Lantek Expert Cut: Cut Module Reference Manual

Lantek Cutting module configuration
Lantek Expert Cut

Cut module reference manual
www.lantek.es
Contents
1.1 General ..................................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Startup ...................................................................................................................... 7
1.3 Sheet clamps.......................................................................................................... 10
1.4 Fixture..................................................................................................................... 17
1.5 Work chutes............................................................................................................. 18
1.6 Lift / Grip ................................................................................................................. 19
1.7 Save Options .......................................................................................................... 24
1.8 Work Zone .............................................................................................................. 31
1.9 Reposition............................................................................................................... 33
1.10 Sheet turn over ...................................................................................................... 39
1.11 Grid ........................................................................................................................ 41
1.12 From Point ............................................................................................................. 43
1.13 Sheet Data............................................................................................................. 44
1.14 Upload / Download sheets .................................................................................... 46
1.15 Sheet Remnants.................................................................................................... 48
1.16 Configure machines: Properties of material thickness .......................................... 53
1.16.1 Configure machines: Dependent data of material - thickness ........... 54
1.16.1.1 Cutting parameters............................................................................. 54
1.16.1.2 Sheets Data........................................................................................ 56
1.16.1.3 Automatic technology ......................................................................... 57
1.16.1.4 Lead-in / Lead-out values................................................................... 59
1.16.1.5 Automatic Lead-in / Lead-out values.................................................. 60
1.16.1.6 Micro joint values................................................................................ 65
1.16.1.7 Automatic micro joint values............................................................... 66
1.16.1.8 Loop values ........................................................................................ 67
1.16.1.9 Chamfer values .................................................................................. 69
1.16.1.10 Bridge values...................................................................................... 70
1.17 Cutting parameters ................................................................................................ 72
1.18 Common Cutting parameters ................................................................................ 79
1.19 Multitorch data ....................................................................................................... 84
1.20 Automatic nesting .................................................................................................. 89
1.21 Automatic machining ............................................................................................. 94
1.21.1 Cut .......................................................................................................... 94
1.21.2 Component removal ............................................................................. 112
1.21.3 Automatic Cycles on Lead-in................................................................ 116

1.22 Lead-in / Lead-out values .................................................................................... 121
1.23 Automatic Lead-in / Lead-out values................................................................... 123
1.24 Micro joint values................................................................................................. 128
1.25 Automatic micro joint values................................................................................ 129
1.26 Loop values ......................................................................................................... 130
1.27 Chamfer values ................................................................................................... 132
1.28 Bridge values....................................................................................................... 133
1.29 Post processor..................................................................................................... 135
1.29.1 General................................................................................................ 135
1.29.2 Block numbering.................................................................................. 136
1.29.3 Free tape ............................................................................................. 137
1.29.4 Specific of cut (only cutting machine).................................................. 138
1.29.5 Reserved ............................................................................................. 140
1.30 Tables of technology ........................................................................................... 140
1.31 Time calculation................................................................................................... 145
1.31.1 Cutting parameters .............................................................................. 145
1.31.2 Reposition / Extracts ........................................................................... 147
1.31.3 Accelerations ....................................................................................... 148
1.31.4 Linear cut accelerations ...................................................................... 148
1.31.5 Circular cut accelerations .................................................................... 149
1.31.6 Postprocessor words ........................................................................... 150
1.31.7 Upload / Download sheets .................................................................. 151
1.32 Cost calculation ................................................................................................... 152
1.33 Annex A: Show on sheet the machining modifications made on parts ............. 154
1.33 Annex B: Ink-Jet ................................................................................................ 156
1.33 Annex C: Manual Lead-in / Lead-out assignation ............................................. 159
1.33 Annex D: Manual micro-joint assignation .......................................................... 162
1.33 Annex E: Manual Loop assignation................................................................... 163
1.33 Annex F: Manual bridge assignation ................................................................. 164
1.33 Annex G: Laser parameter ................................................................................ 166
1.33 Annex H: Water parameters .............................................................................. 168
1.33 Annex I: Simple cycle ....................................................................................... 168
1.33 Annex J: Example of different number of sheets with multitorch ...................... 169
1.33 Annex K: Example - Assignation of the dimensions of the contour ................... 170
1.33 Annex L: Cut- Configure Execution of fixed cycle .............................................. 171
1.33 Annex M: Extraction - Configure carriage movement ........................................ 172
1.33 Annex N: Technology - Micro-joints .................................................................. 176

1.33 Annex O: Main element - Work Center - Cutting machine - Tools .................... 182
1.33 Annex P: Rapid movements.............................................................................. 178
1.33 Annex Q: Button bar for tool selection............................................................... 182
1.33 Annex R: Material thickness properties: Lead-in / Lead-out - Add elements .... 184
Introduction
Name: Lantek Cut Iso... (Cutting machine)
To configure cutting machines, go to Work centers -> Action list -> Work center configuration ->
Machine option. You need to select Cutting machine in the table.
The parameters that can be configured are divided in different sections. In order to configure the
parameters of a particular section, double click on it or select the desired one and press the
button. Configure. These sections are:
1.1 General
This option enables configuration of the parameters in the General section of the machine:
Linear tolerance (e.g.0,01000 ) & Angular tolerance (e.g. 0,100 )
The system is going to make calculations with these values. The machine tolerance must be
configured in Postprocessor - General (See page 135).
Process the lead-in/lead-out, loops and micro-joints in the automatic nesting
If this parameter is activated, the space needed for leads, loops and micro-joints will be
considered in Automatic Nesting. The space left between parts could be enough but the system is
not going to guarantee the avoid of overlapping of parts with leads, loops or micro-joints unless
this option is enabled.
Use the minimum rectangle of parts and Angle step (e.g. 1,000 )
If this parameter is enabled, the parts will be turned so that the rectangle formed by the corners
(X-minimum, Y-minimum), (X-minimum, Y-maximum), (X-maximum, Y-minimum) and (X-
maximum, Y-maximum) of the selected part has the minimum area. Where:
X-minimum is the smallest X level of all the points of the part.
X-maximum is the greatest X level of all the points of the part.
Y-minimum is the smallest Y level of all the points of the part.
Y-maximum is the greatest Y level of all the points of the part.
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With the minimum rectangle, the system will try to rotate the part and calculate the minimum area
used on the sheet by the part. The increments of angle to try is what Angle Step sets up. Then, in
the Automatic Nesting the program will place the part in the angles allowed (this can be
configured on Rotation Possibilities in the Automatic Nesting (See page 89) dialog).
In some cases, activating this parameter, may produce Nesting with better usage of the sheet.
Favorite position for minimal rectangle
With this parameter the user can define the “Favorite position for minimal rectangle”. Once the
minimum rectangle of a part has been calculated to perform the nesting or to rotate a part, the
user will be able to rotate it and will be able to leave it in horizontal and/or vertical depending on
this parameter. The minimum rectangle will have the same dimensions after the rotations
There are 3 possible operations to define the preferred position for the minimum rectangle:
Horizontal, vertical, any of them. If the last one is active, the system will work as it has been
working. The system will calculate a minimum rectangle and it does not care if it is vertical or
horizontal.
Calculate the part dimensions without the auxiliar geometry
Auxiliar geometries are those which are included with the part for the machining process: leads,
loops, micro-joints. If this option is enabled, the system will use the real part dimension without
these geometries.
Restrict rotations in manual mode
If enabled, the system will not allow to place parts rotated on the nesting manually if the angle
has not been allowed on the part. The rotations for each part can be configured on the
Manufacturing Orders module, clicking with the right button over the part and choosing properties
will show the part configuration, clicking on more button, the rotations and symmetries
possibilities will be shown.
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Prompt for data when ordering contours
The system automatically can assign cutting order to the contours in different steps of the
program:
- When saving the part

- When the nesting module is executed
Both options can be configured in: Work center -> Action list ->Work center configuration -> Save
options.(See page 24)
When this option is enabled, the system will show the Contour Ordering dialog. Here, the user
can configure the contour order (Clockwise or counter clockwise) that will be applied to the parts.
Clicking on button (i.e. ) will show this dialog too. This is the way for configuring the contour
ordering by default.
If the prompt for data when ordering contour option is disabled, the selected contour ordering will
be applied automatically in any of the previous configured assignation (when saving part or when
executing nesting module).
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Name of the CNC = Order, Number of characters (e.g 3) and Allow large names
Name of the CNC = Order: If this parameter is enabled, the name of the CNC file will start with
the name of the manufacturing order.
Number of characters: The number of characters that will be added to the manufacture order's
name to identify the CNC file.
Allow large names: Allows the CNC file to have names with more than 8 characters.
Prompt for CNC reference:
This option is used when a nesting module or nesting part is saved. There are four options:
No: The system will never ask for the CNC name.
Only if the sheet is new and the file already exists: In this option if the sheet is new and the CNC
name already exists in the default directory, the system will display a message to overwrite the
file or change the name and/or directory.
Only if the sheet is new: If the sheet is new, the system will ask the user , to specify new name
and the CNC directory.
Always: In this option when generating a new CNC, the system will browse a panel for the name
and directory.
In the first case, the directory where the CNC is going to be stored will be the default one. For this
case each time the machining is initialized and saved, a new CNC will be created.
For the other cases, the directory where the CNC is stored will be configured, the first time the
nesting is saved. For each sheet only one CNC will be generated unless the user change the
name (i.e. last case)
Parts template name (e.g. CAJPIE.CAJ )
Name of the file that has the parameters to print the list of parts.
Sheets box name (e.g. CAJCUT.CAJ )
Name of the file that has the parameters to print the list of the boxes.
Part time
The cut time which is going to be calculated in the Drawing module, this setting has no effect in
the calculation of the nesting module. There are three options:
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System: The system will calculate the time internally.
Time calculation: The calculation will be done using a generic postprocessor.
Postprocessor: The calculation will be done using the postprocessor of the current machine. This
option is used in water machines where the speed changes frequently.
Generate information for labels
If this option is checked, the system will create one label for each part and this information will be
stored in the database. If not, the system will not create any label, and in this case all the labels
reports will be empty.
Work only with unitary parts (fast entry to nesting module)
If enabled, the system is going to suppose always that every part file contains only one part. With
this, the entry to the nesting module is faster because the files are not checked. With this option
enabled, it is important to work always in this way: one part file corresponds always to one part. If
the user works sometimes with more than one part for each file, it is recommended to uncheck
this option.
Transform the geometry when transforming the machining
After machining a part, if the user wants to transform and/or modify the position, until this new
version the only option was move the machining but not the geometry, with version 23.50 the
geometry can be modified while moving or modifying the machining.
It is also possible to configure this parameter to be asked when using the "Transform machining"
option.
Check if there are remnants or parts that fall when verifying machining
If this parameter is ON, each time the part machining is verified, the system will check if following
the defined toolpath can produce any tip or any uncontrolled small remnant.
This parameter has two more option:

1. In part
2. In sheet
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Replace punch by cut and Mark
With this option enabled, the system will replace all the punching machining of the part by cutting
machining. If enabled, the system allows to select, instead of cutting, marking machining and
what type of marking for replacing the punching machining.
Do in case of part change
Once the nesting has been done, if the user changes one part, the system will do:
Nothing: The nesting will no include the changes made on part.
Keep the nesting: The part will be modified keeping the same position on the sheet. Enabling
Show on sheet the machining modifications made on parts option will keep the existing machining
on the part. If disabled, the system will delete all the machining on the part in the sheet. See the
Example of how this parameter works. (See page 154)
Remake the nesting: The system will delete all the parts of the nesting where the modified part
was, and will execute an automatic nesting. This option is useful in cases where part dimensions
are subject to change, to avoid collisions.
There are three parameters to configure how the new nesting will be done:
Machine every sheet automatically: Enabled, after nesting the system will execute the automatic
machining process.
Insert more parts if it is possible: Because of the changes made on the part, there may be more
space on sheet that the system can use for placing more parts. Enabling this parameter will make
the system to test this.
Warn in case that the parts don't fit on the nesting: If, because of modifications, all the previous
nested parts doesn't fit on the sheet, the program will show a warning message if this parameter
is enabled.
Prompt for this data: With this option enabled, the system will show a window allowing to
configure the previous parameters in the case of entering in the nesting module after changing a
nested part.
Punch/ Detect punch position automatically
If this parameter is active, when performing any manual option, which needs to know the relative
position of the punch referred to the geometry, the position will be calculated by the system
avoiding problems to the user.
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If the system is not capable to calculate this relative position (open contours), the system will ask
to the user to enter this position (as if the parameter were OFF)
The options affected by this new parameter are:
CONTOUR: Manual contours.
SIMPLE CYCLE: Centered on segment and on end of segment.
NIBBLINGS: Based on a geometry element.
MACROINSTRUCTIONS: Chamfered corner’s pocket, Circular nibbling with micro-joints, Linear

nibbling with micro-joints and Nibbling in terms of step.
Warn if there is interior geometry not machined when cutting
Using this option the user is warned when there is not machined geometry inside a contour. This
option will only be applied when using the automatic contours (“CAM / Nesting module /
Machining / Contours / Automatic contours” or when adding a lead in if the parameter “Work
centers / Action list /Work center configuration / Cutting Machine / Lead in/Lead out values / Cut
the contour” is on).
After the warning the system can be configured to cut or not cut the contour in automatic.
1.2 Startup
This option enables the configuration of parameters of the Initialization section of a machine. For
this:
Prompt for this data when initializing
The machine initialization process must be done always before making any machine instruction.
With this option enabled, the system will show the Startup dialog always when the initialization
instruction is executed.
Initializing the machine: In the nesting module it can be done manually using the option
Machining->Initialize .
Execute every rapid with head up
Before any rapid movement there will be one instruction for the machine to rise the cutting head if
this parameter is enabled. This is used for safety, to prevent head damages.
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Apply head up at the beginning of machining
This option will appear only if Execute every rapid with head up is disabled. With this, the user
configures the system for including one head up instruction always at the beginning of the
machining process.
The machine has Laser-eye
The Laser eye is one device of some laser machines which is used to detect and avoid possible
collisions with the head. If enabled, the system will use it.
Clicking on ( ) button will show the dialog where the method for using the laser eye can be
chosen:
CNC name = PartNo
The CNC file will take the same name assigned to the PartNo. which is the internal name of the
CNC files. The PartNo. can be assigned in different ways through the following parameters:
Default: The Part No. will be assigned by default using the value introduced in the box PartNo
(e.g.00000011).
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Automatic: The Part No. will take an automatic value that will increase for subsequent CNCs. Six
additional parameters will be displayed:
Reset CNC counter: This option will reset the CNC's counter
Minimum: PartNo: Minimum number of character for the PartNo.
Maximum: PartNo: Maximum number of character for the PartNo.
Step of the PartNo: The number of steps used for the PartNo.
Previous text (e.g. P): The first characters of the PartNo.
Pre-initialization:
The user can create the remnant line during the machining initialization. These are the following
parameters:
Explode modules: With this option the user can do machining pre-initialization. And allows to
explode all the modules before (and only before) the machining initialization.
Delete the machining totally outside of the sheet: This option will delete the machining done
outside of the sheet. It will be configurable if the parameter "Prompt for the data when initializing"
from 'Startup menu" is active, or when the user initializes the sheet.
Create the cutting line of the remnant automatically: By this option the remnant line will be
created automatically and with the shape configured by the user.
The following two parameters allow deleting the remnant and remnant line.
Delete existing remnants: By using this option the user can delete the existing remnants which
are created by the cutting line of the remnant automatically. If any remnant exists and there is no
configuration to delete them, will not be possible to delete the remnant line nor generate a new
one.
Delete existing remnants line: The user can use this option for the deletion of existing remnants
line. If any remnant line exists and there is no configuration to delete it, will not be possible to
create a new one.
Note: These data could be configured during initialization if in the configuration of "Startup" the
parameter "Prompt for this data when initializing" is active.
Generate geometric micro-joints in parts: When adding the microjoints during the pre-initialization,
there are necessary two parameters to define the "Minimum length of the exterior punches
(horizontal exterior and vertical exterior )", because the system needs to know at this moment
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which punches are going to be used for the exterior machining to calculate the minimum distance
between microjoints. If the user configures these parameters to ‘-1.0’, the system will search the
Minimum length of the exterior punches.
Speed Rates
The machine speeds can be configured in Speed Rates dialog box.
Feed rates
Cut speed 4000,000 mm./m.
Chamfered speed 4000,000 mm./m.
Powder mark speed 4000,000 mm./m.
Drill mark speed 4000,000 mm./m.
Pen mark speed 4000,000 mm./m.
Cut mark speed 4000,000 mm./m.
Rapid speed 4000,000 mm./m.
Note: The parameter Wheel tool speed will be activated if the configuration is for punching.
1.3 Sheet clamps
With this option you can configure the Clamps of the machine:
Number of clamps (e.g. 4)
The System will take into account the number of clamps of the machine. The position of each one
can be set up depending on the Positioning parameter.
Positioning
Any: The clamps can be located in any position. This option is used for machines whose clamps
must be placed manually with screws.
Fixed: When the clamps are placed into the linear turret, they take positions with fixed distance
increments between them. In this case, the position of the clamps can be configured easily with
the following parameters:
First position variable: Although the turret has fixed positions, the first clamp site can be in
different position each time, then the rest of clamps will be placed following it.
First position (e.g. -25,000): The distance between the first clamp position and the reference
point, from this first position the rest of the clamps will be placed depending on the next two
parameters:
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Number of positions (e.g. 11): Total number of positions of the linear turret.
Position distance (e.g. 130,000): Distance between each turret position. The system will calculate
every clamp position adding to the first position the value given here.
For example:
Position distance
Positions
Clamp 1 4-365
Clamp 2 8-885
Indicate the distance between different clamp positions.
If the clamp type is fixed, once these three fields have been specified, the Positions boxes will
become combo boxes displaying only the different possibilities for clamp placement.
If the clamp type is any, these fields (First position, Number of positions and Distance between
positions) will not appear and the Positions combo boxes will be able to contain any value (since
all values will be valid).
Reference point
The position of the clamps will be taken depending on this reference point:
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Place the clamps with the mouse
This is used frequently when the user is working with the whole sheet without using lower sheet
margin. In this case, is normal to have parts or holes to avoid, and this is difficult if the clamp
placement was done inserting distances with the keyboard. But if the placement is done with the
mouse, the user can slide the clamps and place them in a correct position which allows to
machining the most part of the sheet. With this, the user can avoid reposition orders.
The system will prompt to place the clamps with the mouse when the Machining -> Initialize
order is selected.
Move interactively the from point
The work zone can be moved to desired place when the Machining -> Initialize - > Move
interactively the from point order is executed. This is like doing one reposition at the beginning.
You can select one of these options: Right, Left, Center or Move it with mouse.
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Maximum length of the sheet to enable the pin 2 automatically
With this option the user can specify maximum length of the sheet.
Pin 2
When working with small sheets, sometimes happens that if using the Pin 1 for placing it, the
clamps can't take it properly. For this, more centered that the Pin 1 is the Pin 2. The effect is like
moving the work zone, like making one reposition at the beginning of the machining. The
difference between this parameter and the previous one is that here we can assign a fixed value
for all the times, and in the previous one, the value is prompted on every initializing.
The distance is fixed and must be configured clicking on the three points button ( ), and then
select one of these options:
- Center
- Left
- Right
Initial offset of the work zone (e.g. 500)
The system is going to perform a reposition with this value in X for moving the work zone at the
beginning of the machining.
For example: Here the work zone is placed at the left of the sheet and the value of the initial
offset of the work zone parameter is 0:
The machine can't make all the machining without performing a reposition, if we give 500 as an
initial offset of the work zone, the machine will perform a 500 mm reposition in X at the beginning
on the machining:
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Offset to avoid the clamps (e.g. 30,000)
This is the safety distance added to the clamp's work zone. The system is going to test it always
for preventing collisions.
Allow collision test for clamps
Most of the machines makes a clamp verification depending on the loaded CNC code. If the
clamps are placed in a wrong location, the machine would take clamp positions into account
which are not the real part of the sheet, resulting in a serious error.
If enabled, the system will order to the machine to perform the test depending on the following
parameter:
Apply clamp check:
With the previous parameter, the system allows to make the test, but is not active until this
parameter is enabled. One example of using these two parameters is to active the previous one,
and then Prompt for this data when initializing. With this, when the Initialize option is used, the
system will show this clamp configuration window and the user can choose if perform the test or
not.
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The clamps takes up turret positions
Some machines uses one linear turret where the clamps and the tools must be placed. If this
happens, the clamps uses tools positions, and with this option enabled the system will take it into
account.
Offset
Is the minimum distance where the clamp can be placed from the side of the sheet. For example,
if the value is 70mm, and the clamp is going to be placed at 40 mm, the system will place it at 70
mm.
IMPORTANT: The clamp must have sensor for testing this.
Clamp zone
When the machine is initialized, this is the clamp zone which the system will use before starting
the machining. In Punching machines, the clamp zone is configured by station and the most
important clamp zone settings must be done in the turret configuration.
Clamps size
The clamps size can be set up here depending on the three parameters: L, R, and U.
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These settings configure the real clamps size, which will be used for the automatic repositions.
The system will test if the clamp is going to be placed in a hole because if this happens the clamp
will not take the sheet properly. For these calculations, the system will take into account the L, R
and U parameters.
With this option enabled, the system will show the Clamps dialog always when the initialization
Initializing the machine: In the nesting module can be done manually using the option Machining
-> Initialize .
More button
With this button, the user can configure each clamp's properties like minimum and maximum
allowed positions and distances, if the clamp has sensor or the type of the clamp.
Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum

