Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Pronest CNC: Field Service Bulletin
Pronest CNC: Field Service Bulletin
ProNest CNC
809560
Revision 3
September 2018
Hypertherm, Inc. Hypertherm Europe B.V.
Etna Road, P.O. Box 5010 Vaartveld 9, 4704 SE
Hanover, NH 03755 USA Roosendaal, Nederland
603-643-3441 Tel (Main Office) 31 165 596907 Tel
603-643-5352 Fax (All Departments) 31 165 596901 Fax
info@hypertherm.com (Main Office Email) 31 165 596908 Tel (Marketing)
800-643-9878 Tel (Technical Service) 31 (0) 165 596900 Tel (Technical Service)
technical.service@hypertherm.com (Technical Service Email) 00 800 4973 7843 Tel (Technical Service)
800-737-2978 Tel (Customer Service) technicalservice.emea@hypertherm.com
customer.service@hypertherm.com (Customer Service Email) (Technical Service Email)
866-643-7711 Tel (Return Materials Authorization)
877-371-2876 Fax (Return Materials Authorization) Hypertherm (Shanghai) Trading Co., Ltd.
return.materials@hypertherm.com (RMA email) B301, 495 ShangZhong Road
Shanghai, 200231
Hypertherm México, S.A. de C.V. PR China
Avenida Toluca No. 444, Anexo 1, 86-21-80231122 Tel
Colonia Olivar de los Padres 86-21-80231120 Fax
Delegación Álvaro Obregón 86-21-80231128 Tel (Technical Service)
México, D.F. C.P. 01780 techsupport.china@hypertherm.com
52 55 5681 8109 Tel (Technical Service Email)
52 55 5683 2127 Fax
Soporte.Tecnico@hypertherm.com (Technical Service Email) South America & Central America: Hypertherm Brasil Ltda.
Rua Bras Cubas, 231 – Jardim Maia
Hypertherm Plasmatechnik GmbH Guarulhos, SP – Brasil
Sophie-Scholl-Platz 5 CEP 07115-030
63452 Hanau 55 11 2409 2636 Tel
Germany tecnico.sa@hypertherm.com (Technical Service Email)
00 800 33 24 97 37 Tel
00 800 49 73 73 29 Fax Hypertherm Korea Branch
31 (0) 165 596900 Tel (Technical Service) #3904. APEC-ro 17. Heaundae-gu. Busan.
00 800 4973 7843 Tel (Technical Service) Korea 48060
technicalservice.emea@hypertherm.com (Technical Service Email) 82 (0)51 747 0358 Tel
82 (0)51 701 0358 Fax
Hypertherm (Singapore) Pte Ltd. Marketing.korea@hypertherm.com (Marketing Email)
82 Genting Lane TechSupportAPAC@hypertherm.com
Media Centre (Technical Service Email)
Annexe Block #A01-01
Singapore 349567, Republic of Singapore Hypertherm Pty Limited
65 6841 2489 Tel GPO Box 4836
65 6841 2490 Fax Sydney NSW 2001, Australia
Marketing.asia@hypertherm.com (Marketing Email) 61 (0) 437 606 995 Tel
TechSupportAPAC@hypertherm.com (Technical Service Email) 61 7 3219 9010 Fax
au.sales@Hypertherm.com (Main Office Email)
Hypertherm Japan Ltd. TechSupportAPAC@hypertherm.com
Level 9, Edobori Center Building (Technical Service Email)
2-1-1 Edobori, Nishi-ku
Osaka 550-0002 Japan Hypertherm (India) Thermal Cutting Pvt. Ltd
81 6 6225 1183 Tel A-18 / B-1 Extension,
81 6 6225 1184 Fax Mohan Co-Operative Industrial Estate,
HTJapan.info@hypertherm.com (Main Office Email) Mathura Road, New Delhi 110044, India
TechSupportAPAC@hypertherm.com (Technical Service Email) 91-11-40521201/ 2/ 3 Tel
91-11 40521204 Fax
HTIndia.info@hypertherm.com (Main Office Email)
TechSupportAPAC@hypertherm.com
(Technical Service Email)
1/28/16
Contents
Overview ....................................................................................................................................... 4
Basic workflow .............................................................................................................................. 4
Base features and optional modules ............................................................................................. 4
Base module: ProNest CNC ...................................................................................................... 4
Optional module: True Shape Nesting ...................................................................................... 4
Open ProNest CNC ...................................................................................................................... 4
Adding parts .................................................................................................................................. 5
CAD files ................................................................................................................................... 5
Supported CAD file formats ................................................................................................... 5
Rules for CAD files ................................................................................................................ 5
Adding CAD files to the part list ............................................................................................. 6
Adding Shape Library parts ....................................................................................................... 7
Changing the machine .................................................................................................................. 7
Selecting a material type and thickness ........................................................................................ 9
Selecting a class ......................................................................................................................... 10
True Hole® ........................................................................................................................... 11
Fine Feature ........................................................................................................................ 11
HDi ....................................................................................................................................... 11
Bevel and True Bevel .......................................................................................................... 12
Moving Pierce ...................................................................................................................... 12
Thick Pierce ......................................................................................................................... 12
Underwater .......................................................................................................................... 13
Edge Pierce Only ................................................................................................................. 13
Shielded / Unshielded .......................................................................................................... 13
Set plate size and home position ................................................................................................ 14
Plate dimensions ..................................................................................................................... 14
Home position ......................................................................................................................... 15
Nesting ........................................................................................................................................ 15
Creating a nest ........................................................................................................................ 15
Saving nests for future use ...................................................................................................... 16
Creating multiple nests ............................................................................................................ 16
Errors and troubleshooting .......................................................................................................... 17
Not all parts are nested........................................................................................................ 17
Part is Larger than the Plate ................................................................................................ 17
Empty Drawing File!............................................................................................................. 17
No parts nested – please check your part ........................................................................... 17
Parts on the nest are severely over or undersized .............................................................. 17
Frequently asked questions ........................................................................................................ 17
3
Overview
ProNest CNC is a simple but powerful software program designed to enable optimal cut quality
and material utilization for part programs created on the EDGE Connect CNC (computer
numeric control).
