user submits the 3D product to estimate the outline, excluding the tailor-welded blank parts.

Click on the Apply button to save the current nesting report as.htm file. Then, the file will be  automatically displayed in the default web browser (PC with Windows operating system). A sample nesting report is illustrated in Figure 6.6.20.

Figure 6.6.20  A typical nesting report

·           Calculate 3D Trim Line

The user uses MSTEP to estimate the outline of blank part. After the calculation, the user will obtain the blank outline. Select any Draw Type nesting calculation and then enter the Position interface to decrease the Pitch, which will activate this button. After the Pitch is scaled, the program will automatically project the adjusted 2D line onto the 3D product part, namely the 3D trim line. Refer to Section 6.6.6.

·           Calculate Addendum

This button can only be activated when the user selects Draw Nesting Type. Refer to Section 6.6.6 for detailed description.

·           Calculate Bridge

This button can only be activated when the user selects One-up Nesting. This option is mainly used to maximize the material utilization. Click Calculate Bridge button to display the dialog box illustrated in Figure 6.6.21.

Figure 6.6.21  Calculate bridge dialog box

Compensating Rate

Compensating rate is used to calculate a coefficient used to determine the bridge size, and the default is 0.9. The user is allowed to modify the value, or edit the default in Default Config.

Bridge

The program can automatically calculate an appropriate bridge value by the empirical formula for compensation according to the current nesting result (Edge Width) and compensating rate. The user is not allowed to modify the bridge value.  

Click Apply button to obtain an appropriate Bridge value. Click Exit button to exit this dialog box. The program will automatically redo the nesting calculation after applying the new bridge value. The nesting result will be updated accordingly.

·           Create Blank Outline

This button will only be activated when the user selects Draw Nesting Type. Refer to section 6.6.6 for detailed description. The calculated outline will be automatically named BLKLIN00 part.

NESTING RESULT

This option enables the user to store the different nesting results conveniently. The user may start recalculation by adjusting some parameters, or switch to a different nesting type without exiting the Nesting dialog box, and compare the result after adjustment with the stored one.

Click the Save button to save the nesting results in this list and the results will be named using the nesting type. Click the Load button to show the selected result from the current list in view area. Click the Remove button to remove the nesting result from the list, as illustrated in Figure 6.6.22.

Figure 6.6.22  Nesting result list