Sensor Type
position position distance distance
Clamp -25,000 105,000 130,000 200,000 Fixed
Simulation button
In the nesting/machining module, the system will simulate the clamps size depending on the
values given in the following dialogue:
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1.4 Fixture
With this option you can configure the Clamps or the Fixed clamps of the machine:
Possibility to use Fixed clamps in cutting machines. The fixed clamps will work similar to the
clamps. The machine will only have clamps or fixed clamps, they will never be together in the
same machine. To configure the fixed clamps the clamps number must be 0 otherwise the “
Fixtures” option will not be displayed. If after configure the fixed clamps, the user modifies the
number of clamps bigger than 0, the fixed clamps parameters will be avoided.
During the machining initialization, will be possible to configure the fixed clamps with the
keyboard and with the mouse. The changes made during the initialization with the keyboard
(using the configuration panel) will be saved as standard in machine configuration parameters.
Position:
Number of fixtures: The clamps can be located in any position. This option is used for machines
whose clamps can be placed automatically.
Fixture zone
When the machine is initialized, this is the clamp zone which the system will use before starting
the machining. In Punching machines, the clamp zone is configured by station and the most
important clamp zone settings must be done in the turret configuration.
Place the fixtures with the mouse
This is used frequently when the user is working with the whole sheet without using lower sheet
margin. In this case, is normal to have parts or holes to avoid, and this is difficult if the clamp
placement was done inserting distances with the keyboard. But if the placement is done with the
mouse, the user can slide the clamps and place them in a correct position which allows to
machining the most part of the sheet. With this, the user can avoid reposition orders.
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With this option enabled, the system will show the Clamps dialog always when the initialization
Initializing the machine: In the nesting module can be done manually using the option Machining -
> Initialize.
1.5 Work chutes
There are three options for removing cut parts: traps, micro-joints and Stop codes.
Work chutes are only used for cutting machines with clamps to fix the sheet, because in these
machines the sheet moves and the parts must be evacuated. If the cutting head is the only one
which moves on the sheet, there is no need to evacuate the parts and all the traps configuration
is unnecessary.
Number of traps (e.g. 3)
The user will configure here the number of traps of the machine. Depending on this number, the
system will show the boxes needed to specify the respective coordinates:
Minimum X (e.g. -150,000) & Minimum Y (e.g. 47,000): All the distances are referred to the
cutting/punching center. These are the coordinates for the lower left corner of the trap.
Maximum X (e.g. 150,000) & Maximum Y (e.g. 400,000): Coordinates for the upper-right corner
of the trap.
Increment X & Increment Y: The machine makes one movement after receiving one trap open
instruction trying to center the part into the tramp. This increment of movement is configured
here.
Process traps after its implicit movement
If this parameter is active, the tramp will try to evacuate the part after making a movement defined
in “Increment” parameter. If the parameter is not active, the system will open the tramp first and
them it will make the movement. (Increment).
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The machine has an extraction hammer
If the machine has an extraction hammer and extraction hammer2, these must be configured
here. This hammer is used to hit the tramp to make sure it will be open properly. The hammer is
defined by the coordinates X and Y and the radius.
Extraction hammer 2
With this option the user can evacuate by trap. By specifying the X, Y and radius parameters.
1.6 Lift / Grip
This option is specific for machines with Lift method built-in.
The machine has up/downloading by lift
The machine uses one lift system for up/downloading sheets and/or parts.
There are movable strips in the suction cups carriage
The system allows to define maximum of 5 movable strips with suctions cups to load/unload and
evacuate parts by lift. Each strip is movable in X and Y directions and it will be placed in a desired
position in the suction cup carriage. The system also allows to define the distance between the
steps to test correct evacuation positions in automatic.
When a evacuation is assigned in automatic, semiautomatic or manual, the user will be able to
drag and drop with the mouse.
The geometry of the suction cup carriage can be defined by the user using a MEC file.
The user can configure other parameters by selecting the three point button ( ), they are:
Movable in [X/Y]: Using this option the user can define a distance as "movable step",
Preferred step in [X/Y]: Using this option the user can define a strip distance as "preferred step",
this position will be preferred when evacuating in automatic if there are more than one with same
results during the testing.
Use distances between steps for manual mode: By enabling this option, when the user selects
interactively the carriage strips, he will only be able to select position which keeps the defined
distance.
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Number of suction cups (e.g. 36)
This parameter configures the number of suction cups of the lift system. This number should be
multiple of 12. These suction cups are divided into 6 groups (maximum). Refer to machine
manual to see how many suction cups are available in the machine.
Cup Groups
Each group can manage 12 cups. For this, in this window the groups button will be enabled
depending on the number of suction cups specified.
Cup parameters must be configured here:
X Y Radius Type
Suction Cup 1 495,000 -320,000 35,000 Fastener
X and Y: Position of the cup respect to the lift zero point.
Radius: This value is only for simulation.
Type: This suction cup type has to be checked on the reference manual of the machine
Auxiliar:
This is not for all lift systems. The program defines one main suction cups and some auxiliar
because the number can be so big to manage all of them independently. These suction cups will
be activate each time the main suction cup is active.
X Y Radius Main suction

cup
495,00 -380,000 15,000 1
470,000 -380,000 15,000 1
445,000 -380,000 15,000 1
X, Y and Radius: The same as for main cups
Main suction cup: The main cup the auxiliar one is assigned to.
Note: There are 200 more suction cups. Now the system allows to configure 372 suction cups: 72
main cups and 300 auxiliaries.
X Displacement of the suction cups while uploading (e.g. -70,000)
This is the offset between the punching/cutting head and the cups carriage.
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Y Displacement of the suction cups while uploading
This is the Y offset for the suction cups while loading the sheet.
Minimum X position of the suction cups (e.g. -1000,000)
This is the minimum position in X where the carriage can physically arrive.
Minimum Y position of the suction cups
This is the minimum position in Y where the carriage can physically arrive.
Minimum X & Maximum X position while downloading (e.g. 10000,000)
Is the minimum X & maximum X position where the carriage can download a part. This value
should be checked in the manual, otherwise the NC control will send a warning message.
Minimum Y & Maximum Y position while downloading (e.g. 30,000)
This is the Minimum Y & maximum Y position where the carriage can download a part. As with X
position, this value should be checked in the manual. In the system this value is represented as a
horizontal line under the carriage simulation. This kind of machines have an arm to move suction
cups carriage and it should be simulated because it can cause collisions with the head.
The machine has downloading by grip
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If this parameter is enabled, the machine will download the parts using grip system instead of lift.
The X and the Y are the positions where the sheet arrives so that the grip can pick and download
it.
More
Lift details: Clicking on this button will show specific parameters for configuring the lift system
properly:
Uploading section
All the parameters of this section are related to the sheet upload with the lift:
Speed (e.g. 100%) and Acceleration (e.g. 100%): The speed and the acceleration that the lift
system will apply for uploading the sheet.
Cycle of unstuck of sheets: Sometimes the lift gets two sheets instead of just one because of
suction. With this parameter enabled, the lift gets the sheet and makes up and down movements
trying to unstuck the sheets.
Double sheet detection: Once the lift gets the sheet, there is one sensor which measures the
width, if is not correct, the machine executes again the Cycle of unstuck of sheets. Is one security
level more than enabling just the previous parameter.
Pressing position (e.g. 5.425,000): X position where the lift is going to pick the sheet.
Waiting position (e.g. 565,000): At the beginning, the lift goes to sheet pallet and gets one
carrying it to the machine. The second time, the sheet can't be located in the same place
because the previous one has not been machined yet, and for this, not evacuated from the
machine. In this case, the lift places the sheet in a wait position whose objective is making the
upload faster just when the previous sheet has been evacuated.
Transfer position (e.g. -111,000): X position where the sheet is going to be left
Downloading parts
The next parameters configures how the lift is going to get the parts.
Speed (e.g. 100%) and acceleration (e.g. 100%): The speed and the acceleration that the lift
system will apply for downloading the sheet.
Head up/down: If the head should be raised while removing the part for security questions.
Place on the table of the machine: This option allows to leave the part on the table instead of the
palleti
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Download with ejection: The lift will leave the part from a certain height specified in the following
parameter
Ejection height (e.g. 700,000): When the lift system goes to download parts on the pallet, if there
are few parts placed, the lift sometimes can't physically arrive to the surface of the pallet. In this
case, this parameter is the height from which the lift will leave the part to left to the pallet.
Pressing position (X) (e.g. -56,000): This is the X distance of the lift zero point where the lift is
going to pick the part. The parameter X displacement of the suction cups should be checked.
Downloading position (X) (e.g. 2.618,000): This is the X distance of the lift zero point where the lift
is going to leave the part.
Pressing position (Y): The Y distance of the zero point for getting the part. This parameter is for
lift systems which has movement in Y axis.
Downloading position (Y): The Y distance of the lift zero point. This parameter is for lift systems
with Y movement.
Move the pressing point interactively
With this parameter the user can define. That is to say, this will be the zone where the suction
cups carriage can be moved avoiding collisions.
Copy nesting
Using this option the user can configure copy nesting during evacuation this option is protected.
If this parameter is disabled, the user will only be able to configure a fixed download position:
Copy nesting
Downloading position [X] 0,000
Downloading position [Y] 0,000
When enabling this parameter, the user will get
Copy nesting
Downloading position offset [X] 0,000
Downloading position offset [Y] 0,000
Scale factor [X] 1,000
Scale factor [Y] 1,000
Downloading position offset (X and Y): With this option it is possible for the user to define the
point from where the nesting copy will be performed.
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Scale factor (X and Y): If the download zone is bigger than the working zone, a scale factor can
be defined (in X and/or Y) to get more distance between parts on the pallet.
Show pressing cylinders
when modifying the pressing point when evacuating by lift. When evacuating by lift, with the
parameter “Move the pressing point interactively” on, the system will visualize the cylinders
and/or the pressing head at the evacuation point.
All these parameters are set automatically if the installation comes with Wos Pallet.
This is the lift/grip configuration, but there are two places where the user must configure where to
use it:
Work Center - Configure Machines - Upload/Download Sheets (See page 46)
Work Center - Configure Machines - Automatic Machining - Component Removal (See page 112)
1.7 Save Options
With this option you can configure parameters for the machine’s Saving data section. While
verifying the part to save, the user can request the system to show the window where he can
choose the types of contours where to put the points.
GENERAL
Delete duplicate punches
With this option the user can delete duplicate punches when saving parts and/or sheets.
Regenerate
This parameter regenerates the punches when saving the part or entering nesting and machining
modules.
SUBPROGRAMS
The different options in this section refers to the generation of subprograms for the
postprocessor. When there is one part nested many times in the sheet, the CNC code generated
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for one of these parts can be used for all the other nested equal part. Using subprograms will
result in smaller CNC codes which is very useful when the numeric control of the machine has
limited memory.
This section also controls how the postprocessor generates the CNC code, and how
subprograms are organized. Some options may not be available in a specific postprocessor
although it is still possible to select the option here.
Generate subprograms: The system will try to generate subprograms.
Linear subprograms: If possible, the system will detect and apply linear subprograms in the
CNC.
Subprogram rotation: If there is the possibility for using subprograms with rotations, the system
will apply them generating the proper CNC code.
Grid subprograms: The grid subprograms generation will be supported using this option.
Example:
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For recognizing if two parts are identical for applying subprograms, the system will look the
values of the linear and angular tolerances which delimits the possible done error.
Definition point
The definition point is the reference point taken by the subprogram. This reference will be used
for generating the rest of the equal parts from the first one.
The first point of the part that the machine is going to cut is the definition point.
Any of the four corners means that the definition point is one of the minimum
rectangle of the part, taking into account only the geometry. If Part is enabled, it will take only the
minimum rectangle corner, but if disabled it will take the machining corner.
All the subprograms are related to the 0.0 point of the sheet.
Subprograms by contours
Normally the subprograms are made by parts, but sometimes there are parts with different holes
and the objective is to execute each subprogram for each hole.
The system will generate subprograms for each different contour, and then will execute them in
the same order.
Only subprograms by reference
Enable this function in order to tell the system that all the subprograms belong to only one part.
This means that these subprograms will be automatically repeated when performing equal parts
and will therefore only be generated once.
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Delete subprograms which are executed once
Enable this function if you don't want to consider a group of instructions which are only executed
once as a subprogram.
Transform simple punches of subprograms to grid structures
This option is only for punching machines. The program will check all the simple punches and if
they follow any pattern, the CNC orders will be converted into grid structures for making the CNC
program shorter and the machine process faster.
PART SAVING
There are some options that can be executed automatically when the user saves the part. This is
a powerful feature for saving time. Part saving can happen when the user selects one of these
options in the drawing module: Edit -> Drawing ( ) or Parts -> Save ( )/Save As/Save by
parts/Save all ( ).
Every time the user saves one part, the system can verify it, order their contours, apply automatic
technology, loops or leads depending on the activation of the check boxes.
Verify parts: This option will verify the part immediately after saving the part. Is the same if we
choose Utilities -> Verify part from the menu in the drawing module.
Maximum length for small elements: This option allows the user to define the maximum length of
an element for it to be considered as small element.
This parameter can be defined in two ways:
- Cutter Radius / The maximum length is equal to the cutting radius (Only in cutting or combined
machines)
- Length / A length defined by the user.
From this parameter, we have the option of configuring the parameters requested to save the part
when this parameter is active. These parameters are discreet values, the values that define
whether to put points or not in open contours and the values that define the "Maximum length of
the elements to be considered small".
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In addition, there is a parameter that determines whether all these data need to be provided while
verifying the part before saving it. This parameter was next to the "Verify Part" parameter and it
was called "Prompt for open contour types to put points".
EXECUTION NESTING MODULE
Also, when the nesting module is executed, there are some options that can be applied
automatically. The nesting module is executed when clicking on the icon, or selecting the option
from the menu, or opening one existing sheet: Edit - > Nesting and Machining -> View -> Sheets
Mode -> Open.
Common check boxes for part saving and execution nesting module in cutting machines:
These check boxes are common for both automatic executions. The user can choose when
enabling these options for improving the work:
Contour ordering: It will order the contours depending on the parameters chosen in Main
elements - Work centers - Configure machine - General - Ordering contour options (See page 1).
Automatic technology: Automatic technology will be applied depending on the configuration made
in Main elements - Work centers - Configure machine - Material/Thickness dependent data -
Automatic Technology (See page 57).
Automatic loops: The settings of Main elements - Work centers - Configure machine - General -
Loop values will be applied, or if any configuration exists, of Main elements - Work centers -
Configure machine - General - Material/Thickness dependent data - Loop values(See page 130).
Automatic lead-in/Lead -out: Automatically, the system will apply the settings of Main elements -
Work centers - Configure machine - Automatic Lead-in/Lead-out, or if any configuration exists, of
Main elements - Work centers - Configure machine - General - Material/Thickness dependent
data - Automatic Lead-in/Lead-out values (See page 123).
Automatic round angles: The system will apply automatically the settings of Main elements - Work
centers - Configure machine - Loop values, or if any configuration exists, of Main elements - Work
centers - Configure machine - Material/Thickness dependent data - Loop values to all the angles
of the contours (See page 130).
Checkbox when executing nesting module for cutting and punching machines:
Automatic mark: When entering to the nesting module, the system will introduce the name of the
part inside their geometry and will assign marking technology. With this, the identifier for each
part can be automatically be marked into the part.
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See the automatic mark options (See page 156)
Automatic Micro-joints: Automatically, the system will apply the settings of Main elements - Work
centers - Configure machine - Automatic Micro-joints values or if any configuration exists, of Main
elements - Work centers - Configure machine - General - Material/Thickness dependent data -
Automatic Micro-joints values (See page 129).
Also the system allows the user to automatically assign a micro-joint attribute to the contours with
cut technology depending on the size of these contours (small, medium or large). In order to
define the different sizes, the user must specify the maximum dimensions of a small contour and
the minimum dimensions of a large contour.
The micro-joint values will be taken from the values specified in the automatic microjoints
depending on material and thickness or taking a fixed value. With this the user can define the part
limits for small contours and big contours where the microjoints will be placed:
-Maximum length
-Maximum width
-Minimum length
-Minimum width
If the part is longer than the minimum length and shorter than the maximum length, or if the part
is more width than the minimum width and more narrow than the maximum width the system will
add microjoints only if the previous parameter is active.
The other option are:

Delete existent machining: With this option the user can delete any existent machining. When this
parameter is enabled the user can select different option by selecting the three point button. They
are;
- Machining:
- Auxiliary geometry:
- Technology:
- No cut technology: With this parameter user can delete the No cut technology of any part when
entering to nesting module.
Change micro-joints into micro-joints with leads-in:
Redefine leads in/outs depending on machine configuration and Redefine Micro-joints depending
on machine configuration: This option allows redefining the lead ins and/or microjoints defined in
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parts when entering to nesting module. The new lead in/microjoints values or types will be read
from the machine configuration
Only for punching machines:
When executing the nesting module, the user can choose the Default technology and Technology
in already punched outside elements which will be applied:
Default technology: The available options to assign this technology are:
No: None of the cutting technologies will be applied
Non-common punching: The cut technology will not be assigned as common-punch.
Common punching: The contours will be optimized for using common-punching technology
Shearing: The system will apply shearing technology to the parts as default.
Automatic: Depending on the machine configuration, the system will apply the proper technology.
Technology in already punched outside elements: The available options to assign this technology
are:
The Corresponding one: The system will assign automatically to all the punched elements the
same technology assigned to part. If the part does not have assigned technology, the system will
assign to these elements any depending on the punched segments.
None:
No cut:
To assign technology to a punched element, it is necessary to have a "Minimum length

percentage of the already punched segments to apply the technology".
Generate labels automatically
When machining parts automatically or by parts, the system generates automatically one Begin
label and one End label for each part. Then verifies what is between the labels and if there are
equal codes, one subprogram will be generated.
WARNING: If the user makes machining of the part by contours, labels will not be generated and,
because of this, no subprograms will be used for the CNC. Enabling this parameter will force the
system to verify the machining code inserting labels between the beginning and the end of equal
code. Then will generate subprograms for this codes although they are only for contours, no for
whole parts.
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Delete duplicate punches
This option allows to delete duplicate punches when saving parts and/or sheets.
Regenerate (only for punching/combination machines)
When saving the machining, the system will test if the CNC code can be optimized converting
different punching orders into smaller and faster ones:
Simple punching operations => Linear patterns
Linear patterns => Linear nibble cycle
Linear Patterns => Grid patterns
Patterns of only two points => Simple punching operations
1.8 Work Zone
This option enables configuration of the parameters of the Work zone section of a machine:
The machine has a work zone
This dialogue deals with the maximum size of the work zone without repositioning. In other words,
the maximum area the machine is able to process without doing any sheet reposition.
Length (e.g. 2.000,000) and Width (e.g. 1.000,000)
Indicates the length and the width of the work zone.
Margins
These are additional amounts of travel that is allowed to enable the cut center to travel a small
distance outside the nominal work zone. This is often known as over-travel limit. Enter Upper
(e.g. 90,010), Lower (e.g. 90,010), Left (e.g. 90,010) and Right (e.g. 90,010) margins here.
Position
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This parameter is related to both the work zone and the sheet position. It is possible to place the
work zone respect to the left, right, center or the machine origin (0,0).
This configuration depends on how the coordinate system of the machine is working and the
placement of the clamps.
Note: The from point should be configured accordingly, it will not automatically change if the Work
limits are modified. In the Center position, the X is the maximum distance allowed from the work
zone corner to the sheet. Sometimes, if the sheet is very small, may happen when centering the
work zone that the distance between the work zone corner to the sheet is very big and the
machine can not get the sheet with clamps. For this reason, the X Maximum parameter allows to
fix the maximum distance allowed.
When a selected sheet is larger than the work limits, it will extend out of the working range to the
opposite side of the reference, and sheet repositioning will be required in order to process whole
sheet.
With this option the user used to select the centered adjust and if the sheet was bigger than the
working zone, the system automatically adjust the sheet to the left border. Now it is possible to
define by this option:
Whether the sheet must be automatically adjust to the left or right positions.
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1.9 Reposition
If the machine is working with a sheet which is longer that the work zone, the machine must
perform a reposition movement in order to process the machining of the parts placed outside the
work zone.
There are three types of repositions: with Pistons, using Head, or both. The parameters to
configure depends on the chosen type.
Type of reposition: Pistons
This type of reposition must be chosen if the machine have hold down cylinders for supporting the
sheet during repositioning of the clamps. There are some parameters to fill about pistons:
Number of pistons (e.g. 2): This value is the number of pistons of the machine.
Piston coordinates: The X and Y position of each piston, and the radius values must be
configured here. These value are measured from the cut/punch head center.
Coordinates
X Y Radius
Piston 1 -320,000 -15,000 20,000
Piston 2 320,000 -15,000 20,000
The X coordinate of the hold down position is calculated based on the amount of repositioning
required, the Y position can be controlled in a number of different ways:
When doing a reposition, the pistons will be placed the Y distance from the upper
side of the sheet. For example: if the work zone has a limit of 1250 mm, the pistons will be placed
in Y=1250-100=1150.
If the center position has been selected, the system will place the pistons at the
same Y coordinate as the cutting head position before the reposition movement.
33
The pistons will be placed in the Y position starting from the bottom side of the sheet
in this case. Following with the example, now the Y coordinate for the pistons will be
0+150=150mm.
Y position of reposition is fixed / Y (e.g. 300,000): All the previous values are only for Automatic
Machining. But if the reposition is added manually, the Y position will be taken from here.
Look for a correct Y position of reposition: The system will check for an appropriate position of the
Y axis. It is important to hold the sheet strongly while the clamps are relocated, for this, the
pistons must be in contact with the sheet and not placed over a previously cut hole.
If the user configures upper and lower margin and an increment, the system will scan between
these limits for a valid position, altering the Y value each time by the stated until a suitable
position is found.
The following three options are only for punching machines:
Punch reposition taking into consideration the shear work zone: When executing punching
machining in the case of doing repositions, when doing the last one the system will consider the
shear work zone optimizing the reposition.
Lower the pistons with the shear & Y minimum position: When executing the reposition, the shear
can go down and trap the sheet. With this option enabled, the system will lower the pistons for
catching the sheet too.
Lower the shear with the pistons: When executing a reposition, the machine can lower the shear
for helping in the sheet catch.
Type of reposition: Head
The head will go down to catch the sheet for performing the reposition. The system needs to
know the Head radius (e.g. 100,000).
The Y position is configured like in the reposition by pistons.
Type of reposition: Both of them
In some machines, the reposition can be done with pistons and with head at the same time. The
system provides management of this way. The parameters to configure are all of pistons, the
head radius, and how the Y position of pistons and of head will be controlled.
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Retract value in Y (e.g. 2,000)
This is the back off distance in Y when opening the clamps. It is applied before the X carriage is
moved providing a clearance between the clamps and the edge of the sheet.
Advance value in Y (e.g. 1,000)
This is the value that the Y axis moves back after repositioning. Normally is the same as retract
value, but sometimes is smaller to prevent the sheet being "nudged" by the work clamps if the
edge of the sheet is uneven.
Speed in X (e.g. 20000,000 mm./m.)
The feed rate in X of the machine when moving the sheet during repositioning.
Speed in Y (e.g. 20000,000 mm./m.)
The feed rate applied to the back off move.
Fixed value of repositions and value
With this option enabled, the user can specify the distance to move in a reposition. If this value is
bigger than the work zone, the system will not do any reposition.
X position of reposition
Using this parameter the user is allowed to define the sheet fixture point during the automatic
repositions. It is only valid when the sheet is fixed by the head or the pistons.
This parameter has two options, they are
- Fit to the edge of active work zone.
- Sheet center
Test sheet clamps in holes when repositioning
When doing repositions, sometimes the clamps are placed inside holes resulting in a bad sheet
catch. With this parameter enabled, the system will test each clamp position before placing it on
the sheet. The distance increment for testing must be set up in Increment of search of correct
position option (e.g. 5,000).
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The system will not allow reposition movements if there is not a Minimum number of clamps
catching the sheet properly.
Maximum number of reposition (e.g. 100) & Maximum increment of reposition (e.g.
99999.999)
The user can specify the number repositions to do while machining and the maximum length for
any reposition
The machining will be stopped after reaching the number in maximum number of reposition
instead of making more repositions.
Once the reposition type and all the parameters are configured, the user can choose two
reposition strategies clicking on Strategy button.
Sheet hold mode when displacing movable clamps
Using this option the user can fix the sheet with the turret head or with the pistons while moving
clamps.
This option consists of three parameters, they are: No hold, Pistons, Head.
REPOSITION STRATEGY
Mode
This option consists of three different reposition types:
Normal: Standard one for the machine.
Home: This method will perform the repositions as the standard way but at the end of the
machining the machine will make another reposition to go back to the home position.
First: This method is the opposite of the standard method. it will make the reposition at the
beginning, cut the small side first.
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Strategy
Normal: The system will perform machining of all the work zone, and the rest after the reposition.
Maximum rigidity: The system will perform one small percent of the work zone, and the rest after
the reposition.
This strategy can be used in two ways:
By parts & Offset: If there is any part in both the first and the second zone, the system will make
the machining of the part at most depending on the work zone (violet color):
37
The reposition is going to start after the situation of the figure.
In the example, there are three small parts and one larger part that is between the two zones.
The system will finish the three small parts because the work zone allows it, and is going to
machine all the geometries of the larger part that the work zone allow.
By length & Offset: The system is going to machine all the geometries that are in the first zone,
then make the reposition, and finish. It is not going to take care of the parts:
In the figure, the reposition has just finish. The system will machine only the length of the zone 1,
make the reposition, and finish the sheet.
The offset parameter in both modes is the distance from the limit of the zone 1 that the system
will take as zone 1 for making the reposition. In other words: is the distance of the zone 2 which is
going to be machined before making the reposition:
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1.10 Sheet turn over
This option enables configuration of the parameters in the Sheet turn over section of the machine:
Center of rotation
With this parameter the user can configure the distance in X and Y direction
Rotation sense
This parameter has three option
1. Clock wise
2. Counter clock wise.
3. Both of them.
Turn over type
This parameter has four option:
1. Request
2. Manual rotation of 1800
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3. Manual symmetry
4. Automatic rotation of 1800
Rotation sense
This parameter has three more option:
1. Request
2. Clock wise
3. Counter clock wise
Pressing Position
This parameter has three more option:
1. Request
2. Fixed: With this option the user can specify the X and Y direction
3. Sheet center
Sheet rotation point
This parameter has four more option:
1. Request:
2. Fixed: With this the user can specify the Fixed point in X and Y direction
3. Equal to pressing point: With this the user can specify the Displacements in X and Y
direction.
4. Avoiding collisions with clamps: With this the user can specify the Security distance
Previous position point to turn over
The options affected by this new parameter are:
1. Request:
2. Fixed point on the sheet: With this the user can specify the Fixed point in X and Y direction
3. From point: With this the user can specify the Displacements in X and Y direction.
4. Lower left corner of the sheet: With this the user can specify the Displacements in X and Y
direction.
5. Lower right corner of the sheet: With this the user can specify the Displacements in X and Y
direction.
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6. Upper left corner of the sheet: With this the user can specify the Displacements in X and Y
direction.
7. Upper right corner of the sheet: With this the user can specify the Displacements in X and Y
direction.
8. Sheet center: With this the user can specify the Displacements in X and Y direction.
Cancel reposition when executing the turn over
Using this option the user can cancel reposition. If there were any reposition before the turnover
of a sheet, after making the turnover, all the reposition will be cancelled keeping the working zone
as it was at the beginning.
1.11 Grid
This is used for cutting machines that have a work support grid, it is possible to specify the
visualization parameters for the support grid. It is not typically required for punching applications.
The machine has grid
First of all the user must check this option for enabling the rest of grid configuration parameters:
Visualize
The system will simulate the grid if this parameter is enabled. With this, the user can check
interactively if the parts are going to fall down the machine's table being able to modify their
positions.
The parameters to configure are Points and Lines.
X and Y: the first point coordinates related to the from-point of the machine.
d1 and d2: the horizontal and vertical distances between points respectively.
n1 and n2: the number of horizontal and vertical points respectively.
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The other parameter to configure is File, with this user can define this parameter MEC file with
grid geometry: With this option the user will be able to define his own grid to be simulated while
machining. The grid will be a MEC file with the desired geometry.
Parameters for destroying holes
This option is for cutting or combination machines with grid. The system will execute a process for
destroying the holes on the sheet. The sheet is placed over the table's grid. Depending on the
distance of the grid's lines, sometimes when cutting a hole it may keep on the table instead of
falling down the table. If it keeps in horizontal position there is no problem, but if it inclines
between two grid lines it should stand out and the head can collide with it resulting in a head
damage.
For preventing this, the system provides this way of cutting the holes into small parts to be sure
they always fall down the grid.
The following four parameters delimit the size of the holes which will be destroyed:
Maximum length of the hole (e.g. 450,000)
Minimum length of the hole (e.g. 150,000)
Maximum width of the hole (e.g. 450,000)
Minimum width of the hole (e.g. 150,000)
The following example will explain how to use this option. In the nesting, there are some parts
with big holes, and also, in violet color the grid lines are visualized:
The hole of the upper-left part is bigger than the values given (X:150-450, Y:150-450), and the
smaller holes are not between the defined lengths and widths.
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So, if we execute the order for destroying the holes from the CAM module before doing the
machining in Machining -> Contours -> Destroy sheet holes.
It will also ask for confirmation of previously entered data, and also the length and the width of the
piece of holes.
The system will calculate and introduce the required machining orders which will destroy the
problematic holes:
The big hole of the part is too big and will stay over the grid without problems, and the other holes
are too small and will fall into the table without problems.
1.12 From Point
This option enables configuration of the parameters of the From point section of a machine:
The from point defines the default values of the initial coordinates relative to the position of the
cutting/punching head.
This start point for cutting/punching can be any of the four corners.
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Or one middle position specified by X and Y coordinates:
Zero point of the CNC equal to the From Point
Select this option to enable the zero point of the CNC as the From Point.
With this option the user can assign to the CNC zero point the loading point after machining
initializing. If the parameter is on, after the machining initialization, the zero point of the CNC and
the loading point will be the same.
As for other parameters, the system can show this configuration window when the Initialization
process is executed.
Initializing the machine: In the nesting module can be done manually using the option Machining-
>Initialize or by clicking on the Initialize Button of the Machining Toolbar.
1.13 Sheet Data
This option enables you to configure the Sheets parameters for a machine.
Sheets margins
This dialogue allows you to specify margins around the sheet. This ensures the machine is not
going to cut or punch out of the sheet and leave enough material to support the parts. In the
example shown, the lower margin is larger to avoid the clamp zone.
The X and Y values are the coordinates that the system will take for the selected red point.
Normally this point is the 0,0 because it is the point where the torch will be placed before cutting.
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Remnant margin (e.g. 10,000)
When a remnant is generated from the current sheet, if there is any value here, the remnant will
be created with these margins.
Display sheet reference in status bar
If this parameter is activated, the reference of the sheet will be displayed in the status area while
working on the Nesting.
Sheet state (e.g. 1)
Indicate the fold status of the sheet through one of the numbers in the list. (0 = completely flat, 9
= very irregular). This parameter may be useful if the postprocessor uses it to calculate the
distance that the head must come down in order to cut/punch for trying to avoid collisions with
sheet.
Anti-scratch
This parameter's objective is that the rapid movements are done at more higher distance for not
scratching the sheet. When the movement is from one hole to another with the head down,
instead of the normal height, with this enabled it will go a little higher.
Maximum Length (e.g. 99999,999) and Width (e.g. 99999,999)
When getting one sheet from the database, the system will look in addition to material and
thickness, if the sheet is not bigger than these measures.
Visualize the sheet rotation
With this option the user can visualize the sheet rotated 900, 1800, and 2700. It also allows to
make a sheet symmetry around the X or Y axis. Internally this option rotates the axis, f.i. if the
user rotates 1800 the sign of X and Y will change (X will be positive to the left and Y will be
positive down)
This parameter is not configurable through the system yet. You can configure it modifying the
parameter A266 of the selected machine CT file.
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1.14 Upload / Download sheets
With this option you can configure parameters for a machine’s Sheet loading/unloading section.
Process the number of sheets automatically
The system needs information about the way the sheets are loaded onto the machine. If the
loading is automatic, the system will calculate the number of sheets and will order them to loader
when needed.
Number of sheets (e.g. 10)
The user can choose the number of sheets which will be loaded into the machine instead of using
the previous parameter which loads the sheets on demand. The sheet loader will load the sheet,
which is machined and then unloaded so many times as the value of this parameter.
Sheet is uploaded automatically
If the machine has an automatic loader, enabling this parameter will allow the system to use it,
but every time the user can choose if the system is going to use it or not depending on:
Sheet uploading = Manual: The system will not use the loader. The process must be done
manually.
Sheet uploading = Automatic: If the Automatic option is selected, the following parameters
appear:
Store Station ( e.g. 3): If the loader system allows it, it is possible to specify the station from
which the sheet will be get.
Sheet peeling: Sometimes, when loading a sheet, the loader gets two sheets instead of just
one. With this active, the loader will execute a cycle of movements to unstuck the sheets.
Double sheet detection: In some loader system there is one sensor for measuring the sheet
width. This can detect if there are more than one sheet. If this happen, the sheet peeling cycle
will be executed again.
Sheet uploading = Lift: If the machine is equipped with a lift system, the sheet upload can be
done with it.
Suction cups are selected automatically: The system will calculate which cups are the best for
uploading the sheet. For selecting them manually, the Suction cups button will show the
window for making it active.
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Sheet is downloaded automatically
As with uploading, the sheet can be downloaded automatically enabling this option:
Sheet downloading = Manual: In Manual mode, the system can leave the sheet in one position
making easier the downloading task. This position is defined by X and Y coordinates.
Sheet downloading = Automatic: In Automatic mode, the system will download the sheet. Select
the option Enable support if applicable.
There is sheet turn over: With this enabled, the system will know if the loader system can turn
over the sheet.
Turn over the sheet: The loader will perform a turn over when downloading the sheet
automatically if this parameter is enabled.
Sheet downloading = Lift: The sheet will be downloaded using the lift system of the machine. The
X and Y are the coordinates which specify the place for leaving the sheet.
Suction cups are selected automatically: The system will select automatically which cups are
the best for the downloading process.
But if the user wants to select manually , the Suction cups button will show the window for
making it active.
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Sheet downloading = Grip: The sheet will be downloaded by the grip system of the machine
With this option enabled, the system will show the upload/download sheet dialog always when the
initialization instruction is executed.
Initializing the machine: In the nesting module can be done manually using the option Machining-
>Initialize or clicking on the Initialize Button of the Machining toolbar
1.15 Sheet Remnants
With this option you can configure parameters for a machine’s Remnant data section.
When the machining for a sheet only takes up small part of the total area (normally this happens
with the last sheet of a nest), sometimes there is a piece of the sheet we are interested in keeping
for future use, this is referred as a remnant. The system can automatically generate these
remnants and manage them in the database. This is very useful when the user want to use one of
these remnants for another order.
The system can be configured to recognize these remnants and store them in the sheets
database when saving the nest.
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Generate remnants when you save
Enabling this function, the system will automatically generate a remnant for the current sheet
when saving. There are two ways to generate a remnant. The first one is to use the original sheet
taking away the machined areas. The second method adds one or more cut lines creating
remnants for the remaining areas.
Generate remnants with the completed sheets
The system will keep on the database the whole sheet after cutting the parts. Sometimes this is
useful if the sheet has been machined with a few parts and is better not to cut it for remnants. The
user can get this sheet for nesting and machining more parts taking advantage of the remaining
space of the sheet.
Create the cutting line of the remnant automatically
This function allows to generate remnants following the options shown in the bitmaps. For
example, with this nesting.
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Each option will generate different number of remnants (in blue) and different remnant shape (in
green).
In the remnant shape with "?" letter, is the system who decides what kind of remnant will create
depending on the area value.
All the shapes and cutting lines depends on the values of the offset between the parts and the
lines, the minimum width of hollows and the minimum area of the remnant.
Using "Remnants / Automatic edge" option, user is allowed to generate an automatic remnant line
using the notches defined in Y-axis. This option allows optimizing the sheet to be used as
remnant.
Minimum X and Minimum Y: The system will not create a smaller remnant than the configure
values for X and Y. If the remnant is smaller, the system will use these values to create the
remnant. This option is only valid for the 6 firsts options on the menu.
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Offset between the parts and the line (e.g. 10,000)
This value will determine the distance between the remnant's cutting line and every part nested
on the sheet.
Minimum width of hollows (e.g. 10,000)
The value of this parameter is the minimum allowed for using a little space of the sheet which is
between parts in the limit of the remnant's cutting line.
Round the remnant line and radius
With this option the user can round the remnant line automatically when it is generated. The first
parameter allows to active this option and the second one asks the value for the round radius.
This option is also available for combined machines.
Delete the remnant area around parts
With this parameter disabled, the system will use as remnant any area of the sheet including
those which are inside parts like holes. If the user doesn't want to use these areas, this parameter
must be enabled.
Minimum area of remnants (e.g. 0,500m2)
The value of this parameter is going to be used for generating remnants always biggers that the
given square meters.
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Remnants can be rotated
The remnant will be generated as configured, but with this parameter enabled, the system will
look for the best position of the remnant for placing the cutting head (from-point) of the machine
into the sheet.
For example: From the sheet of the right, the remnant of the left has been generated.
The from-point is on the upper-left side of the sheet, now if the remnant is placed in the same
angle, it is going to be very difficult to place the head of the machine just in this point. It would be
easier if the remnant is placed turned. If this is enabled, the system will look for the best position
of the remnant.
This window can be updated in the nesting module for each sheet with Sheets -> Remnants ->
Scraps.
Prompt for references when generating remnants

