SigmaNEST Packages


SigmaNEST simply is the best nesting software in the industry. The proprietary nesting engines, developed and maintained by an expert team of mathematicians and engineers, offer unparalleled material utilization and nesting efficiency. SigmaNEST runs on every type of machine, delivering maximum versatility and scalability to meet your requirements for today and beyond.

PowerPack


SigmaNEST PowerPack is our most comprehensive package. PowerPack combines advanced nesting and NC programming (Techno) with increased operational efficiencies of job tracking and inventory control (Maximizer). PowerPack maximizes material efficiency, minimizes scrap, increases machine productivity, and streamlines overall production. It is ideal for all profile cutting machines including: plasma, laser, waterjet, oxyfuel, router, and combination machines. Punch machines have their own PowerPack solution.
  • Multiple advanced nesting algorithms for maximum material yield
  • Automatic part pattern recognition
  • Accurate cost and time estimators
  • Adaptive nesting for multi-head machines
  • Drag, drop, and bump features
  • Pre-piercing and tip-up crash avoidance
  • Bridge, chain, and common-line cutting
  • Track remnants and stock through a single interface
  • Automatic batch processing of Bill of Materials
  • One software to program all major profile cutting and punching machines
  • Maximum flexibility in file conversion and importation
  • Automates challenging nesting and cutting tasks
  • Higher levels of continuous cutting with minimal pierces
  • Effectively manage raw material inventory for maximum consumption of remnants
  • Simplify work order tracking from beginning to end
  • Streamline planning with accurate time and cost estimates before cutting
  • Save engineering time through simplified programming and more efficient machine output
  • Reduce or eliminate scrap
  • Handle more orders in less time
  • Extend life of machine consumables
  • Improved control of inventory
  • Completely customizable through SigmaNEST’s open architecture

Techno


SigmaNEST Techno™ optimizes machine through-put with advanced nesting and NC programming, including common-line, bridge, and chain cutting. Techno functionality increases machine productivity, manages remnants, and minimizes scrap, and is ideal for plasma, laser, waterjet, oxyfuel, router, knife cutters and combination machines. Punch has its own Techno module.
  • Automatic and manual advanced true shape nesting
  • Automatic part pattern recognition
  • Accurate cost and time estimators
  • Adaptive nesting for multi-head machines
  • Drag, drop, and bump features
  • Common- line, bridge and chain cutting
  • Pre-piercing and tip-up crash avoidance
  • One software to program all major profile cutting and punching machines
  • Higher levels of continuous cutting with minimal pierces
  • Maximum flexibility in file conversion and importation
  • Reduce or eliminate expense related to scrap
  • Extended life of machine consumables
  • Accurate planning with accurate time and cost estimates before cutting

AutoNEST


One software program for all major profile cutting and punching machines. SigmaNEST AutoNEST is an easy-to-use, powerful rectangular and manual nesting NC programming solution for plasma, waterjet, oxyfuel, and router machines.
  • Automatic part pattern recognition
  • Accurate cost and time estimators
  • Drag, drop, and bump features
  • Automatic and manual rectangular nesting
  • Automatic NC toolpath generation and optimization
  • Extensive, fully customizable standard shapes library
  • Extensive CAD capabilities
  • One software to program all major profile cutting and punching machines
  • Optimal rectangular material utilization to reduce scrap
  • Maximum flexibility in file conversion and importation
  • Custom shapes can be saved into standard part library for futur use
  • Streamline planning with accurate time and cost estimates before cutting
  • Full functionality of machine technology achieved
  • Save engineering time through simplified programming and more efficient machine output
  • AutoNEST nesting provides maximum rectangular yield per sheet
  • Handle more orders in less time
  • Completely customizable through SigmaNEST’s open architecture

Maximizer


SigmaNEST Maximizer™ combines the power of SigmaNEST TrueShape™ nesting with the operational efficiencies of job tracking and inventory control solutions. Greater efficiency results from part-in-part nesting, order management and combining orders, and enhanced sheet tracking and verification. Maximizer can be used with plasma, laser, waterjet, oxyfuel, router, punch, and combination machines.
  • Multiple advanced nesting algorithms for maximum material yield
  • Automatic part pattern recognition
  • Accurate cost and time estimators
  • Adaptive nesting for multi-head machines
  • Drag, drop, and bump features
  • Track remnants and stock through a single interface
  • Automatic batch processing of Bill of Materials
  • One software to program all major profile cutting and punching machines
  • Maximum flexibility in file conversion and importation
  • Higher levels of continuous cutting with minimal pierces
  • Effectively manage raw material inventory for maximum consumption of remnants
  • Simplify work order tracking from beginning to end
  • Streamline planning with accurate time and cost estimates before cutting
  • Save engineering time through simplified programming and more efficient machine output
  • Reduce or eliminate scrap
  • Improved control of inventory
  • Completely customizable through SigmaNEST’s open architecture

