ArtCAM 17.

Machining Nested vectors

17. Machining Nested vectors

Nesting Introduction.
Nesting is an automatic procedure, which re-arranges selected vectors within a first selected,
border, vector to make maximum use of the available space. This is especially useful if an
expensive material is being used. Offsets for the tool radius and an offset between the toolpath
are defined, so there is enough room to machine out the vectors.

The nested vectors must be closed vectors or if there are vectors inside vectors such as a circle
inside a star, then these need to be grouped to be kept together.

Example
In this example an ArtCAM model with vectors on will already be opened. This model was
generated with the model size the actual sheet size of material that is to be used when
machining out the nested vectors.

 Select Open Existing Model.

 From Examples2, select the model nesting.art.
 Select the 2D view and Zoom out.

There is a mixture of
vectors (grouped,
joined and text) saved
in this model.

It doesn’t matter where

you place the vectors
in the model, prior to
nesting.

The model is clearly shown in white, which is the desired sheet size.

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 Select all of the vectors.

 From Vector Editing select the Nesting icon.

The Nesting form appears.

This form requires input of both a Tool Diameter and

Toolpath Clearance, to prevent overlap.

To allow ArtCAM to find the optimum nesting, the

incremental angle that vectors can be rotated by can be set. If
a Step Angle of 10 degrees is chosen, each vector can be
rotated in 10 degree increments until optimum nesting is
achieved.

Allow Mirrored Parts and Allow Parts in Parts are

advanced nesting options, which may enable the vectors to be
nested more tightly in situations where the less advanced
options are not powerful enough to provide total nesting.

There is an option to generate vectors of the left over material,

which can be used again.

 Select a Tool Diameter of 2mm, and a Toolpath Clearance of 0mm.

 Select Allow Part Rotation with a Step Angle of 15 degrees.
 Select Nest from - Bottom Left and Nest Direction as X.
 Tick Model is Sheet and Don’t Nest inner vectors (preserve groups).
 Select Nest and then Close.

The nesting has filled up one sheet with vectors and displays the second sheet of material with
the left over vectors. The default sheet and sheet1 are showed in grey outline. Sheets are
activated through layers.

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 Select the layers tab.

The controls for the viewing of the sheet are at the base of the page.

The current setting is that sheet 2 is active and is

therefore displayed in view, on the default layer. To
move a sheet into view for machining, then the
required sheet is made active.

 On Active Sheet, select the down arrow and pick Sheet1.

Sheet 1 is now displayed, showing all of the vectors fitted in, leaving a gap of 2mm around
each vector for the tool diameter.

 Select File  Save and enter my-nest in C:\Temp.

Re-ordering Toolpaths
A profile toolpath, with several tool lifts, around the model, will not necessarily machine
areas in the required order. A selected profile toolpath can be reordered where each lift
appears.

 Select all the vectors.

 In the Toolpaths page, select the 2D Profiling icon.
 Select Outside, a start depth of 0, a finish depth of 10.
 Select 15mm for Machine Safe Z, with the home position at 0 0 15.
 Select an End Mill 2mm tool (you may need to create this).
 Press Calculate Now. Select Close.

When machining the nested toolpath, you must use the same tool diameter that you selected
previously.

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The vectors group is machined, but not necessarily in the required order. To see the order of
machining you can either use simulate toolpath or use the toolpath ordering option.

 Select the profiling toolpath.

 Select the Toolpath ordering icon.

The toolpath ordering form appears and the current ordering is

displayed on the toolpath with yellow labels.

With the segment position set at 1 you can manually pick each sector in turn and starting from
one, renumber the segments. This can take some time depending on the number of segments.
The number one is attached to the cursor.

 Click on the numbers in turn to re-order the toolpath, starting with the text.

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 Select Close.

 Simulate the toolpath to check the machining order.

ArtCAM has the option to provide Automatic toolpath sequencing during toolpath generation.

 From the toolpaths tab, double click the toolpath named Profile.

Just above the material selection is the option

sequencing. This allows you to choose from a
variety of options, the order that ArtCAM will
machine each profile.

 From Auto, select Right to Left.

 Press Calculate Now and then Close.

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 Select the profiling toolpath.

 Select the Toolpath ordering icon.

The order now starts at the right hand side of the sheet and works to the left. This toolpath can
be copied and re-calculated for the vectors on sheet2.used for sheet 2

 Select Close.
 From the toolpaths tab, double click the toolpath named Profile.
 Select the layers tab.
 On Active Sheet, select the down arrow and pick Sheet2.
 Select the toolpaths tab.
 Select the vectors and rename toolpath as sheet2-profile and press
Calculate Now and then Close.

There are now two toolpaths in the model. These can be post-processed.

 Click the Save Toolpaths button on the Toolpath toolbar.

 Save each toolpath in select C:\temp, file name sheet1-vectors and

sheet2-vectors

 Select File  Save and enter my-nest in C:\Temp.

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