The system generates a reference automatically for each remnant. But if this checkbox is
enabled, at the moment of generating a new remnant from the sheet, the system will ask for the
reference.
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1.16 Configure machines: Properties of material

thickness
Obviously, the machining process will not always be the same when using different materials and
thickness. Therefore, some of the machining parameters will need to change when we choose
different materials or specify a different thickness.
Before configuring any parameter, the user must create pairs of material-thickness limits, and
from there, all the changes made to the values of each section will be associated to that material
between specified thickness.
New button
Using this button, new material-thickness data will be created.
Material X5CRNI
Thickness 1 Thickness 2
0,0000 0,8
Modify button
The modify button allows to change the material or the thickness of one entry.
Delete button
The material-thickness association will be deleted together with all the values of each section for
that association.
Copy button
The user can copy one material/thickness entry, and all the values for each section will be copied
too.
Import button
With this button, a previous configuration can be imported. The system will prompt for a .CTT file,
this file is one Technological Table (CT).
Criteria button
For making easier the search of one concrete entry, the system provides this button which allows
to show on the screen just the entries corresponding to the selected criteria.
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1.16.1 Configure machines: Dependent data of material -

thickness
The system works associating the pair material-thickness with the respective values we assign to
the parameters. For example, the cut speed can be changed depending if the material is more or
less thinner.
For the cutting machines, the user can configure the following sections:
1.16.1.1. Cutting parameters
1.16.1.2. Sheets data
1.16.1.3. Automatic technology
1.16.1.4. Lead-in/Lead-out values
1.16.1.5. Automatic Lead-in/Lead-out values
1.16.1.6. Micro-joint values
1.16.1.7. Automatic micro-joint values
1.16.1.8. Loop values
1.16.1.9. Chamfer values
1.16.1.10. Bridge values
1.16.1.1 Cutting parameters
With this option you can configure the following cutting parameters:
Cutter radius (e.g. 0,750)
For the specified material between the given thickness, the system will use the value given here
as the radius for the cutter.
Piercing radius (e.g. 0,500)
Here, the piercing radius can be configured properly. This value will be looked when the system
checks the machining overlapping: if there is one lead inside part, the overlapping will be
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calculated including the piercing radius (if the lead-in is 8mm, and piercing radius is 2mm, any
part nearer to 10mm will be detected).
The system provides one option for verifying the machining of the whole sheet automatically
when saving, this can be done on Utilities -> Configure -> Draw and Nest ->Auxiliar -> Verify the
machining of the sheets while saving.
Cut speed (e.g. 1200,000 mm./m.)
This cut speed will be applied for any job done in the specified material between the thickness.
Chamfered speed (e.g. 300,000 mm./m.)
This speed will be applied for making chamfers for any job done in the specified material between
the thickness. This value will be used only for machines with bevel cutting possibilities.
Corrector for holes (e.g. 1)
Some numeric control have different corrector for interiors or exteriors. Here, the user can
configure the corrector number which the numeric control is going to use for interior contours.
Corrector for exteriors (e.g. 2)
In this case, the numeric control will use this number of corrector for exterior contours. The
numeric control corrector values must be programmed for using this properly.
Offset by minimum heat by parts.
Using this option the user can configure depending on material and thickness an offset to avoid
sheet heating.
Compensation by quality
Using this parameter the user can apply system compensation and/or control corrections
depending on the cutting quality of the parts and the type of cut. This option will allow to define
the following parameters with different for each quality.
• Corrector for holes

• Corrector for exteriors
• Compensation radius for holes
• Compensation radius for exteriors
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The user will also be able to distinguish between:
• Main contours in no common cut.

• Main contours in common cut.
• Auxiliary contours in common cut.
This option is only available for cutting machines. The configuration parameters for this option
can be defined material and thickness dependant.
1.16.1.2 Sheets Data
With this option you can configure the unusable sheet margins as well as sheet status. For
complete configuration see Machine configuration: General -> Sheet parameters (See page 44).
Sheet state (e.g. 1)
Indicate the fold status of the sheet through one of the numbers in the list. (0 = completely flat, 9
= very irregular). This parameter may be useful if the postprocessor uses it to calculate the
distance that the head must come down in order to cut/punch for trying to avoid collisions with
sheet.
Remnant margin (e.g. 10,000)
When a remnant is generated from the current sheet, if there is any value here, the remnant will
be created with these margins.
Sheets margins
This dialogue allows you to specify margins around the sheet. This ensures the machine is not
going to cut or punch out of the sheet and leave enough material to support the parts.
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1.16.1.3 Automatic technology
If the machine is using technological tables, there is an automatic way to assign cutting qualities
depending on material-thickness.
New button
This button will create a new entry on the cutting quality assignation table.
Minimum radius Maximum radius Cutting

quality
0,000 20,000 1
21,000 40,000 2
Minimum and Maximum radius
The parts are classified here by area. The system calculates the area of a part, then generates
internally the circle with the same area. Minimum and maximum radius designate the areas of the
circles that corresponds to the areas of the parts.
The area of a circle is ∏ r2 , then, the radius is:
Depending on the area (the radius of the circle with the same area), the system will assign a
cutting quality to the parts automatically.
This is only the definition of the associations, but we have to make them effective. There are
three automatic ways:
We can use automatic option in the drawing module. Once we have the desired part, choose
Technology -> Cut technology -> Automatic ( ) option. With this toolbar is possible to assign
cutting qualities manually, but if we click on the automatic button, the cutting quality settings will
be applied automatically.
The second way has to be configured and will be applied when saving the part. In Utilities -
Configure - Machine - Save options (See page 24), enable Automatic Technology checkbox.
When saving the part, the system will calculate the areas and assign, if any association exists,
the correct cutting quality settings.
The third way is in the same window, but on Execution nesting module section, if the Automatic
Technology checkbox is enabled, when entering on the nesting module, the system will
automatically apply cutting qualities depending on the area.
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Also, the user can assign a cutting quality to each contour manually using the Technology -> Cut
Technology -> Cutting ( ) option in the drawing module.
Next step is clicking on the desired contours for applying the cutting quality. Expert will show
them in a different color for making easier the identification of each cutting quality. There are two
related things which are important now:
• When the user clicks on this Cut button of the toolbar, there is the possibility of accessing to
the settings of the chosen cutting quality, with the Modify button.
This is very useful for reviewing the cutting quality configuration before applying it.
• The color which will be used for each cutting quality can be configured too. The user can
know exactly which cutting quality each contour has. The place of configuring this is on
Utilities -> Configure -> Draw and Nest -> Color -> Cutting Quality.
Dot small contours
The system will assign a dot cycle to all the contours whose radius is below the minimum radius,
but only if the configured minimum radius is bigger than 0. The action to take on each dot cycle
should be configured on Postprocessor - Specifics of cut - Dot cycle by default (See page 139).
Mark small contours
If the minimum radius is bigger than 0, the mark technology chosen here (powder, drill, pen, cut)
will be applied automatically to all the contours whose radius is below the minimum ones. This
option can be used together with the dot small contours checkbox.
For example:
1. Dot small contours option selected and Mark small contours is Drill: A dot cycle and a mark
with drill will be applied to all the contours smaller than the smallest radius.
2. Dot small contours option not selected and Mark small contours is Powder: The system will
apply a powder mark of all the contours smaller than the smallest minimum radius
configured. But it will not apply any dot cycle.
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1.16.1.4 Lead-in / Lead-out values
Lead-in/Lead-out values
With this option you can configure a machine’s approach parameters.
The user can assign manually leads for each part, this can be done with the leads toolbar which
appears if choosing the Technology - Lead in-Lead out option of the menu in both drawing and
nesting module.
In the toolbar, there is one option rounded by red line, which will show the values for the
parameters of the leads if the user assigns them manually.
See how to assign lead-in/lead-out manually (See page 159).
Lead-in/Lead-out distances
The following options will be applied to any lead inserted manually for all the jobs of the specified
material between the thickness. All the parameters are related to the length and shape of the
leads:
The leads can be very different. For this, depending on the leads that will be
used for the part, each parameter have different meaning. For example, the D parameter means
the length of one upright lead (first diagram), but if the lead has some angle, the D distance is the
height from the vertex (second diagram).
You can specify D, A, R, and S distances for lead in and/or lead out.
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Lead-in Lead-
out
D 7,000 5,000
A 45,00 45,00
R 7,500 5,500
S 0,500
Circle angles
If the user wants to place the lead manually, sometimes happen that this lead can't be placed in
the exact clicked point. The value of this parameter will help to system to decide where to put it.
The meaning is the angle step the system will use for placing the lead.
For example, with a 90 circles angle value, the lead will be placed in the nearest quadrant point to
clicked one: 0, 90, 180, 270. If the system can't place on nearest position, will try on next 90
degree point.
For a value of 30, the system is going to try to put the lead on every 30 degrees from the clicked
point: 0, 30, 60, 90, 120.
Cut the contour
The system will machine the contour just after the lead is placed if this checkbox is enabled.
Note: The user can assign leads for each part manually, this can be done choosing the Nesting
module -> Technology -> Lead in-Lead out option. See how to assign lead-in/lead-out
manually.(See page 159)
1.16.1.5 Automatic Lead-in / Lead-out values
If the user selects to assign the leads automatically, some parameters must be configured.
The system will try to insert lead-in/lead-out:
1. To use snap in order to place the lead in or lead out. With this the user will be able to
dynamically drag lead in with the mouse. To define the lead in, the user should define a
line (2 points option) crossing the contour where the lead in is going to be placed. There
are two different ways to define this lead in: Automatic, which take the values from the
automatic lead in option, and Manual where the user has to define the type for the lead in.
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There is an orthogonal selection mode (F2), which allows moving the lead only in
horizontal or vertical to the coordinate system.
2. If the user configures it in the Save options section of the machine configuration (See page
24). In these dialogues, the user can choose if it will insert lead-in/lead-out automatically
when saving the part, or when entering on the nesting module.
3. In both drawing and nesting modules, the user can select Technology -> Lead-in/Lead-
outs -> Automatic option to execute automatic lead-in/lead-out assignation or by using the
automatic toolbar button.
There is also a way to modify the placed lead-in/lead-out (See page 159)
The position of the lead, the type of leads to use depending on the different contours, and all the
distances must be configured.
Management by qualities
If the cutting qualities are used for the job, the system allows to configure different values for the
lead-in/lead-out when using the automatic assignation. With this checkbox enabled, the window
will show twelve tabs which are related to each of the twelve available cutting qualities:
NOTE: From Material-thickness dependent data - Automatic Lead-in/Lead-out, the cutting

qualities checkbox is not enabled. If the user wants to configure them depending on material-
thickness, first the Management by qualities checkbox must be enabled on Configure Machine -
Cutting machine - Automatic Lead-in/Lead-out.
Zone
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When using automatic leads, the user can choose the place where the system will try first for
placing the lead. It is possible to select different position for exterior contours of parts and for
holes. If the selected zone is the one marked with "?", the system will decide which leads position
is the best for cutting the part in the best conditions.
There are different kind of contours which system can distinguish. In the following table, there are
two examples for each contour type. All the geometries on red color are those on which the
selected lead-in/out type will be applied:
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The system will try to insert the lead type chosen on the first number, if this is not possible,
will try with second and last with third type. This is a way of configure different leads for irregular
exteriors and let system place the best one in each case.
Modify button
For each contour type, one lead-in/lead-out type can be assigned. The first type will not assign
any lead-in/lead-out to the contour:
There are some values to be specified that define each lead-in/lead-out dimensions.
Minimum length (e.g. 5,000)
This is the minimum length in which one lead can be placed. For example, if the system has been
configured for placing lead-in on the upper-right corner and in that corner there is a chamfer of
1mm, if the minimum length allowed is 5, the system tests the minimum length and doesn't place
it, it will find a better segment of the contour for getting bigger length for placing the lead.
Minimum Radius (e.g. 5,000)
The meaning is the same as the previous parameter, is for security on placing leads on big
enough segments. In this case, the system will look for the radius and if is not bigger than this
value will look for another segment.
Maximum angle (e.g. 135,000)
If the lead is for a corner, if the two segments constitute an angle bigger than this value, the
system will not place the lead and will try with different type of lead.
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Minimum angle (e.g. 45,000)
When the lead is for an interior contour, the system will test the angle between these
segments and if is smaller than the value given here, will not place it.
The same as previous one, if the angle of the interior contour's segments is bigger that the
value of this
parameter, the system will not place the lead.
Overlapping test
The lead-in/lead-out is placed out of the contours. Because of this, that new geometries can
collide with other geometries on the sheet: parts, other leads... the system provides three different
ways for testing if there is overlapping or not.
Shorten (e.g. % Shortening:- 0,100) : The lead-in/lead-out geometry will be shorten trying to avoid
the overlapping. The value is the maximum shortening allowed.
Change position (e.g. Number of attempts:- 10): The lead-in/lead-out will be placed in other
position, and system will try as different positions as the number given on Number of attempts.
Change position and shorten (e.g. % shortening:- 0,100 & Number of attempts:- 10): This
solution is a combination of the previous. The system will try on each position to short the lead-
in/lead-out geometries and if this not solved the overlapping, will change the position.
Change quality (e.g. New quality:-2 & % piercing radius:-100,000): In this case, system will try
changing the cutting quality of the lead-in/lead-out. With this, the configuration for lead-in/lead-out
will change getting the values configured of the new cutting quality.
Also, the piercing radius can be lower when there are overlappings.
Change position and quality (e.g. Number of attempts:- 10): On each position, the system is going
to try to change the cutting quality of the lead-in/lead-out, and if not, change position as many
times as specified attempts.
Change position, quality and shorten : For each position, the system will try changing the cutting
quality, and shorten the lead-in/lead-out on each position, and if the problem persists, change
position as many times as the value given.
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Change quality and shorten (e.g. %Shortening:- 0,100): First, the quality will be changed and if
still there are overlappings, the lead-in/lead-out geometries will be shorten.
Copy button
Because there are 12 possible cutting qualities, the same parameters must be configured many
times. To make the data entry easier, system provides this button which permits to copy the
automatic lead-in/lead-out configuration from existing cutting quality values.
1.16.1.6 Micro joint values
This option permits the configuration of default micro-joint values.
The user can assign micro-joint for each part manually using Drawing / Nesting module ->
Technology -> Microjoints -> Configure option.
See how to assign micro-joints manually (See page 162)
With the red color rounded icon, the user can access to this micro-joints parameters
configuration:
Lead-in/Lead-out values (A, D, S, &Radius)
Specify A, D, S, and Radius values here for lead-in and lead-out.
Depending on the given radius value on lead-in and lead-out, the system will place the micro-joint
using these radiuses:
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Circles angle
When the micro-joint is assigned manually, the system will try to put it in the exact clicked point,
but this is not always possible.
With this parameter, the system will decide where to put it. The value meaning is the angle step
the system will use for placing the micro-joint in relation to clicked point.
For example, with a 90 circles angle value, the micro-joint will be placed in the nearest quadrant
point to clicked one: 0, 90, 180, 270. If the system can't place on nearest position, will try on next
90 degree point.
For a value of 30, the system is going to try to put the micro-joint on every 30 degrees from the
clicked point: 0, 30, 60, 90, 120.
1.16.1.7 Automatic micro joint values
If the user selects to assign the micro-joints automatically, some parameters must be configured.
The system will try to insert micro-joints automatically if the user uses the Nesting module -
>Technology -> Micro-joints -> Automatic option or the automatic button from the Micro-joint
toolbar (See page 176) on the nesting module.
micro-joint when using the automatic assignation. With this checkbox enabled, the window will
show twelve tabs which are related to each of the twelve available cutting qualities.
Micro-joint types
These are all the micro-joints the system supports automatically. For each one, there are some
parameters to configure as shown on the graphs. Enter D, A, S, and Radius parameters for lead-
ins and lead-outs.
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Circles angle
This value is used for system to test positions for placing micro-joints. The meaning is the angle
step the system will use for placing the micro-joints near the clicked point. For example, if the
value is 90, the system will try first the clicked point for placing micro-joint, then 0,90,180,270
degrees position from the first point.
Distance between micro-joints (e.g. 100,000)
This is the minimum distance, the system will not allow to place one micro-joint at a distance
lower than this value.
Minimum number of micro-joints for each contour and Maximum number of micro-joints for each
contour
Using this option, if the contour has a very big perimeter and the maximum number of micro-joints
has been added, the system will distribute the microjoints halfway (without taking care to the
minimum separation).
If the contour is small and the microjoints are too close, the system will redefine them and will
locate them halfway on the contour (f.i. on a contour with a perimeter=1.200mm and minimum
distance between microjoints=1.000mm). These parameter may affect to machine general
configuration and material-thickness dependent data.
Copy button
Because there are 12 possible cutting qualities, the same parameter must be configured many
times. For making the data entry easier, Expert provides this button which permit to copy the
automatic micro-joint configuration from existing cutting quality values.
1.16.1.8 Loop values
This option allows the user to configure the parameters of the Loop values section in a machine.
The loops are used for improving the corner's quality of the parts.
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The system will try to use loops for corners:

24). In these dialogues, the user can choose if the system will insert loops automatically
2. In the drawing module, the user can get the Loops toolbar, and execute automatic loops
assignation using the automatic button:
See how to assign loops manually (See page 163).
The system allows to use two looping techniques.
The r parameter has different meaning depending on the loop type.
Automatic Loops
For automatic machining, the loops can be applied:
Only in element of chamfers : In automatic mode, the loops will be applied only to the chamfers of
the contours.
Only in angles : The automatic loops will be applied just to angles.
In chamfers or in angles : The automatic machining will apply loops in chamfers and angles.
Round angles
With this feature, the machine will use soft movement without hard trajectory changes on corners.
The result is better part machining. Depending on the degrees, the angle will be rounded using
the R value.
There are four different kinds of contours where to apply the angle round, if none of them are
chosen the settings will not have effect.
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Radii button
Clicking this button takes you to another dialog, where you can assign round angles to various
cutting qualities.
For the angle round process the system will look for these segments whose angle is not bigger
than the value given here (for the two options on the right side).
1.16.1.9 Chamfer values
This option allows the user to configure the parameters of the Chamfer values of the machines.
For making chamfers, the machine must have a rotation head which allows to cut in different
angles.
There are two values for every parameter, one on the left and the other at right side of >>>>. This
is for variable chamfers, the user can configure with what distance and angle the chamfer will
start and at what distance and angle will finish.
There are three different kinds of chamfers that can be done depending on the parameters.
Higher chamfer: It will be done on the upper side of the sheet. For this chamfers, only the ds and
as parameter will be used, the rest value must be 0. If ds and as have the same values on the left
and on the right side, the chamfer is fixed, not variable.
Lower chamfer: For this kind of chamfer, the parameters to fill are di and ai. The left and right
values must be equal for fix chamfers, or different for variable chamfers.
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Double chamfer: The machine must have three heads: one for vertical cut, one for higher chamfer
and the third for lower chamfer. In this case all the values must be filled, and for variable
chamfers the values must be different from left to right side.
The chamfers must be assigned manually to each part using one of the four kind of chamfers on
the Chamfers toolbar.
Once a type is selected, the system prompts to choose the contour to apply the chamfer:
The system changes the color of the contours on which the chamfer has been applied. This color
can be configured from main module: Utilities -> Configure -> Draw and Nest -> Colors -> Micro-
joints.
1.16.1.10 Bridge values
With this option you can configure a machine’s bridge values parameters. These options will be
applied automatically using the Technology -> Bridges Toolbar -> Automatic ( ) option.
See how to apply bridge manually from the nesting module (See page 164).
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The bridges are used to join various contours cut with less piercings. For example:
In this example, two bridges are placed. The first one, between the superior part and the middle
one, the part is cut completely. But in the second bridge, the parts remain joined by the bridge.
a distance (e.g. 5,000)
This is the length of the bridge between parts.
Maximum length (e.g. 25,000)
This value is the maximum distance allowed for creating one bridge between contours
Maximum Number
This value is the limit on maximum number of bridges you can have at a time. The default
value is zero, this means there is no limit.
Part area
With this option it is possible for the user to define the Minimum and Maximum area of parts to
be bridge automatically.
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On corners
The bridges will be applied on part's corners. In the example, there are bridges on corners that
allows to make all the machining without raising the head.
1.17 Cutting parameters
There are different kind of cutting machines: oxicut, laser, plasma, etc.
In this window all the parameters related to each machine type can be configured.
Cutter radius (e.g. 0,750)
This is the radius of the machine’s cutter in mm. This radius is equal to the kerf, is the radius of
the cutting line.
Piercing radius (e.g. 0,500)
The piercing radius have relationship with the area around the piercing point where the system
will keep as not usable for security reasons. Normally, this distance is not workable material
because of the piercing process, and the system will use the value given here as the radius of the
circle around the piercing point of non-usable sheet.
When testing the machining, the system will output a warning message if this area has been used
by any geometry. For example, with two parts nested like on the figure:
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It seems that the piercings have distance between enough for not having problems. But, making
the machining and verifying it, the system looks for the piercing radius and test every piercing for
collisions:
1. Machining:
2. Verify the machining at Utilities -> View system status -> Verify the machining.
If the system detects overlapping it shows a warning message, in this case the user should
change the lead-in positions:
Type of cut
The cut technology of the machine can be selected here: Oxicut, Plasma, High definition plasma,
Laser and Water. For laser machines, some parameters must be configured clicking on the
button:
Laser parameters (See page 166)
Water parameters (See page 168)
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Texts angular tolerance (e.g. 90)
Some machines cannot mark text in any angle. With this parameter, we tell to the system at what
angle the machine can mark text. The nesting module will orientate the text depending on the
machine limitations.
There are special cycles
This checkbox determines the way the drawing module will handle the cycles. When this option is
disabled, the special cycles options of the drawing module will be disabled too. For example, it
will only prompt for destination point when picking Simple cycle tool (See page 168).
In the other way, if the checkbox is enabled, when selecting any cycles tool, there are many
options that can be used: Drawing module -> Machining.
If the special cycles checkbox is disabled, the system will ask for destination points of the cycle.
But if the checkbox is enabled, a new dialog will emerge which requires you to select the type of
the cycle.
Cycles
Dot
Dot by cut on/off
Simple drill cycle
Drill cycle with breaking of shaving
Tap cycle
Ream cycle
C. sink cycle
Special cycle of cut
Special punching cycle
These are the different ways of doing special cycles. If the numeric control allows it, the
postprocessor will read these values for making the CNC program.
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Deal with number of sheets in the system
If the installed machine can use more than one sheet at once, these sheets can be configured,
the space between them and the total limit between the first and the last sheet.
Number of sheets = 3; Gap between sheets = 50,000; Total limit between sheets = 700
The following schema will explain this:
The machine must be multi-torch to use this options, and the number of sheets that we want to
use must coincide with the number of torches. The way to check this is going to Utilities-
>Configure–>Machines –> Multi-torch data.
See the example of how to use different number of sheets with multi-torch (See page 84).
Test collision in the margins of the sheet
The system doesn't check by default if any part collides with the margins of the sheet. Enabling
this checkbox, the system will detect such situations while verifying the machining.
With this option (i.e. Checkbox) enabled, if you do the machining, and then choose Utilities –>
View System Status -> Verify the machining, the system will notice you about the collision with
the warning message "The machining has overlappings" and the place where the collision is:
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Automatic control of the focal distance
If the machine supports it, here the system will use the automatic control of the focal distance
feature of the machine. This focal distance is referred as the position of the laser beam focus in
relation to the top of the plate to be cut.
Table height offset
The cutting head must respect this offset for working on a higher height. Sometimes the sheet is
not placed directly over the table because, for example, an special support is placed in between.
In this case, the system should know the height for avoid collisions directly over the sheet. This
height is configured here.
Ignore non cut contours
The system allows to use non-cut technology. This can be assigned to geometries which the user
doesn't want to machine like auxiliar geometries, explanations. The way of doing this is selecting
the Technology -> Cut technology -> Cut toolbar -> non-cut option in nesting module.
The meaning of this parameter is for nesting module. If it is enabled, the nesting will be done
without using the non-cut contours getting only the rest of the geometries. But if is disabled and
some non-cut contours are included, the nesting will be done using these contours too although
they are not going to be machined.
For example, if the non-cut contours are in blue color, the space of these two rectangles will be
respected on nesting if the parameter is disabled:
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Compensation mode
There are two ways of making the compensation: by System or by Numeric Control. In the
second, the parameters must be configured on the Numeric Control of the machine, but in the
compensation by system is the system who will manage it. The three drawings that appears
below are a visual representation of each compensation mode. Choosing one of them will
determine how the system will apply the compensation.
Contour attributes
The postprocessor gets all the needed information from the system and makes with it the CNC
program. For that, there are some parameters that only will be used by the postprocessor, and
won’t have any changes on how the system does the nesting-machining process. These
parameters can be associated to elements of the parts, to piercings, or, like here, to contours. So,
the object of all the variables of this dialog is to associate values to contours, then these values
will be read by the postprocessor for doing the actions properly.
Corner Management (e.g. 10,000): The value will be assigned to all the corners of the contour.
Micro-joint at contour's end:
By quality (e.g. - 5,000): The value will be applied at contours micro-joint if exists. There is the
possibility of filter what micro-joints are going to be valued depending on quality.
User attributes: These values will be applied to all the contours. Establishing these values from
here will apply them to all the contours of parts in automatic mode.
The system will show in the screen what attributes are assigned to each contour with the given
value:
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In the part, there are corner, user01 and user02 attributes applied for all the contours, also the
values of each attribute are printed in the screen. The postprocessor will read these values if they
are necessary for build the CNC Program.
The other way for assigning contour attributes with values is the manual way. In the nesting
module, with the Technology –> Cut technology -> Contour Attributes option, the attributes can
be selected from the below table and the given values will be applied depending on the options.
Contour attributes
Make on
Picked contours
All the contours
The contours with same technology
The contours with same technology and quality
All the contours of the part
The contours of the part with same technology
The contours of the part with same technology and
quality
Make on
The select part
The equal parts with same angle
Every equal parts
The seven top options are used to filter the contours which will receive the contour attributes
depending on the part, technology, and quality.
The last three options allows to choose to what parts will be applied the contour attributes.
These are used to filter the contours which will receive the contour attributes depending on the
part, technology, and quality. The contour attributes will be selected for some parts.
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Compensations by quality
Using this parameter the user can apply system compensation and/or control corrections
depending on the cutting quality of the parts and the type of cut. This option will allow to define
the following parameters with different for each quality.
• Corrector for holes

• Corrector for exteriors
• Compensation radius for holes
• Compensation radius for exteriors
The user will also be able to distinguish between:
• Main contours in no common cut.

• Main contours in common cut.
• Auxiliary contours in common cut.
This option is only available for cutting machines. The configuration parameters for this option
can be defined material and thickness dependant
Assign this data automatically in the sheet: With this option the user can assign all the data
automatically in the sheet.
With this option enabled, the system will show the Cutting Parameters dialog always when the
initialization instruction is executed.
Initializing the machine: In the nesting module it can be done manually using the Machining -
>Initialize option, or clicking on the Initialize Button of the Machining Toolbar.
1.18 Common Cutting parameters
There are different options to set up if the user wants to use common cut.
Common cut
This configures how the common cut is going to be done:
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Between two parts: When this option is selected, a new button will appear for configuring the lead
in/out values for the common cut.
Using the button parameter user can configure the lead ins/outs of the auxiliary contours in
common cut. the user will be able to configure different options, they are:
No lead in/out
One lead/out in the same direction and length equal to the cutter radius.
Perpendicular leads in/out with the length configured as the cutter radius or the one defined for
the automatic lead-ins or a fixed value defined by the user.
Between several parts: The common cut will be done between more than two parts, if possible.
Length of pre-cutting elements: If the system is cutting parts together sometimes it happens that
already cut parts should move or incline a little which is dangerous for the head because of
collision.
In this example, the red parts are already cut, but the blue not. If this parameter is 0, the cutting
head will go back to the intersection to start cutting blue parts, but that point is very dangerous
because the red part may be moved or inclined:
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To avoid this kind of situations, the system provides to enter a security value which is the
distance of the common cut joined part which is going to be cut:
It is allowed to reverse contours: If enabled, the system will reverse the contour sense of cut if is
better for the process.
Factor for insignificant length (e.g. 1,000)
The given value for this factor is the maximum distance the system will leave without cutting when
using the common cut feature. This prevents a situation like the figure, where the machining
starts from the smaller parts, and once they are cut, the machine cuts the small segment between
the two parts:
With a small factor value, the system will leave it without cut.
Nesting for common cut
All the next options changes the nesting process for allowing automatic common place of the
parts on the sheet. For working automatically properly, the user should configure the same
settings on nesting for common cut and on common cut, and then, use automatic nesting and
machining. The other way is to place the parts manually on the sheet and, if the common cut is
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enabled, the user can make the automatic machining allowing the system to try to apply the
common cut to the manual nesting.
Between two parts: The nesting will be optimized for placing parts together two by two.
Between several parts: The system will try to use the common cut at most possible parts.
The value given here is the minimum length that the contours must have to apply the common
cut.
Only between same length elements
The common cut only will be applied if the common contours have the same length.
Only place on nesting direction
If enabled, the nesting will be done optimizing the common cut instead of lower sheet usage.
For example:
In the sheet of the left, the system tries to use the sheet at most placing the two right parts down
on the sheet. But on the sheet of the right, the system detects that the common cut is better and
places the part properly.
System compensation
The compensation can be treated by the program or by the numeric control. When using common
cut, we can determine if the compensation is not going to be used, if it is going to be used only in
the main contour of the common cut parts, or in all the contours. When using any of the system
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compensation mode, be sure that the machining is configured to use system compensation:
Utilities –> Configure –> Machines –> Automatic Machining –> Cut -> System compensation.
Main contours: The compensation will be applied to the common cut main contour.
All the contours: All the contours will use the system compensation.
Islets
Because of the use of common cut, some holes between parts may appear. The system provides
two different treatments for them.
The blue holes are examples of islets using common cut:
Cut the parts inside the islands first: If the island is big enough, it may contain another part nested
inside, with this enabled, the system will cut first these parts before cutting the island.
Cut all the islands first: The machining will start always for cutting all the islands, and then the
part's contours.
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1.19 Multitorch data
The configuration of the multitorch of the selected machine appears in the present window.
Number of torches (e.g. 3)
Shows and allows to configure the number of torches of the machine. The system supports to use
up to 20 torches at the same time.
Torch capabilities
Each torch may have different capabilities for cut, mark or for machine chamfers or notches. In
this dialogue, the use can choose the capabilities of each torch.
Torch Chamfering Cut Mark Notches

1 X X X X
2 X
3 X
In the example, the first can be used for all kinds of machine, but the second or the third will only
be used for normal cut.
Torches on axis Y
Depending on each machine, the torches can be placed on X axis (by default), or in Y axis. It is
important to specify to system which kind of torches placement the machine uses.
Control torch
Establishes which is the reference torch. The CNC program will be built for this torch, the rest will
follow its movements.
The options depend on the previous parameter. If the torches are on axis X, possible movements
are Right and Left. If the torches are on axis Y, possible movements are Up and Down.
Minimal and distance between torches (e.g. 100,000)
This is the minimum distance allowed for the torches to be placed one near other.
Maximal and distance between torches (e.g. 99999.999)
This is the maximum distance allowed for the torches to be placed one near other.
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View configuration in "Do all"
The multitorch configuration can be shown each time the user clicks on "Do All" option in the
nesting module, which makes the nesting and machining process automatically for all jobs
depending on the configurations of Automatic Nesting and Automatic Machining. This dialogue
can be shown using Sheets -> Multitorch too.
In the dialogue the list of torches along with the capabilities and distances of each one:
The capabilities of each torch is shown with icons:
Also, here the number of activated torches to use should be configured. If the icon near the
number is with red color , the system will use that torch. The user can inactivate torches
clicking on this icon knowing that the reference torch can't be disabled, then the icon will change
appearing on black color .
Rotate parts according to multitorch
Select this option to allow the system to rotate parts while using multitorch.
Positioning
Clicking on this button will show a torch placement dialogue with following parameters:
Test this data before machining: Using this parameter in order to test the possibility to do
multitorch cutting by position when the system detects multitorch cutting. the system verifies if the
torches can reach the specified position before performing the machining.
If the part is not correct, then the system exploits the part and its corresponding multitorch parts.
Index of the reference torch (e.g. 1): The reference torch is the one with motor, the rest of them
depends on this. This number sets the index of this master torch.
Initial position of the reference torch: The reference torch is placed fixed in the carriage, can't be
moved along it. The system should know the position of this reference torch with this value.
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Minimal position of torches with respect to zero point of the carriage (e.g. -230,000): The rest of
the torches can be placed along the carriage but with limits. The nearest to the reference torch
must be placed at least at the distance given here. The distance is referred to the zero point of
the torch.
Maximal position of torches with respect to zero point of the carriage (e.g. 2230,000): The
maximal position along the carriage where the farther torch to the reference torch can be placed.
The distance is referred to the zero point of the torch.
Maximum length that can move to negative the zero of the carriage (e.g. 150,000): The carriage
can be placed in different positions always between a physical limits. This value is the maximum
length which the zero of the carriage can be moved to negative direction.
Maximum length that can move to positive the zero of the carriage (e.g. 150,000): The distance
the zero of the carriage can be moved to positive direction.
Co-ordinates of the zero of the carriage respect the zero of the sheet: This value is the distance
between the zero point of the sheet and the zero point of the carriage. If the reference torch is
placed in the middle of the carriage, and the sheet is placed in the work zone, this is the distance
between the reference torch and the zero point of the sheet.
Torch movement length: Select whether the torch movement length should be independent of the
separation or depend on that.
-Independent of the separation: This will allow to cut parts even when any of the torches is out
of its “Maximal position of the torches respect of the zero point of the carriage”.
-Dependent of the separation: If any of the torches is out of its “Maximal position of the torches
respect of the zero point of the carriage”, the parts will not be cut (even if the part keeps the
minimum distance with the previous one).
Assignation of the dimensions of the contour: If it is
By Contours: The system will decide depending on the carriage limits which torches to use for
machining problematic contours.
By Parts: The part will be machined always with the same torch (interior and exterior contours).
See the example of working with these parameters (See page 170).
Automatic distances
If enabled, the system will calculate the optimal distances between torches for the related nesting,
then, in the report will output them.
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Disabled, the user can manually enter the distances. For making it easier, and if the distance is
fixed between torches, the Equal distances button can be pressed after input one value, resulting
on automatically filled the rest of values:
Equal distances
Work with fixed number of torches
With this checkbox active, the system will make the nesting trying to use always all the active
torches at the same time.
For example, if the system is configured with three torches and using automatic distances, the
nesting and machining will be different depending on the configuration of this parameter:
In the first case, the system finds the optimization of the multitorch feature, it works always with
all the actived torches, in this case with the three torches. The bigger part doesn’t appear
because the quantity is only two, not three as the torches.
The second case explains the possibility of doing a nesting using the multitorch feature as far as
possible, and then the machine will stop for disabling any torch. It uses first the three torchs, then
two torchs, and if there were any other part, only one torch also will be used.
With other example the possibilities of this feature will be explained.
Now the quantity of the smaller part is very high, but we don’t want only to use the sheet for that
part, we want to use the sheet to cut the two bigger parts.
The multitorch is configured with three torches, and working with the fixed number of torches.
When doing the automatic nesting, we obtain this:
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Now, we increase the quantity of the bigger part in two more, and disable one of the torches. With
the Delete tool, we clear the right middle of the sheet:
Disabling one of the torches, and clicking on "Do all" again, here is the result:
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1.20 Automatic nesting
With this option you can configure automatic nesting parameters.
The configuration made here will be applied when the user makes the nesting process
automatically, this is on nesting module using one of the automatic options: Nesting module ->
Nesting -> Do all/One sheet/Semi-automatic/Place ( ).
Also, this dialogue can be shown from the Nesting module allowing the user change the
configuration and make tests faster: Utilities -> Configure -> Automatic nesting.
General
Precision
The Precision bar fits the exactness of the nesting. Also if the Precision x 10 checkbox is
enabled, the precision will be very high but this is not recommended because it requires a lot of
processor time. The 74% is a standard value that works right in most cases.
Regularity
When doing the nesting, the system tries part combinations for taking good advantage of the
space. If the bar is placed with high values, the system will try more part combinations and will
use those on which the space profit is better.
Space between parts or Space between parts offset
With this option the user can specify the space between parts offset in automatic nesting.
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Advanced
Nesting priority direction
With this option it is possible to nest the sheet by rows (using horizontal direction) or columns by
(using vertical direction). This option is also available for combinated machines.
Make modules for staggered
Check this box if you want staggered module.
Make multitorch modules
Check this box in case you want to make multitorch modules. The system will create the modules
for the defined number of torches.
Allow mirroring
With this parameter activated, the parts will be placed with symmetries if this is easy for the
nesting. There are some cases that this should not be activated, for example when using plated
sheets on which one side of the part must be always the same.
For each part, the user can choose whether rotations and symmetries are allowed or not. In the
main module, clicking with the right button over the part and choosing properties will show the
part configuration, clicking on more button, the rotations and symmetries possibilities will be
shown.
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Although the symmetric are allowed for each part, if the Allow mirroring option is disabled, no
symmetric will be applied on nesting.
Rectangular mode is allowed
For improving the speed on the nesting calculations, with this parameter enabled, the system will
treat the almost rectangular parts as rectangular. Those parts are not totally rectangular because
they have small irregularity (maybe rounded corner or chamfer), and the not-rectangular space is
not usable for nesting, if the system takes them as totally rectangular, the nesting will be faster.
In the example, the green space will not be used for placing any geometry because the part will
be considered as totally rectangular.
Corner
The nesting process will start from the selected corner to the opposite direction.
Optimize remnant of the last sheet
The parts will be placed using the minimum X or Y for trying to generate the best remnant
possible. Normally, when there is a big job which includes more than one sheet, this optimization
will be applied to the last sheet of the job.
Exact nesting
Once the nesting has been done, if this parameter is enabled, the system will go part by part
checking the space between parts and making small movements until this space is exact. This
makes the nesting much slower and is not recommended.
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Fit every part to one corner of the sheet
Depending on the point chosen on the corner parameter, the system will try to place all the parts
from that sheet corner without taking into account the sheet margin. This can be used for saving
one cut using the side of the sheet. But this is dangerous when there are remnants on the nesting
or it has been made between clamps.
Space between parts (e.g. 8,000)
The minimum distance allowed between parts is the meaning of this parameters.
Rotation possibilities (e.g. 15)
This is the angle step for system to try to place the part on the sheet. For example, with 15
degrees value, the system gets the part and makes tests for placing the part on every 15 degrees
position, in this case 24 tries (24 x 15 = 360 degrees).
Number of nesting methods (e.g. 2)
The system uses internally different ways for making the nesting. The number of nesting methods
to try should be configured here. Once all the methods have been tried, the system will use that
on which the sheet usage is better.
Minimum usable area to insert parts in apertures (e.g. 50)
The system is going to use holes for placing parts inside if the area is big enough. With this
parameter, the system will not test the holes smaller that the given value for placing parts inside.
Create equal sheets
Using this option the user can generate some equal sheets more when performing the automatic
machining of the active sheet. This parameter allows generating the maximum number of similar
sheets or asking for the desired number of sheets.
Look for regularity and Number of regular tests
Using this method the user can define the automatic nesting: Regular nesting. This option is
activated with a first parameter. A second parameter indicates the intensity of the search for
regular nestings.
This method can be useful for nesting one or few parts in a large amount. With this the user
obtains a uniform nesting in the sheet.
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The new method does not substitute the existing ones, but it is used as one more testing in the
search for the best nesting. If the user wants to always use the regular nesting, the user should
activate this new method and put 0 in the parameter " Number of testing methods".
Unitary:
Sheet margins: This dialogue allows you to specify margins around the sheet. This ensures the
machine is not going to cut or punch out of the sheet and leave enough material to support the
parts.
Ignore open contours: When making the ONE PART option. with this option on the system will not
use the open contours (Lead ins included) to calculate the necessary sheet for the part.
Create the sheet in database: With this option enabled the sheet will be created in the database
with quantity=0, when creating the sheet for the ONE PART option.
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Prompt for this data: In this case, when nesting with ONE PART option the system will as for the
sheet margins and if the part needs to be created on the database.
1.21 Automatic machining
With this option you can configure the following automatic machining parameters:
1.21.1 Cut
1.21.2 Component removal
1.21.3 Automatic cycles on leads-in
1.21.1 Cut
Establishes values when performing any automatic machining.
The automatic machining process can be executed on two cases, all from nesting module:
1. Using the "Automatic machining" option . This can be chosen from the Machining menu,
or using the button of the toolbar ( ). This option executes the automatic machining to
the current sheet.
2. Using the "Do All" option . This can be chosen from the Nesting menu, or using the button
of the toolbar ( ). This option will execute both automatic nesting and machining on all
the jobs of the order.
Finish parts
The machine will finish machining first the part's holes and then the exterior contour of the part
before moving to another part.
Cut holes first
This option will only be shown if Finish parts is disabled. The reason is that if the previous
parameter is enabled, the machine will cut all the part before going to another one, and if cut
holes first is enabled, the system will cut all the part's holes of the sheet first and then all the
exterior contours.
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Only cut holes
From all the sheet, only the interior contours of the part will be cut.
This is an example of different configurations for the same nesting. The figure of the left is one
nesting with two different parts nested. There are 20 different contours between holes and
exteriors. The number of each figure of the right means the machining order which will be the
result of the different configurations:
Cut the remnant line
When a remnant has been generated, this options allows to system to insert the CNC code that
will separate the remnant from the sheet. For this option to work it is important to have a remnant
line inserted, this can be configured automatically on Configure machine - Sheet remnants (See
page 48) or made manually from nesting module using the Sheets - remnant option of the menu.
The three points button ( ) will show a dialogue where you need to enter some values for
following parameters:
At the beginning or at the end of the machining: depending on each option, the operation will be
done at the beginning or at the end of the machine process.
Mode:
The system now allows the user to choose between:
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Like contour: The remnant line is cut as any other regular contour, skipping the lines with no cut
technology.
Like cut movements (From beginning to end): GO TO instructions are inserted between the sides
that are cut. The sides with cut technology are cut starting from one of the ends.
Like cut movements (Starting from the middle): GO TO instructions are inserted between the
sides that are cut. The sides with cut technology are cut starting from the middle towards both
ends.
Modify the remnant line when cutting if it exceeds the clamp zone: When this parameter is active,
before cutting the remnant line, the systems checks if it passes over any clamp. If so, the systems
will modify the line. These parameters will be only displayed if the machine has clamps or fixed
clamps.
Apply lead in/outs automatic during nesting
If the parts are placed on the sheet and the lead in/outs have not been placed yet, the system will
check it and insert them depending on the Configure machine - automatic lead-in/out (See page
123) configuration.
Apply lead in/outs in the part automatically
When the automatic machining option is executed on drawing module, the system will insert lead
in/out automatically if this parameter is enabled. The lead in/out will be placed depending on the
configuration made on Configure machine - automatic lead-in/out (See page 123).
Order mode of the holes
With this parameter, user can order the internal machining of a part. Until this moment the internal
machining of a part was decided by the system by proximity, the user will be able to define the
Initial machining point: It will be one of the corners of the part; the selected one or the closed to
the current pint before start the internal machining.
The cutting direction: Horizontal or vertical.
Orthogonally tolerance: It defined the maximum distance between two holes to be considered in
the same cutting line. This distance is referred to axe – horizontal or vertical.
Position for lead-in/lead-out
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Criteria = Standard: The lead-in/lead-out will be placed depending on the configuration made on
Configure machine - automatic lead-in/out (See page 123)
Criteria = Avoiding holes: The lead-in/lead-out will be placed looking at automatic machining
process. For this, the leads position will be changed for trying the head not to pass over cut holes
which can be dangerous for the head.
Test of parts inside others
The system will test if there are nested parts inside other part's holes. If this happens it is very
important to machine them first. For example:
Put in order by qualities
The system provides a way for ordering the machining. One criteria is ordering depending on the
assigned cutting quality to each contour.
By sheet: The machine will cut first all the contours whose cutting quality coincides with the
chosen list.
By part: The selected order on the dialogue will be followed for each part. When one part has
been finished, the machine will go to order the qualities of another part.
In both by sheet and by part, clicking on the three points button will show one dialogue with two
lists. The left one contains the available cutting qualities, and moving them to the right list will
build a list which will be followed for the selected order type:
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In the next example, there are two equal parts with two cut qualities assigned, depending on the
option, the order will be as written at the right side:
By part: First part: qualities 1 and 2