TrueShape


SigmaNEST TrueShape™ builds from the AutoNEST core functionality and adds more dynamic, part-in-part nesting for reducing or eliminating scrap. TrueShape is compatible with plasma, laser, waterjet, oxyfuel, punch, and combo machines.
  • Automatic part pattern recognition
  • Part-in-part nesting
  • Accurate cost and time estimators
  • Adaptive nesting for multi-head machines
  • Drag, drop, and bump features
  • Automatic and manual true shape nesting
  • Automatic NC toolpath generation and optimization
  • Extensive, fully customizable standard shapes library
  • One software to program all major profile cutting and punching machines
  • Optimal material utilization to reduce scrap
  • Maximum flexibility in file conversion and importation
  • Custom shapes can be saved into standard part library for future use
  • Streamline planning with accurate time and cost estimates before cutting
  • Save engineering time throughs simplified programming and more efficient machine output
  • TrueShape nesting provides maximum yield per sheet
  • Handle more orders in less time
  • Completely customizable through SigmaNEST’s open architecture

Additional Modules


Machine Modules

  • Provides programming for land, knife, K and blind bevels, corner loops and start slots, advanced height sensing and multi-cut single bevel head support.
  • *Requires the base AutoNEST package.
  • Provides interactive and automatic tooling, tool management and sorting, 2.5D milling and automatic repositioning.
  • *Requires minimum of TrueShape package.
  • Provides the necessary NC programming for basic to ultra-sonic knife cutters. Key features include:
  • Allows for multi-passes to reduce blade overload/breakage.
  • Calculates (auto or manual) depth for multi-passes.
  • Compensates for machine limitations with lift angle capabilities
  • Control of knife force pressure based on materials.
  • Provides automatic shear nesting, automatic dimensioning of the nesting plan, and material utilization reports. Sheer Nesting requires the AutoNEST package, and is included in the PowerPack package.
  • Supports most waterjet cutting systems including ESAB, Jet Edge, Flow, Omax, Romeo, Bystronic, and others.
  • Auto setup for cutting conditions, feed rate,and abrasive rate for required cut quality.
  • 5-axis bevel cutting, including knife and land bevels
  • Intricate detail cut with auto acceleration/de-acceleration programming
  • Advanced auto, pre-nesting and multi-nozzle nesting
  • Auto feed rate and power ramping
  • Provides programming for single- or multi-spindle routing machines in 2D profile cutting applications. The program is ideal for high-efficiency production in frame, boat and furniture manufacturing. Automatic router bit oscillation for smooth cutting. Key features include:
  • Automatic adjustment of lead in lines for positioning
  • Z-depth tabs
  • Mortise and Tenon
  • Depth control and tabs

Design/Geometry Modules

  • ScanLine is a powerful raster to vector application for converting scanned diagrams to SigmaNEST geometry with:
  • Entity recognition
  • Conversion of everything or a selection to vectors
  • Center line (sketch) conversion
  • Silhouette (outline) conversion
  • Raster / vector overlay
  • User-definable parameters
  • HVAC is specifically geared to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning industry. In addition to the Blow Pipe Fittings package, SigmaDUCT HVAC adds:
  • Built-in knowledge of industry tables
  • Integrated nesting and NC generation
  • Cut-to-Length is a general purpose, cut to length nesting and orders and raw material management system for steel stockholders, distributors and warehouses. It is a linear nesting bar stock and sections management system with:
  • Linear nesting optimization
  • Automatic bill of material processing
  • Cut schedule
  • Raw material tracking
  • Drop management
  • Blow Pipe Fittings is used for designing and unfolding 3D transitions and welded fittings for blow pipe, boiler making and general fabrication applications.
  • Selectable weld joints and connections
  • Alignment marks
  • 3D DXF wireframe import with surface patch definition
  • Gored and reduced gored elbow
  • Branches and Y-pieces
  • Taps, nozzles and intersecting cones
  • Offset, skewed, and combination shapes:
  • Oval-to-round
  • Oval-to-oval
  • Rectangle-to-round
  • Gored and reduced gored elbow
  • Rectangle-to-oval
  • Taps, nozzles and intersecting cones

Punch Machine Packages


Our punch machine packages are designed for businesses that focus heavily on turret and punch fabrication.