With ProNest CNC, you can build a part list and then use ProNest CNC’s powerful nesting
algorithms to nest those parts to maximize plate usage. Built-in process expertise ensures that
you will get optimal cut quality when cutting the CNC program for the nest.
Basic workflow
ProNest CNC is designed to create a single nest at a time. This means that you can add
enough parts to fit on a sheet, nest the parts, create a program for that nest and then cut it.
4. Choose OK.
You will be taken to ProNest CNC, with that library shape already in the part list.
4
Adding parts
ProNest CNC supports two sources for bringing in parts: external CAD files or Shape Library
parts.
CAD files
CAD files are typically loaded onto a USB stick / thumb drive, which is then plugged in to the
CNC and added in Phoenix. If your CNC is connected via Ethernet or Wi-Fi, you can also add
source CAD files from a network folder.
• .dxf
• .dwg
• .dgn
• .cam
3. Be sure file units of the CAD file match the units used in Phoenix.
ProNest CNC assumes that your CAD files are drawn with the same units as the CNC.
Phoenix can be set to English or Metric Units. When in English Units, CAD files should be
drawn in inches. When in Metric Units, CAD files should be drawn in millimeters.
If units are different, your parts will be too big or too small. For instance, if ProNest CNC is
set to use English Units and you import a part that was drawn in millimeters, the part will be
severely oversized.
If you have CAD files with incorrect units, please correct the problem in CAD instead of
adjusting the CNC’s units.
To view the units used by Phoenix:
5
Adding CAD files to the part list
1. Open ProNest CNC.
2. Choose the Add Part button.
3. Browse to the folder location containing your CAD files. This might be a USB memory
stick or network folder.
4. Select a CAD file, then choose Open.
The CAD file will be added to the part list.
5. Use the +/- buttons to adjust the quantity of the part. You can also choose the number to
the left of the part and type in a quantity.
6. If you have the True Shape Nesting module, you can repeat steps 2-5 to add
subsequent CAD files.
6
Adding Shape Library parts
Note: You can only add a single Shape Library part to the part list at a time, even if you have the
True Shape Nesting module.
1. In the Main screen, choose the Shape Manager button.
2. Choose a library shape.
3. Enter properties for the shape, as needed.
4. Choose OK.
You will be taken to ProNest CNC, with that shape already in the part list.
5. Use the +/- buttons to adjust the quantity of the library part. You can also choose the
number to the left of the part and type in a quantity.
At this point, you can add additional CAD files to the part list (as described above), if
needed.
7
Changing a machine may be used for applications where there are multiple cut tools (for
instance, plasma and oxyfuel) and you want to create a nest for a specific machine process.
8
Selecting a material type and thickness
ProNest CNC assigns different SureCut™ parameters such as feedrate, kerf, leads, and
separation distances on the nest based on material. It is important to select the correct material
type and thickness for the nest.
Once a type has been selected, choose the thickness that matches your plate.
• Use the arrows or scroll bar to page through the list in the upper right.
-or-
• Choose the thickness box at the top of the pane and type in a thickness.
Note: If you are cutting with an oxyfuel tool or generic plasma, neither material type nor class
are available. Only thickness needs to be chosen.
9
Selecting a class
In ProNest CNC, class is used for plasma applications to apply specific cutting parameters
based on the consumables that will be used to cut a nest. It is also used to apply performance
applications such as True Hole® and other technologies to parts on the nest.