Second part: qualities 1 and2
By sheet: Quality 1 of all the parts
Quality 2 of all the parts
Cut the sheet framework
When the cutting process has finalized, the system provides solutions for the sheet leavings. The
Cut the sheet framework option makes the machine to cut the scraps in horizontal and vertical
cuts. The three points button ( ) will show a dialogue where you need to enter some values for
Maximum length in X and Y: Determines the maximum rectangle that will be generated as scrap.
Offset in the parts: Is the minimum distance between the cut and the parts
Offset in the edge of the sheet: Configures the distance between the cut and the edge of the
sheet
Cut in holes: This checkbox will determine if the holes are going to be cut or not
Start in the middle: Instead of cutting the framework lines from up to down, the segments will be
cut from the middle to one side, then it will go to the center again and to the other side.
At the beginning or at the end of the machining: Depending on each option, the operation will be
done at the beginning or at the end of the machine process.
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The user can define the way the remnant line is cut. This parameter is specially defined in order
to cut the remnants generated through the option called “Draw the exact edge”. These remnant
lines are created as contours with cut and no cut technologies.
The system now allows the user to choose between:
Like contour: The remnant line is cut as any other regular contour, skipping the lines with no cut
technology.
Like cut movements (From beginning to end): GO TO instructions are inserted between the sides
that are cut. The sides with cut technology are cut starting from one of the ends.
Like cut movements (Starting from the middle): GO TO instructions are inserted between the
sides that are cut. The sides with cut technology are cut starting from the middle towards both
ends.
Order: Using this parameter the user can define the sheet skeleton (frame).
The user can configure the three options they are:
-By Proximity
-Horizontal + Vertical
-Vertical + Horizontal
Also it is possible to define the initial point as any corner of the sheet and if the frame is going to
be Cut in Zig-Zag.
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Only when the remnant line is cut
This option enabled will force the script to be cut always after the remnants have been cut.
Multitorch with maximum space between torches
This option is used when there is more than one torch, the machining will be performed in such a
way that the torches are as far as possible from each other when it is necessary. In this way, the
first torch will be able to cut remaining as close as possible to its initial position. This will avoid the
torches cutting in positions they cannot physically reach.
In order to perform the machining in this way, if the nesting has been done automatically, besides
enabling this option, it is necessary to regenerate the nesting before machining. This is because
when nesting automatically, the system saves information about the torches that will be used. If
the nesting has not been done automatically, then, there is no need to regenerate the nesting.
Show progress bar
When doing the automatic machining, the system must perform very complicated internal
calculations which may take some time. The user can know what is the system doing on every
moment with the progress bar.
After the automatic machining is over, the system can keep the progress window for a while. This
is what the Delay after completion parameter (e.g. 5,0000 s.) sets.
CN compensation
Most numeric controls have automatically procedures of applying the compensation.
If the CN compensation checkbox is enabled, the system will leave all the related settings to the
numeric control. There are two index for the numeric control that can be configured from here:
Holes (e.g. 1) and Parts (e.g. 2) index.
System compensation
Enabled, the system is going to manage all the compensation settings. There are some options of
the systems that have to be properly configured for obtaining a good compensation configuration.
In Configure Machines - Cutting parameters (See page 72) there are two values which
determines how the compensation will be done: Cutter radius (See page 72)and Compensation
mode (See page 72). If there is any material-thickness related configuration, the system will take
the cutter radius from there.
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The system gives the option of assign compensation manually too, in the Nesting module ->
Technology –> CN compensation -> Compensation index (e.g. 1) , or in the Nesting module ->
Technology –> System compensation -> Cutter radius (e.g. 2,000).
Choosing CN compensation or System compensation, they have almost the same configure
dialog. CN compensation will prompt for the compensation index, and System compensation
requires the cutter radius .
Selecting the contours will assign to them the chosen compensation mode and settings.
Dwell time of cycles
When there is a cycle, the value given here is the time in seconds the cycle will keep on.
Type of cycle
Also, the type of the cycle is configured here:
Default: If this option is selected, the system will use the configured type of cycle on Configure
machines -> Postprocessor -> Specifics of cut -> Dot Cycle by default.
Drill cycles: All the cycles applied on automatic machining will be drill cycles.
Switch on/off: All the cycles on automatic machining will be switch on/off cycles.
See also the Configure machine - Cutting parameters - There are special cycles (See page
72)option.
Use fast cutting mode in holes (flying cut)
With this option the user can perform a new cutting order for the internal holes of a part.
There are some restrictions to define which elements of each hole can be cut in this mode,
depending on the minimum radius to keep the arc continuity and depending on the angular
tolerance to join elements in the same cut.
The parameters of this option help the user to defined the desired cutting sequence and the order
between these sequences:
Restrictions to define the union among elements in the same cutting sequence:
-“Elements of different type”: Allows to configure the possibility to join different elements (for
instance = arcs and segments).
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- “Elements of same type”: Allows to configure the possibility to define equal elements (always
keeping the minimum radius and angular tolerance restrictions) or only join segments which are
in the same line or arcs which are in the same circumference.
Once that all the cutting sequences have been defined, the user will be able to define the “Order
mode among cutting sequences”:
-Go from a sequence to another attending to proximity criteria (end of a sequence and the
beginning of the next one)
-Attending to the parallelism between lines and concentricity between circumferences.
-Go from a sequence to another attending to proximity criteria (end of a sequence and the
beginning of the next one) and keeping the same kind of elements together (all the lines first and
all the arcs later).
Remark: The desired postprocessor must be updated to be able to work with this new option.
Re-order machining sequence at part level
On drawing module, the system can optimize the machining process trying to improve speed and
movements. This option will make the automatic machining better when executing it in a part on
drawing module.
Configure execution of fixed cycles
If the machine has special cycles (should be configured on Configure machine - Cutting
parameters - There are special cycles (See page 72)) the system can use them automatically.
See how to configure execution of fixed cycles (See page 171).
Use cut cycles in automatic
When the part which is going to be machined has a big number of holes, the system may take
some calculation time for making the automatic machining. Activating this checkbox will make the
system to use cut cycles for enhancing the process speed. But if the area of the contour is very
big, is no convenient to use macros. The Maximum area for cutting macros in automatic mode
parameter (e.g. 100,00000 m2) allows to limit the maximum size for applying macros:
Use fast cut mode in holes
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With this parameter the user can cut holes following a grid instead one by one (for laser machine
and without piercing). First of all the user has to configure this parameter "Use fast cut mode in
holes".
After enabling this option, the system will display the following parameters to define the
machining order.
Angular tolerance to join elements in the same cutting sequence: With this option the user can
assign the angular tolerance to join the elements in the same cutting sequence.
Minimum radius to keep continuity in arcs: Using this option it is possible that small radius will not
be taken as continuous elements.
Prompt for the from point when machining the part
With this parameter the user can define the FROM point when machining one part. If the
parameter “Prompt for the from point when machining the part” in automatic machining is ON,
then, when machining one part the FROM point will be asked. This parameter is also available for
combinated machines.
Head raising test
Clicking on this button the system will show a configuration dialog where the user can adjust the
head management.
Head raising test: This indicates that the system will have special care with machine head, if
disabled, the automatic machining process will not manage the head movement.
Make the head raising test while saving: When saving the machining, the system will make
several tests for avoid head collisions. This option can be enabled although the first one is not. In
this case, the treatment will be done only when saving, not when doing the automatic machining.
Make head test even with head always up: The system will make the test even if the system has
been configured for making all the rapid movements with the head up.
Maximum hollow & Offset (e.g. 10,000): When moving over a hole, the head may result
damaged. The distance have different values depending on the chosen option:
Maximum hollow: Is the maximum distance inside the hole that the system will allow the head to
pass over
Offset: Is the maximum distance between the hole and the head movement.
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Maximum length with the head down (e.g. 99999,999): This is the maximum trajectory in mm
described by the head when is down.
Maximum number of rapid tracts (e.g. 3): The system will try the given number of tracts to avoid
holes. For understanding what are the tracts, the following figure of the right is a rapid movement
with three tracts, and the left ones is the same with five tracts:
Modify leads in/outs: Selecting one option from here will allow the system to change the situation
of leads in/outs to optimize the head management of the machining process.
By parts: Leads will be repositioned for avoiding cut parts in the rapids movement.
By contours: The objective with this configuration is not encounter any cut hole on the rapid
movements.
In this first example, there are two head up inserted for avoiding cut holes:
No modify lead in/out
In the second example, the leads have been modified and between parts there is not any
movement over cut holes:
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Modify lead-in/out by parts
In the last example, the best lead placement has been obtained: rapid movements are the
shortest, and all the cut holes are evaded:
Modify leads in/out by contours
Retain lead in/outs defined in part: If this parameter is enabled and there are lead-in/lead-out
already assigned to the part, the system will no try to change them.
Apply head up at end of each part: When the machining process of a part has been done, the
system will send an order to the machine for lifting the head.
Head up for common cut elements: The special case of common cut elements is what this option
configures. When a common cut element has been finalized, the head will go up.
More options for configuring the head movements are:
Configure machines - Startup - Execute every rapid with head up (See page 7)
Configure machines - Startup - Apply head up at the beginning of machining (See page 7)
Machining order
Once cutting parameters, remnants settings, compensation mode, type of cycles and
management of heads are configured, is the time to determine the automatic Machining Order.
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Just pushing the Machining order button, all the options will be shown in a new dialog where the
machining order can be determined with different criteria, but it is important to understand some
parameters:
Direction: Depending on the selected starting corner, the machining will go in the selected
direction, going back if cut in zigzag option is enabled. In the following table there are all the
combinations between directions and zigzag for one corner:
By zones: The system will divide the sheet in zones. If this option is enabled, the system needs
the following values:
Number of zones: X (e.g. 5) and Y (e.g. 3) are the number of zones on which the sheet is going to
be divided.
Offset % (e.g. 6,000): The offset is the percent of the nearby zones area that would enter into one
zone. All the parts with geometry inside of the zone will be included on it.
Visualize: This option makes that on nesting module the sheet will appear spitted on zones.
Last side: Enabled, the selected side of the sheet will be the last machined one.
This in an example with the parameters configured like on the figures:
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When machining, the right part will enter into the first zone because there is a geometry inside it.
Minimum heat: This checkbox will be used for by zones and by parts criteria. The system will
distribute the cut zones with the objective of not cut the same area consecutively. All the zones
will be collated like in the figure below, where the numbers are the machining order:
In this way, the cut process resulting heat will be dispersed.
When the machining order was established taking into account the minimum heating, the system
used to divide the sheet into several different zones and then the machining was performed
separately in each zone by jumping from one zone to another being these two different zones
separated by at least one intermediate zone.
Now it is possible for the user to order to machining sequence by parts having into account the
distance between parts. That is to say, the system will perform the machining of one part and
then, the system will jump to another part provided that the distance between these two parts
exceeds a predefined offset.
Start point and direction: Using this option, the system will start the machining from the chosen
point on corner and will follow the selected direction. It works like the by zones criteria, but now
the torch will cut all the parts found in the specified direction instead of the parts that are included
in each zone.
For example, this machining has been done with the upper right start point and vertical direction:
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By size (highest to lowest): In this case, bigger parts will be cut before smaller ones. Following
with the example:
By size (lowest to highest): This is the opposite of the previous option: first the smaller parts, and
then bigger parts:
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Note: That in the size criteria, the selected direction and corner point won't have any action for
the system.
Modify Lead-in/Lead-outs
You can set Lead/Lead-outs for your parts here. This consists of two part they are:
1. General
Modify Lead-in/Lead-out
This is to modify the lead-in/lead-out position. There are four options:

• No modifications
• Smooth tool path
This option allows to move the lead-ins/lead-outs automatically to avoid strong movements
between them. That is to say, if after a lead out there is a rapid, the system will try to smooth this
movement by moving the rapid the more tangent as possible to the lead-out.
The parameters are:
Number of passes: Number of times to execute the optimization algorithm.
Number of test for each contour: Number of points in each contour where the system will try to
put the lead in to avoid the strong movements.
It is allowed to reverse contours: Possibility to invert the contours to place the lead in.
Angular error tolerance: Maximum optimal angle. The most optimum is always = 0.
Machine automatically: Do this option automatically after the machining.