Punch PowerPack


SigmaNEST Punch PowerPack is the most comprehensive sheet metal software for automatic nesting for punch machines providing benefits through the entire order lifecycle. It’s ideally suited for high volume part production. PowerPack includes all the functionality of Punch Basic and Punch Techno, plus:
  • Turret set up optimization for production run
  • Turret set up versus material yield optimization
  • Job tracking and scheduling
  • Inventory control
  • Extensive, fully customizable standard shapes library
  • Interactive part and nest mode tooling
  • Manual and automatic repositioning
  • Automatic tool sorting
  • Manual tabbing, micro-joints, and automatic tabs on all parts based on user-defined strategies
  • Drop door support
  • Tool safety zones
  • Part-in-part nesting according to exact shape geometry
  • Highest level of coordination of tools with work order schedule and priorities
  • Ideal for MRP integration
  • Higher efficiencies in tool and work order management
  • One software programs all major profile cutting and punching machines
  • Optimal material yield through tighter nests and reduced remnants
  • Save time with reduced tool changes
  • Maximum flexibility in file conversion and importation
  • Using a single software for multiple machines reduces programming and training time required
  • Optimal material utilization to reduce scrap
  • Save engineering time through simplified programming and more efficient machine output

Punch Techno


SigmaNEST Punch Techno, the second-tier sheet metal software, maximizes material efficiency and machine through-put using advanced nesting functionality. “Auto dynamic nesting,” available in the Punch Techno and higher modules, combines nesting benefits with automatic tool selection to reduce manual programming and avoid time-consuming changes during the punching process.
  • Auto-dynamic nesting with tooling and tool compensation
  • Tool management and substitution
  • Mixed-part and dead-zone nesting
  • Common-line tooling
  • Auto-repositioning
  • Automatic tabbing and micro-joints
  • Turret setup tracking and reporting
  • Drop Door Support
  • Higher efficiencies in tool management
  • Automatic recognition of best sheet in inventory, even non-rectangular remnants
  • Better shop floor planning with accurate costs and time estimates
  • Using a single software for multiple machines reduces programming and training time required
  • Optimal material utilization to reduce scrap
  • Save engineering time through simplified programming and more efficient machine output

Punch Basic


SigmaNEST Punch Basic is the entry-level sheet metal software for single part nesting with punch machines and is ideal for environments that utilize single or multiple machine types because it works with all major profile and punch and punch combo machines.
  • Single interface for tool library and turret configuration
  • Interactive part and nest mode tooling
  • Manual repositioning
  • Automatic tool sorting
  • Manual tabbing and micro-joints
  • Drop door support
  • Tool safety zones
  • One software to program all major profile cutting and punching machines
  • Save time with reduced tool changes with auto-sort
  • Maximum flexibility in file conversion and importation
  • Custom shapes can be saved into standard part library for futur use
  • Using a single software for multiple machines reduces programming and training time required
  • Save engineering time through simplified programming and more efficient machine output

Punch Combo


SigmaNEST Punch Combo combines the functions of SimgaNEST AutoNEST for profile cutting with SigmaNEST Punch functionality to best coordinate sheet metal cutting and punching process with single and combined orders. Provide punch/plasma and punch/laser machines with:
  • Automatic and manual NC tool path generation
  • Tool management and substitution
  • Nesting in dead zones and under clamps
  • Automatic and manual punch tooling
  • Pre-pierce punching
  • Auto-repositioning
  • Automatic tabbing and micro-joints
  • Turret setup tracking and reporting
  • Drop door support
  • Higher efficiencies in tool management
  • Less time wasted for tool changes
  • Automatic recognition of best sheet in inventory, even non-rectangular remnants
  • Better shop floor planning with accurate costs and time estimates
  • Higher efficiencies in tool management
  • Less time wasted for tool changes
  • Automatic recognition of best sheet in inventory, even non-rectangular remnants
  • Better shop floor planning with accurate costs and time estimates

Punch Laser


SigmaNEST is focused on making sheet metal nesting software a key enhancement for punch and punch combination machines, and coordinating functionality between nesting and tooling to improve production time.
SigmaNEST offers four tiered packages covering basic, single part nesting to Auto Dynamic Nesting and Tooling along with inventory and order management. For combination machines, SigmaNEST combines the best and most appropriate modules to enhance both the punch and laser or plasma processes.
  • Powerful selections for punching and cutting
  • Use multiple processes on the same part
  • Support for extended technology (such as tabbing)
  • Strong sequencing control for safe and fast machine motion
  • Repositioning as needed for maximum sheet utilization
  • Flexible tabbing strategies for sheet stability
  • Full support for material handling and part removal systems
  • Interactive part and nest mode tooling
  • Auto dynamic nesting and tooling (certain packages)
  • Common-line tooling (certain packages)
  • Drop door support
  • Turret set up and tracking (certain packages)
  • Inventory and order management (certain packages)
  • Automatic or manual process selection
  • Easily punch and cut complex holes that involve multiple operations
  • Support for all of your forming operations

Shop Floor Operations


More than nesting software, SigmaTEK provides inter-operable software and tools designed to transform your business through automation and advanced data management.