The list of available classes is based on the machine (HPR, XPR, etc.), material type and
thickness that is selected.
For plasma systems, the amperage and cutting gas/shield gas can be selected in ProNest CNC
using class. In selecting an amperage and gas, you are specifying which consumables
(electrode, nozzle, etc.) should be used for the parts on the nest. When selecting a class, keep
in mind:
10
True Hole®
Produces bolt hole quality with virtually no hole taper and minimal ding on mild steel. When True
Hole is selected, it is applied to a part's holes automatically based on the ratio of material
thickness to hole diameter. So in a given part, with the True Hole class selected, some holes
may get True Hole while other holes do not.
Pros
Fine Feature
Fine Feature is a technology that is designed for jobs in which the greatest importance is placed
on achieving the best possible finish on the cut surface, a sharp top edge, and tight control over
angle deviation.
Pros
HDi
HyDefinition inox (HDi) 60 A cutting process for thin stainless steel that produces high quality
cuts with minimal dross.
Pros
11
Cons
Moving Pierce
A pierce technique that is combined with PowerPierce® technology to extend stainless steel
pierce capability for the HPR800XD to 4 inches (100 mm) and for the HPR400XD to 3 inches
(75 mm).
Pros
12
Thick Pierce
Uses special piercing commands in EDGE Connect for the HPRXD Thick Pierce.
Pros
Underwater
Underwater cutting can significantly reduce the level of noise and smoke generated by normal
plasma cutting, as well as the glare of the plasma arc. Hypertherm has developed underwater
cut charts for mild steel at 80 A, 130 A, 200 A, 260 A, and 400 A. Select this class if the nest will
be cut with underwater plasma.
Pros
Shielded / Unshielded
For Powermax cutting systems, this indicates to ProNest CNC whether the consumable set in
use is shielded (with a shield) or unshielded (with a deflector).
Because kerf compensation and other cutting parameters may vary based on the consumables
in use, it is important to select a class that matches the consumables in use on your Powermax
system. This will ensure the ProNest CNC includes the correct parameters in the program for
each nest.
13
Please consult the Powermax Operator Manual for more information.
14
Home position
To change the home position that is used for a nest in ProNest CNC:
• Choose one of the four home position indicators on the plate image.
• This corner you choose will become the point of origin for automatic nesting. Nesting will
begin from this point.
Nesting
Creating a nest
After the parts have been added to the part list and the material and class are set, you will be
ready to nest the parts and create a program for the nest.
• Parts in the part list are processed, which includes adding lead-ins/lead-outs.
• Parts are automatically nested on the sheet
• SureCut™ technology is applied, ensuring optimal cut quality
• NC program for the nest is created
Once ProNest CNC is finished nesting, the nest that is created will become the current “part” in
Phoenix, ready for cutting. You can interact with this nest just as you would any other part in
Phoenix.
Notes:
• The orientation of a simple shape might not match the preview. ProNest CNC will
determine the best orientation based on the home location you selected and the
geometry of the part.
• If you choose the Cancel button prior to nesting, you can still view and cut the
part that is selected. However, the part will not be processed through ProNest CNC.
15
Note: After nesting, if you’ve selected a cut area that is larger than the plate size in Phoenix, this
will be indicated by a “Part is Larger than the Plate” warning message.
16
Errors and troubleshooting
Not all parts are nested
After choosing Nest, a message indicates that not all parts in the part list were nested (for
example, “2 of 3 parts nested”). Possible reasons:
• Not all parts in the part list will fit on the sheet.
• Single part is too big to fit on the sheet.
• Some parts in the part list are invalid, empty, or contain multiple exteriors (see below).
• Cut area selected in ProNest CNC is larger than the plate size in Phoenix.
17
If True Hole exists on the current part/nest in Phoenix, a “True Hole technology in use”
message will appear on the Main screen.
Can nests be saved for later use?
Once a nest is created using ProNest CNC, it becomes the “current part” in Phoenix. It
can be saved just as you would any other part in Phoenix
Can I bevel parts with ProNest CNC?
Beveling - applying non-perpendicular cut angles to part edges – is not supported with
ProNest CNC. The term “Bevel” in the ProNest CNC material / class selection panes
refers to Hypertherm Bevel consumables. For XPR systems, standard consumables
(which are all bevel-capable) are used for all classes, including True Bevel.
Can I add multiple Shape Library parts to the part list and nest them together?
Only one Shape Library part can be added to the part list at a time.
Does ProNest CNC support marking?
No. All geometry found in CAD files is cut. Even if there is a designated layer for
marking, the geometry on that layer will still be cut.
Is Collision Avoidance available with ProNest CNC?
At this time, ProNest’s Collision Avoidance feature is not applied to any nests created
with ProNest CNC. There are other aspects of Rapid Part technology, however, that may
be applied when using an EDGE Connect with a Sensor THC, including:
18