• Place in one touch figures
This option allows to modify the lead in position and prioritize to placed them in notches.
• Place by proximity
Using this parameter the user is allowed to place the lead-in/lead-outs in such a way that the
distance between the lead-out and the next lead-in is reduced to the minimum.
Modify lead-in/lead-out data
Select one of the options here to for modifying lead-in/lead-out data.
- Put the lead-in/lead-out in bisector
- Put the lead-out like the lead-in
- Modify tangent arc lead-in by 2 segments.
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2. Apply a GAP
Apply a gap in lead in/outs.
With this option the user can apply a GAP (Microjoints at the end of the contour) in all the
contours of the part. The system will leave a GAP before ending each contour.
There are two restrictions:
The type of lead in-out:
-Lead in = Segment – Lead out = Segment,
-Lead in = Segment – Lead out = arc.
-Lead in = Arc – Lead out = Segment,
-Lead in = Arc – Lead out = arc.
The angle between the lead in and the contour.
The GAP value can be fix, a percentage of the sheet thickness or an automatic value depending
on the cutter radius (with this option the system allows the user to add an offset in the GAP).
This option is available for cutting and combined machines and it is available in CAD module and
nesting module.
Value (d1):
-Fixed:
-Percentage of sheet thickness:
-Automatic depending on cutter radius:
Offset (d2):
-No:
-Fixed:
-Percentage of cutter radius:
-Percentage of sheet thickness:
Mark sequence
This option is to select the text marking sequence. You can either Mark by parts, Mark when
cutting the parts, Inkjet texts when cutting the parts or Generate cut and other technologies in the
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same subprograms and run a marking Cycle when cutting the parts. The usual marking
sequence is to mark at the beginning and after perform the cutting of all parts.
The option Inkjet texts when cutting the parts allows to modify the marking sequence, allowing to
cut after the inkjet marking of each part. That is, the sequence will be: mark part 1, cut part 1;
mark part 2, cut part 2; so on.
The option Cycle when cutting the parts allows the user to define the marking sequence to be
done in automatic machining. if the parameter is on, the cycles will be done before finishing the
machining of each part.
Generate cut and mark in the same subprograms/Generate cut and other technologies in the
same subprograms: With this option until now, when executing any of these options, the cutting
and marking of a part was not saved into the same into the same subroutine although this was
configured in automatic machining.
But now for the this option, if the system is configured to generate the cutting and marking into
the same subroutine, the system will do so.
And if the part that is going to be copied has the cutting and marking into the same subroutine,
then the part in which the machining is paste will also have the cutting and marking included into
one single subroutine.
Technological incompatibility of torches: When the "Mark when cutting the parts" is enabled then
this option will be highlighted. With this parameter user can define the marking sequence when
there is any technological incompatibility between torches. Technological incompatibility means
that one torch wants to be used for cutting or marking and it can be used for it.
If the user wants to “Mark when cutting the parts” or “Cycles when cutting the parts”, if there is
any technological incompatibility the user will be able to:
- Separate the cut of other technologies. Current method.
- Keep the cut and other technologies together. If for example all the parts of a group can not
be marked together, they will be marked separately but immediately alter all these parts will be
cut.
Advanced
This parameter has three option, they are:
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-Group cycles on leads-in by rows/columns of parts:. Now, instead of executing each entry cycle
before machining the part, or execute all the cycles before machining the parts, it is possible to
group some cycles by rows or by columns
- Generation of labels: This parameter indicates if are going to be generated labels and which
type.
- Orthogonality tolerance: Indicates the maximum tolerance (respecting the X or Y axis), between
two parts to be considered as they are in the same column ort row.
This option can be executed automatically with the automatic machining option Or can be
executed manually after the automatic machining.
1.21.2 Component removal
Allows to assign evacuators to all sheet parts.
The system provides two different configurations for evacuations depending if they are parts or
holes, each options will be shown in two tabs. All the parameters are the same but they will be
applied for parts or for holes depending on which tab the user configured them.
There are four methods for evacuating the parts: by lift, using traps, using micro-joints keeping
them on the sheet or simply stopping the machine for making evacuation manually.
Extract by lift
If the machine has a lift system, it should be used for evacuations. If this option is selected, the
following parameters must be configured clicking on the three points button of the right:
Minimum number of suction cups (e.g. 10): This is the minimum number of suction cups that the
lift should use for extracting the part, if the number of cups is smaller, then it will not be evacuated
by lift.
Minimum Length (e.g. 0,000) & Minimum Width :Those are the minimum length and width that the
part or hole should have for executing an evacuation by the lift system.
Maximum distance to the centre of gravity (e.g. 2500,000) :The system calculates the part's
centre of gravity and the cups will be placed as nearest as possible from this point. The value
given here is the maximum distance allowed from the centre of gravity to the suction cups of the
lift system.
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Prioritize suction cups depending on centre of gravity: The system will enable the suction cups
nearest to the centre of gravity of the part, and then the rest if this parameter is activated. If not,
the system will use the most number of suction cups possible.
By this the user can prioritize the evacuation of a part by:
a. The number of suction cups used to perform the evacuation.
b. Select the best suction cups to get the best gravity center of the part to be
evacuated.
Move suction cups carriage: There are some lift machines whose suction cups can move from the
lifting carriage for getting some parts or holes better.
Tolerance to distance between centers of gravity: With this option the user can define the
minimum distance from the gravity center of the part to the gravity center of the suction cups so
that the evacuation point is considered as valid.
Minimum length and Minimum width: Using this parameters the user can limit the minimum size
(dimensions) of a part to be evacuated by LIFT. Till now, this was only possible for cutting
machines.
Lift has priority: With this option the user can prioritize evacuations by LIFT on evacuations by
TRAP. Until this, it was only possible for the cutting machine.
Extract by lift with retaining tabs: This option allow the user to place a microjoint in parts to be
evacuated by lift. The system will punch the internal contours, will punch the external contour
leaving a microjoint. When the part is going to be evacuated and before the last strike, the system
will punch this microjoint and will finish the part with the last blow before evacuate by lift. This will
increase the stability of the sheet while punching the part, keeping two single and separated
punches up to the end of the machining.
This option has some parameters to decide where and how to place the microjoint and which
will be the punch to be used.
Punch used for the final retaining tab: the punch to be used to destroy the tab will be the same
as the last external punch.
Same angle that the punch used for the final retaining tab: the punch to be used to destroy the
tab will hit with the same angle as the last external punch
Aligned in X or Y with the final punch: Decides if the tab must be placed aligned or not with the
last external punch
Overlap when punching the retaining tab: Only if the punch for the tab is different from the last
external stroke.
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Prioritize suction cups depending on center of gravity
Using this option the user can prioritize the number of suction cups used in the evacuation with
respect to the position of the gravity center of the suction cups.
Till now this could be configured only for cutting machines. In punching, it was assumed that this
option was always active. But now it is configured by (by default it will be active).
See how to configure suction cups carriage movement (See page 172)
Extract by trap
The machine will use the traps for evacuations. This option will no appear if the tramps of the
machine has not been configured on Main elements - Work Centers - Machine - Configure - Work
chutes (See page 18).
The trap number which is going to be used can be selected.
Trap = Automatic: The system will calculate which trap is better to use depending on the
coordinates of the part.
Trap (e.g. Fixed) and Number of tramp (e.g. 2): The user can configure to use always the same
tramp for evacuating the parts. Clicking on the three point buttons of the right will show more
parameters.
Move the sheet to the trap: The machine will move the sheet with the objective of centering the
part on the tramp if this checkbox is enabled.
Move the part after opening the trap: Sometimes the part can't fall into the trap completely. With
this parameter enabled, the machine will make small movements for making the part fall into the
trap after it has been opened.
Fasten the part during the extraction: If this parameter is enabled, then the part to be extracted
will remain fastened during the entire extraction process until the trap opens.
Vacumm and Hammer: If the machine has Vacumm or hammer system, the system will order to
the machine to use them after opening the trap for making the part evacuation effective. Here,
the user should configure which mechanism to use.
% of piece inside the trap (e.g 100,000): The trap will not be open if the part is not placed over it
the percent given here. 100% means that all the part must be over the trap before opening it.
Number of box (e.g. 1):
From each tramp, depending on the opening way, the parts can go to a different box. Here, the
number of box where the parts are going to be evacuated can be configured.
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Put a stop
After every evacuation movement, the machine can be stopped if this option is enabled. Also,
there are some parameters to configure if this option has been selected:
Move the lead in/out & Number of attempts (e.g. 10): The system will try to move the lead in/out
for improving the manual part removal, trying to leave the head in the best position.
The user can choose the place for setting always the lead-in/out, or if choosing "?", it
will calculate the best position for each part the number given on number of attempts (e.g. 10).
Retain lead in/outs defined in part: If the part has lead-in/lead-out assigned previously and this
option is enabled, the system will use them. If this checkbox is disabled, the system will erase
them and look for the best position for making easier the manual part removal.
Lift has priority: Enabled, the system will use always the lift system as evacuation method if
possible.
Minimum radius: If the part or hole to evacuate is smaller than this minimum radius, the system
will not removal it from the sheet.
Micro-joints
The system will automatically apply micro-joints as evacuation method depending on the value
given on the following parameters:
Maximum length without micro-joints (e.g. 100,000): This is the maximum distance allowed to
part contours without micro-joints.
Also, the width of the automatically inserted micro-joints depends on:
The width value of micro-joints depends on thickness & Width value of micro-joints (e.g. 1,000):
If the width of the micro-joint is going to be fix, this parameter should be disabled and the value
which is going to use always is the specified on Width value of micro-joint (e.g. 1,000).
The width value of micro-joints depends on thickness: But if the previous checkbox is enabled,
then there are two values to configure:
Factor of thickness for middle micro-joints (e.g. 1,000) & Factor of thickness for corner micro-
joints (e.g. 1,000):In this case, the system will calculate the width of the micro-joint multiplying
the value given here and the thickness of the sheet.
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The Width of the microjoints which was common for microjoints in external edges and
microjoints in corners has been divided into two. Width value of middle microjoints and Width
value of corner microjoints.
Removal speed (e.g. 1,000 mm./m.)
This parameter allows to configure the lift system's removal speed.
Dwell time
This is the delay time for closing the tramp. Sometimes the tramp closes early and the part can't
go into the box, this value adjusts the time the tramp remains open.
Hammer 2
With this option the user can evacuate by trap. By specifying the X, Y and radius parameters.
Extract by trap parts with micro-joints hitting with the hammer
With this parameter the user is allowed to evacuating by trap parts with geometric microjoints
(defined at part level) by hitting them with a hammer (breaking the microjoints).
Each part to be evacuated will be placed in the middle of the trap. If the hammer hits on a hole or
out of the part, the evacuation will not take place.
The automatic mode will not check if the evacuation hammer are active or not, the system will
only check if they can be used or not.
1.21.3 Automatic Cycles on Lead-in
The machine must support special cycles for using this option. The system will allow to configure
the following parameters if the, there are special cycles checkbox of Utilities - Configure machine
- Cutting parameters (See page 72) section is enabled.
On thick sheets the lead-in may be difficult if doing with the cut head. If the machine supports it,
the system can insert one cycle on each lead-in saving the head to perform this lead-in process
and allowing to start cutting directly.
Cycle type
Depending on the machine type, the system can manage different types of cycle, and clicking on
more button of each one will show all the parameters to configure
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Special pre-cutting cycle:
-%D (L=%D): This is the length of the cycle refer to the lead-in length. In the example, the 50%
means that if the lead-in length is 10 mm, the cycle will be of 5 mm.
-Displacements X and Y: These are the coordinates on which the cycle will be done moving from
the center of the lead-in.
-Dwell time: This is the time the machine will apply to the cycle before and after doing it.
NOTE: Depending on the machine and the postprocessor, the applied cycle may be different that
the configured here. This is because the postprocessor calls to a different cycle type of the
machine.
Special punching cycle:
The system will order to put a punching cycle on each lead-in.
-L, A, r: These are the hole dimensions as shown on the figure.
-Type: This is the punch type which will be used for the cycle: Cut, Press or Shape
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-Station: The cycle will be done using he punch placed on the number of station configured here.
Also, it is important to configure if that station is auto index one or not.
-Dwell time: Before and after the cycle the system will use the seconds given here as dwell.
Simple drill cycle:
This cycle will be applied with the drill of the machine.
-p, c, d: the measures of the drill elements.
-Lead-in and Lead - out: these are the configurations of how the drill is going to work on lead-in
and lead-out.
-Station: Where the drill is placed
-Dwell time: If the machine has to wait time.
Drill cycle with breaking of shaving:
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In this case, the drill has a breaking of shaving feature:
-p1, r: configures the shaving breaking. This is used when at the moment of doing the holes it
appears a long shaving which can be break for making easier the work.
- The rest of parameters are the same as simple drill cycle.
Deep drilling cycle:
When the hole is going to be done deep, the drill should go up occasionally for taking out the
shaving, if this shaving is not taken out the drill could be damaged.
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…Work in automatic mode

Automatically, the system will use cycles on those sheets whose thickness is between the values
specified:
Minimum thickness 8,0000 Maximum thickness 130,0000
In the values given on the example, the cycles will be applied only for these sheets whose
thickness is higher than 8 mm.
By part: Enabled, the machining will be done finishing each part before going to cut other. The
machine will apply the cycle on the part's lead-in, then will cut it and will go to apply the cycle on
the next part.
If disabled, the machine will execute first all the cycles on every lead-in, and then will follow with
the machining.
By multitorch: Enabled, the machining will be done finishing all part before going to cut them. The
machine will apply the cycle on the multitorch's lead-in, then will cut them.
There must exist more then one torch to configure this parameter.
If disabled, the machine will execute first all the cycles on every lead-in, and then will follow with
the machining.
Torch place after cycle
This parameters configures where the cut torch is going to start the work after the cycle has been
done on lead-in. With the first option, the system will place the lead-in in the center of the cycle,
and the second option allows to place it just on the cycle limits.
For example, in the following hole there is one cycle inserted on lead-in:
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Depending on the configuration made on this parameter, the cut head will start cutting from the
blue point:
In the first case, the head will be placed just in the center of the cycle. There is the possibility, in
this case, that the head will no encounter sheet (it has been holed by the cycle), and the height
sensor may have errors. It is normal in this case that the machine worker has to move the head to
the sheet border for making the heat to start cutting.
In the second case, the head will go just to the border of the cycle where there is sheet for
making heat and cut from the beginning.
1.22 Lead-in / Lead-out values
Lead-in/Lead-out values
With this option you can configure a machine’s approach parameters.
The user can assign manually leads for each part, this can be done with the leads toolbar which
appears if choosing the Technology - Lead in-Lead out option of the menu in both drawing and
nesting module.
In the toolbar, there is one option rounded by red line, which will show the values for the
parameters of the leads if the user assigns them manually.
See how to assign lead-in/lead-out manually (See page 159).
Lead-in/Lead-out distances
material between the thickness. All the parameters are related to the length and shape of the
leads:
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The leads can be very different. For this, depending on the leads that will be
used for the part, each parameter have different meaning. For example, the D parameter means
the length of one upright lead (first diagram), but if the lead has some angle, the D distance is the
height from the vertex (second diagram).
You can specify D, A, R, and S distances for lead in and/or lead out.
Lead-in Lead-
out
D 7,000 5,000
A 45,00 45,00
R 7,500 5,500
S 0,500
Circle angles
If the user wants to place the lead manually, sometimes happen that this lead can't be placed in
the exact clicked point. The value of this parameter will help to system to decide where to put it.
The meaning is the angle step the system will use for placing the lead.
For example, with a 90 circles angle value, the lead will be placed in the nearest quadrant point to
clicked one: 0, 90, 180, 270. If the system can't place on nearest position, will try on next 90
degree point.
For a value of 30, the system is going to try to put the lead on every 30 degrees from the clicked
point: 0, 30, 60, 90, 120.
Cut the contour
The system will machine the contour just after the lead is placed if this checkbox is enabled.
Note: The user can assign leads for each part manually, this can be done choosing the Nesting
module -> Technology -> Lead in-Lead out option. See how to assign lead-in/lead-out
manually.(See page 159)
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1.23 Automatic Lead-in / Lead-out values
If the user selects to assign the leads automatically, some parameters must be configured.
The system will try to insert lead-in/lead-out:
1. To use snap in order to place the lead in or lead out. With this the user will be able to
dynamically drag lead in with the mouse. To define the lead in, the user should define a
line (2 points option) crossing the contour where the lead in is going to be placed. There
are two different ways to define this lead in: Automatic, which take the values from the
automatic lead in option, and Manual where the user has to define the type for the lead in.
There is an orthogonal selection mode (F2), which allows moving the lead only in
horizontal or vertical to the coordinate system.
24). In these dialogues, the user can choose if it will insert lead-in/lead-out automatically
3. In both drawing and nesting modules, the user can select Technology -> Lead-in/Lead-
outs -> Automatic option to execute automatic lead-in/lead-out assignation or by using the
automatic toolbar button.
There is also a way to modify the placed lead-in/lead-out (See page 159)
The position of the lead, the type of leads to use depending on the different contours, and all the
distances must be configured.
lead-in/lead-out when using the automatic assignation. With this checkbox enabled, the window
will show twelve tabs which are related to each of the twelve available cutting qualities:
NOTE: From Material-thickness dependent data - Automatic Lead-in/Lead-out, the cutting