SimTrans™


SimTrans™ is an online transaction manager between SigmaNEST and the MRP system either via shared databases or program interfaces. SigmaNEST resides at the center of machining operations and maintains its own database of parts, work orders and material. SimTrans permits internal information other IT systems to communicate with SigmaNEST and its databases.

Color Offload™


Color Offload™ enables easier parts sorting after cutting when true shape nests contain co-mingled orders. Parts related to a specific order share the same color on the nest layout within the system for quick reference during sorting.

Machine Console™


Machine Console™ provides on-demand or “just in time” nesting, ideally suited for medium-to-large and high-volume sheet processing sites. After a work load is drawn from an MRP system or maintained manually, it’s prioritized based on given attributes. Machine Console then draws from that work load, determines an optimum nest and specifies the sheet to be used for maximum utilization.

CAD Interfaces


CAD Interfaces SigmaNEST provides a high level of integration with major CAD/CAM products. The import process is initiated from the SigmaNEST tool bar, and in most cases, transparently invokes the corresponding application in the background to perform necessary preprocessing of the model before it is placed directly on the SigmaNEST work space. SigmaNEST has interfaces to the following products:

Load Manager


Load Manager is an application designed for machine scheduling and load management.
  • Interactive load rebalancing
  • Job reassignment
  • Dynamic job progress tracking
  • Graphical representation of machines load
  • Automatic compatibility checking

Load Unload


Load Unload can be used by manufacturers utilizing machinery equipped with load-unload automation equipment. These machines come equipped with a scheduling solution for the loader using master programs that call a sub-program to some repeat quantity. This module functions much like the SigmaNEST FMS application with the exception of the output to drive the machine and the load-unloader.

Stock Manage


Stock Manage a raw material viewing and tracking utility.
  • Stock viewing screen
  • Stock order updating
  • Work order management integration
  • Network access to SigmaNEST stock

Operations Planning and Management


For consulting and custom work, see more details on the SigmaTEK Services page.
  • Estimating and Quoting is a module that utilizes the valuable parts and nesting data in SigmaNEST to produce formal time estimates and part pricing quotes in seconds.
  • Automatically calculate part area, cut length, and pierce numbers
  • Calculate part costs with an integrated costing model featuring user-defined parameters for machine recovery rate, operator costs, and other overhead and consumable materials
  • Calculate processing time based on the nominal feed rate, material type and thickness, machine acceleration, part quality specifications, rapid traverse, an d head up-down movement on piercings
  • Integrated stock and remnant material database
  • Browse remnant database and select remnants according to graphical representation, size, thickness, or material type
  • Event-based inventory consumption tracking
  • Graphical plate history and traceability, including sheet number, dimensions, material grade, heat number, etc.
  • Inventory status and cost reporting
  • Import/export capabilities- new plates received or sold, and material consumed
  • Automated nesting task set up
  • Integrated order database
  • Combine work orders for scrap reduction
  • Automatic party quantity tracking
  • Part production scheduling
  • Work order status reporting
  • SigmaNEST file converters are stand alone utilities that transform the file formats of several products to the SigmaNEST file format. These utilities are distinct from SigmaNEST’s native ability to import DXF, DWG, IGES and HPGL files and also distinct from the CAD/CAM integration modules.

SimGenie


SimGenie (LMS - Line Management System, application or module) provides flexible and automatic control for material handling and processing, giving laser shops the most efficient and productive manufacturing capabilities.
  • “Smart scheduling”
  • Archiving and reporting of job data
  • Inventory tracking
  • Seamless integration with CAD/CAM nesting systems
  • Real-time progress reports
  • Error recovery
  • Comprehensive diagnostics

One Nesting Software that Supports All Fabrication Machines

Powered by the industry’s most advanced CAD/CAM nesting engine, SigmaNEST features and enhancements make cutting machine programming even more effective and easier for every fabrication machine in every industry