qualities checkbox is not enabled. If the user wants to configure them depending on material-
thickness, first the Management by qualities checkbox must be enabled on Configure Machine -
Cutting machine - Automatic Lead-in/Lead-out.
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Zone
When using automatic leads, the user can choose the place where the system will try first for
placing the lead. It is possible to select different position for exterior contours of parts and for
holes. If the selected zone is the one marked with "?", the system will decide which leads position
is the best for cutting the part in the best conditions.
There are different kind of contours which system can distinguish. In the following table, there are
two examples for each contour type. All the geometries on red color are those on which the
selected lead-in/out type will be applied:
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The system will try to insert the lead type chosen on the first number, if this is not possible,
will try with second and last with third type. This is a way of configure different leads for irregular
exteriors and let system place the best one in each case.
Modify button
For each contour type, one lead-in/lead-out type can be assigned. The first type will not assign
any lead-in/lead-out to the contour:
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There are some values to be specified that define each lead-in/lead-out dimensions.
This is the minimum length in which one lead can be placed. For example, if the system has been
configured for placing lead-in on the upper-right corner and in that corner there is a chamfer of
1mm, if the minimum length allowed is 5, the system tests the minimum length and doesn't place
it, it will find a better segment of the contour for getting bigger length for placing the lead.
Minimum Radius (e.g. 5,000)
The meaning is the same as the previous parameter, is for security on placing leads on big
enough segments. In this case, the system will look for the radius and if is not bigger than this
value will look for another segment.
If the lead is for a corner, if the two segments constitute an angle bigger than this value, the
system will not place the lead and will try with different type of lead.
Minimum angle (e.g. 45,000)
When the lead is for an interior contour, the system will test the angle between these
segments and if is smaller than the value given here, will not place it.
The same as previous one, if the angle of the interior contour's segments is bigger that the
value of this parameter, the system will not place the lead.
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Overlapping test
The lead-in/lead-out is placed out of the contours. Because of this, that new geometries can
collide with other geometries on the sheet: parts, other leads... the system provides three different
ways for testing if there is overlapping or not.
Shorten (e.g. % Shortening:- 0,100) : The lead-in/lead-out geometry will be shorten trying to avoid
the overlapping. The value is the maximum shortening allowed.
Change position (e.g. Number of attempts:- 10): The lead-in/lead-out will be placed in other
position, and system will try as different positions as the number given on Number of attempts.
Change position and shorten (e.g. % shortening:- 0,100 & Number of attempts:- 10): This
solution is a combination of the previous. The system will try on each position to short the lead-
in/lead-out geometries and if this not solved the overlapping, will change the position.
Change quality (e.g. New quality:-2 & % piercing radius:-100,000): In this case, system will try
changing the cutting quality of the lead-in/lead-out. With this, the configuration for lead-in/lead-out
will change getting the values configured of the new cutting quality.
Also, the piercing radius can be lower when there are overlappings.
Change position and quality (e.g. Number of attempts:- 10): On each position, the system is going
to try to change the cutting quality of the lead-in/lead-out, and if not, change position as many
times as specified attempts.
Change position, quality and shorten : For each position, the system will try changing the cutting
quality, and shorten the lead-in/lead-out on each position, and if the problem persists, change
position as many times as the value given.
Change quality and shorten (e.g. %Shortening:- 0,100): First, the quality will be changed and if
still there are overlappings, the lead-in/lead-out geometries will be shorten.
Copy button
Because there are 12 possible cutting qualities, the same parameters must be configured many
times. To make the data entry easier, system provides this button which permits to copy the
automatic lead-in/lead-out configuration from existing cutting quality values.
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1.24 Micro joint values
This option permits the configuration of default micro-joint values.
The user can assign micro-joint for each part manually using Drawing / Nesting module ->
Technology -> Microjoints -> Configure option.
See how to assign micro-joints manually (See page 162)
With the red color rounded icon, the user can access to this micro-joints parameters
configuration:
Lead-in/Lead-out values (A, D, S, &Radius)
Specify A, D, S, and Radius values here for lead-in and lead-out.
Depending on the given radius value on lead-in and lead-out, the system will place the micro-joint
using these radiuses:
Circles angle
When the micro-joint is assigned manually, the system will try to put it in the exact clicked point,
but this is not always possible.
With this parameter, the system will decide where to put it. The value meaning is the angle step
the system will use for placing the micro-joint in relation to clicked point.
For example, with a 90 circles angle value, the micro-joint will be placed in the nearest quadrant
point to clicked one: 0, 90, 180, 270. If the system can't place on nearest position, will try on next
90 degree point.
For a value of 30, the system is going to try to put the micro-joint on every 30 degrees from the
clicked point: 0, 30, 60, 90, 120.
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1.25 Automatic micro joint values
If the user selects to assign the micro-joints automatically, some parameters must be configured.
The system will try to insert micro-joints automatically if the user uses the Nesting module -
>Technology -> Micro-joints -> Automatic option or the automatic button from the Micro-joint
toolbar (See page 176) on the nesting module.
micro-joint when using the automatic assignation. With this checkbox enabled, the window will
show twelve tabs which are related to each of the twelve available cutting qualities.
Micro-joint types
These are all the micro-joints the system supports automatically. For each one, there are some
parameters to configure as shown on the graphs. Enter D, A, S, and Radius parameters for lead-
ins and lead-outs.
Circles angle
This value is used for system to test positions for placing micro-joints. The meaning is the angle
step the system will use for placing the micro-joints near the clicked point. For example, if the
Distance between micro-joints (e.g. 100,000)
This is the minimum distance, the system will not allow to place one micro-joint at a distance
lower than this value.
Minimum number of micro-joints for each contour and Maximum number of micro-joints for each
contour
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Using this option, if the contour has a very big perimeter and the maximum number of micro-joints
has been added, the system will distribute the microjoints halfway (without taking care to the
minimum separation).
If the contour is small and the microjoints are too close, the system will redefine them and will
locate them halfway on the contour (f.i. on a contour with a perimeter=1.200mm and minimum
distance between microjoints=1.000mm). These parameter may affect to machine general
configuration and material-thickness dependent data.
Copy button
Because there are 12 possible cutting qualities, the same parameter must be configured many
times. For making the data entry easier, Expert provides this button which permit to copy the
automatic micro-joint configuration from existing cutting quality values.
1.26 Loop values
This option allows the user to configure the parameters of the Loop values section in a machine.
The loops are used for improving the corner's quality of the parts.
The system will try to use loops for corners:
24). In these dialogues, the user can choose if the system will insert loops automatically
2. In the drawing module, the user can get the Loops toolbar, and execute automatic loops
assignation using the automatic button:
See how to assign loops manually (See page 163).
The system allows to use two looping techniques.
The r parameter has different meaning depending on the loop type.
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Automatic Loops
For automatic machining, the loops can be applied:
Only in element of chamfers : In automatic mode, the loops will be applied only to the chamfers of
the contours.
Only in angles : The automatic loops will be applied just to angles.
In chamfers or in angles : The automatic machining will apply loops in chamfers and angles.
Round angles
With this feature, the machine will use soft movement without hard trajectory changes on corners.
The result is better part machining. Depending on the degrees, the angle will be rounded using
the R value.
There are four different kinds of contours where to apply the angle round, if none of them are
chosen the settings will not have effect.
Radii button
Clicking this button takes you to another dialog, where you can assign round angles to various
cutting qualities.
For the angle round process the system will look for these segments whose angle is not bigger
than the value given here (for the two options on the right side).
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1.27 Chamfer values
This option allows the user to configure the parameters of the Chamfer values of the machines.
For making chamfers, the machine must have a rotation head which allows to cut in different
angles.
There are two values for every parameter, one on the left and the other at right side of >>>>. This
is for variable chamfers, the user can configure with what distance and angle the chamfer will
start and at what distance and angle will finish.
There are three different kinds of chamfers that can be done depending on the parameters.
Higher chamfer: It will be done on the upper side of the sheet. For this chamfers, only the ds and
as parameter will be used, the rest value must be 0. If ds and as have the same values on the left
and on the right side, the chamfer is fixed, not variable.
Lower chamfer: For this kind of chamfer, the parameters to fill are di and ai. The left and right
values must be equal for fix chamfers, or different for variable chamfers.
Double chamfer: The machine must have three heads: one for vertical cut, one for higher chamfer
and the third for lower chamfer. In this case all the values must be filled, and for variable
chamfers the values must be different from left to right side.
The chamfers must be assigned manually to each part using one of the four kind of chamfers on
the Chamfers toolbar.
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Once a type is selected, the system prompts to choose the contour to apply the chamfer:
The system changes the color of the contours on which the chamfer has been applied. This color
can be configured from main module: Utilities -> Configure -> Draw and Nest -> Colors -> Micro-
joints.
1.28 Bridge values
With this option you can configure a machine’s bridge values parameters. These options will be
applied automatically using the Technology -> Bridges Toolbar -> Automatic ( ) option.
See how to apply bridge manually from the nesting module (See page 164).
The bridges are used to join various contours cut with less piercings. For example:
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In this example, two bridges are placed. The first one, between the superior part and the middle
one, the part is cut completely. But in the second bridge, the parts remain joined by the bridge.
a distance (e.g. 5,000)
This is the length of the bridge between parts.
Maximum length (e.g. 25,000)
This value is the maximum distance allowed for creating one bridge between contours
Maximum Number
This value is the limit on maximum number of bridges you can have at a time. The default value is
zero, this means there is no limit.
Part area
With this option it is possible for the user to define the Minimum and Maximum area of parts to be
bridge automatically.
On corners
The bridges will be applied on part's corners. In the example, there are bridges on corners that
allows to make all the machining without raising the head.
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1.29 Post processor

1.29.1 General
1.29.2 Block numbering
1.29.3 Free tape
1.29.4 Specifics of cut (Only cutting machines)
1.29.5 Reserved
1.29.1 General
Machine tolerance (e.g. 0,00500)
This is the precision of decimal numbers which the machine supports. It is important to configure
this parameter properly because if the system is sending coordinates with different precision, the
machine may not work correctly.
Directory of CNC files (e.g.path=c:\LANTEK\Expert\CNC\...)
All the CNC code files will be stored in the directory configured here.
Extension of CNC files (e.g. .dat)
This file will display extension of CNC parameters, here the extension of the file can be
configured in the final CNC operation.
Postprocessor configuration file (e.g.PSTBUR01.PS1)
This is the name of the specific postprocessor file. Manipulate this file will result in CNC code
generation way changes. Also the user can edit the PS parameters of the Postprocessor
configuration file.
Tables of technology file (e.g.PSTBUR01.TT1)
This is the name where the technological tables values will be stored. The user can edit PS
parameters of this file.
Time calculation file (e.g. PSTBUR01.TM1)
This file will contain time calculation parameters, here the name of the file can be configured. Also
the user can edit the PS parameters of the time calculation file.
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Cost calculation file (e.g.PSTBUR01.CS1)
The cost calculation parameters will be stored in this file, here the name can be set up. The user
can edit PS parameters of the file.
Improvement in postprocessor general window to visualize (edit is not available) all the
files related with the machine:
a) Main configuration file.
b) Machine configuration file.
c) Material-thickness file. (it is the same file as technology table file but can be located in a
different path. If the path is coincident, this will be enabled)
d) Postprocessor data file.
e) Communications configuration file.
f) Stacker configuration file.
1.29.2 Block numbering
Block number text (e.g. N)
Each CNC block will start with the character given here. Then, the number of block can be
configured with the following parameters:
Number of characters allowed for block number (e.g.5)
This is the digits which the block number will have. For example, if the text of block number is N:
N00001..
N00002..
N00003..
...
Strip leading zero's
Enabling this checkbox will delete the zeros of the CNC block numeration. Following with the
previous example:
N1..
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N2..
N3..
...
First block number (e.g. 2)
The number of the first block can be set up here. In the example, the first number will be the 2.
Step between block numbers (e.g. 1)
The line for each block of the CNC code will start with the text of of block numbers and the first
block number for the first block, and the rest of lines will increase the number the value given
here on this parameter.
Looking the configuration of all the parameters of this window:
N2..
N3..
N4..
...
1.29.3 Free tape
Note: These options are only for machines whose communication method is with free tapes.
Number of null characters at beginning
Indicates the number of null characters at the beginning of the file for synchronization.
Number of null characters at end
This is the number of null characters at the end of the CNC code which will be output from
system.
ASCII code of null character (e.g. 48)
The ASCII code of the character will be used as null ones.
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1.29.4 Specific of cut (only cutting machine)
Default technology
This is the technology which will be applied to the geometry since it has been generated.
There are two types:
1. Cut (Normally the default value is cut)
2. Mark
Dot cycle by default
The postprocessor is going to apply this default dot cycle if there is not any specific cycle applied
from the Machining - Cycles option of the menu.
And for all the dots drawn on the drawing module, the system will introduce the cycle type chosen
here: Dryll cycle or Cut on and off.
Technological index by default
Also, depending on the default technology chosen by default, the index given here will be applied
to the geometry from the moment it has been generated. Clicking on the three points button will
show a dialogue with all the cutting qualities.
Circles in one movement only
Some Numeric Control needs just one specific instruction for generating one circle. Normally, the
system divides the circle into two arcs which executes two instructions. For making these
Numeric Controls works properly, this option may be enabled.
Modify the center of the circles
When the tolerance of the machine is small, the system changes the center of the circles for
making that points recognizable for the machine.
Arcs in one movement only
When there is any micro-joint inserted in a circle, the resultant arc is below 360 degrees and,
normally, is divided into two arcs. With this checkbox enabled, the system will generate this arc in
just one instruction.
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Type of leading in circles
No: the postprocessor is going to use the configuration made in automatic lead-in/out on circles.
Linear: independent of the configuration made in automatic lead-in/out on circles, the CNC code
will be generated placing a lineal lead-in whose length will be specified on the Length of leading
in circles parameter (e.g.. 0,000) .
Circular: as the previous one, the postprocessor will not look the configuration made on the
system, and it is going to place a circular lead-in on circles whose length will be taken from the
Length of leading in circles parameter.
Linear tolerance (e.g. 0,01000)
This value is the linear tolerance for calculations of the system. It should be the same as the
value configured on Utilities - Configure machines - General - Linear tolerance (See page 1).
Angular tolerance (e.g. 0,100)
The system will use this angular tolerance value for calculations. It should be the same as the
value given on Utilities - Configure machines - General - Angular tolerance (See page 1).
Minimum length of arc
If there are arc geometries smaller than the machine tolerance, the system will decompose them
into one or more segments whose length will be the configured at Length of broken segments
parameter (e.g. 0,000).
This option will prevent the situation where the lead-in and lead-out coordinates are the same. If
this option is not used, the system will introduce a circle instead of an arc.
Process micro-joints like micro-weldings
This option can be only used for those machines which support micro-weldings technology. If is
enabled, the system will order the machine to use micro-welding instead of micro-joint
instructions.
Center the multitorch
When the machine is multitorch, there is one which is the Control Torch (See page 176).. All the
torches will follow the control torch movement. If this control torch is not placed on corners, the
system must know which torch will be the control torch. Enabling this parameter, if the number of
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torches is odd, the system will take the torch of the center. If the number of torches is par, it will
take the most centered one nearest to the position of the control torch (Up/Down or Left/Right).
1.29.5 Reserved
WARNING!
Do not modify these parameters without consulting a skilled technician, they are internal
parameters and may cause machine damage if they are changed without knowledge.
1.30 Tables of technology
With all the information recovered on the Nesting - Machining process, the system generates a
CNC program. There are some parameters related to machining which can be configured and
assigned to the different contours of the parts. All of these kind of parameters which have effect
only for CNC program are grouped into cutting qualities. Depending on the cutting quality, each
contour will be cut with different settings.
By default, all the contours have a cutting quality assigned. The number of default cutting quality
can be changed on Utilities - Configure Machines - Postprocessor - Specifics of cut -
Technological index by default (See page 138).
All the values will be stored in a Technological Tables file which should be configured on Utilities -
Configure - Machine - Postprocessor - General (See page 135). .
The Tables of Technology are structured in different parameters categories which depends on the
configuration made on the filter parameters:
The filter parameters may be different depending on the postprocessor configuration, and the
parameters contained into the categories are different for each postprocessor.
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The system will test if the contours have assigned any cutting quality, if so, it will go to this table
and depending on the material, thickness, lens, gas and power which is currently used in the
machining order, will apply the values configured in the different categories.
There are two ways for assigning a cutting quality to a contour:
1. Using the automatic technology option of material/thickness dependent data configuration

window (See page 57).
2. Using the Technology -> Cut Technology -> Cut ( ) option in the drawing module and
selecting the desired cutting quality
Quality ID: With this option it is possible for user to give a name for each one of the 12 cutting
qualities. In this cutting qualities windows (edit/selection and simulation), the names and colors
assigned by configuration will be displayed.
New button
Clicking on this button will create a new entry on the filter parameters.
Material RST37-2
Thickness 1 5,0000 Thickness 2 6,0000
Focal distance of the lens 0,000
Reference gas Nitrogen
Nominal power of machine 0,000w.
Leaving zero values or < > on the dialogs means that any of the existing values will be used.
When doing manual cutting qualities assignation, the system has information about the sheet
material and the thickness. From here, it is easy to determine the configuration for that sheet or,
at least, configure the cutting qualities for all the sheets between the thickness we are working
with. If not, the cutting qualities can't be set up.
A general filter to use can be:
Material < >

Focal distance of the lens 0,000
Reference gas < >
Nominal power of machine 0,000w.
Knowing the reference gas, the focal distance of the lens and the nominal power of the machine
of the current order is important for making the cutting qualities filters work properly. This can be
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checked on Utilities - Configure - Machines - Cutting parameters - Laser parameters (See page
166).
Note: If there are filter parameters which works with different focal distance of the lens, reference
gas or nominal power of the machine, the user must take care with the configuration made on
Utilities - Configure - Machines - Cutting parameters - Laser parameters, because if the
configuration made there is fix, it will only works if there is a related entry on the technological
tables.
Once the filter parameters are set, the user should configure the parameter of each category.
General
Piercing
Cut mark
Drill mark
Cut
Lead in/out
There are many parameters on each option that can be changed. All these parameters and their
values composes the Tables of Technology. Internally, the tables of technology are pairs of
parameters-values that are stored in the Technological Tables File (.tt file), and will be read by
the postprocessor to make the proper CNC program.
With these parameters for technological tables of plasma and Oxicut machines. There are 30 new
general parameters for plasma and Oxicut machines.
These parameters are divided in two different groups:
1.Generals
2. Mark.
Each one of these two groups will have 5 real parameters, 5 integer parameters and 5 text
parameters. All these parameters will be definable by the user and he will be able to add a text,
measure unit and make them visible or not visible.
They are located in the CF files of plasma and Oxicut machines:
GENERALS: (Real: 201 – 205; Integer: 206 – 210; Text: 211 – 215).
MARK: (Real: 301 – 305; Integer: 306 – 310; Text: 311 – 315).
If all the parameters of any of the groups are OFF, the option will not be displayed in the
technological tables configuration screen.
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Depending on the category, there are distinctions between cutting qualities. For knowing exactly
which values will be used for each contour, the user must know:
1. The material and thickness on which the part is going to be cut.
2. Depending on the postprocessor configuration, the focal distance of the lens, the reference
gas and the nominal power of the machine. With these values, the system goes to the
correct row on the table.
3. Values the system should get the cutting quality assigned to the contour.
The system has a very powerful feature for working automatically with cutting qualities. After all
the values has been configured for the parameters of the technological tables, then it is
recommended to use the automatic technology option of the material/thickness dependent data
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(See page 57). configuring the automatic assignation to the contours depending on the size. The
result is that system will assign the cutting qualities to each contour automatically depending on
the material/thickness and size of the contour, and then it will use the correct parameters
configured on the technological tables which corresponds to that material, thickness and cutting
quality.
Modify button
This button allows to change the filter parameters of the current technological table row.
Delete button
If this button is pressed, the current row and all the given values for the parameters will be
deleted.
Copy button
The current row will be duplicated allowing to make the configuration faster.
Import button
With this button, the system provides the possibility of importing a previous backup of the
technological tables configuration.
Criteria button
Clicking on this button will make the system to show a window where the user can choose which
rows will be shown on the screen for making the finding process faster and easier.
Material < >

Note: The rows which not appear after using this option are not deleted, just hidden.. For showing
them again, the find criteria should be changed properly taking into account that <> means "any".
Note: The rows which not appear after using this option are not deleted, just hidden.. For showing
them again, the find criteria should be changed properly taking into account that <> means "any".
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1.31 Time calculation
Expert will make a time estimation of the Manufacturing process making calculations for each
order. For this, the user should introduce the different times the machine takes to perform any
different mechanical movement:
1.31.1 Cutting parameters
1.31.2 Reposition / Extracts
1.31.3 Accelerations
1.31.4 Linear cut Accelerations
1.31.5 Circular cut Accelerations
1.31.6 Postprocessor words
1.31.7 Upload/download sheets
The user can see the results of time and cost estimation after making the machining process in
the nesting module using the Utilities -> Time and cost... option.
1.31.1 Cutting parameters
In this section, there are listed the different times the machine takes to make the main cut
movements:
General:
Machine set up time
With this parameter the user can configure in different places depending on the type of machine
Piercing time
This is the time the machine takes to perform a piercing. There are three possibilities:
Fixed (e.g. 1,000 s.): Expert will add 1 second each time the machine executed a piercing.
By thickness (e.g. 0,500 s.): The system will add 0.5 seconds for each mm of the thickness. For
example: with a 12mm sheet, each piercing will take 6 seconds.
Tables of Technology: The value will be get from the Tables of Technology.
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Piercing time percentage for pre-cut or pre-punched points
Using this parameter the user is allowed to define the piercing time, when the piercing point is
pre-cut or pre-punched, in relation with the regular piercing time.
Cut and Mark speed
These are the speeds for making time calculations.
Active: Active means that Expert will make the time estimation with the current active speed. This
speed will be taken from Material/thickness dependent data - cutting parameters (See page 72)
or if there is not any match configuration, from Startup - Feed rates (See page 7), both options
can be shown from the machine configuration.
Tables of Technology: The speed will be taken from the Tables of Technology. (See page 140).
Cancellation time (e.g. 0,500 s.)
This is the time the machine takes to stop everything after the machining process.
Technology changes:
Times of technology changes
These are the times the machine takes for changing the current technology. For example, from
the stop position to start cutting, or from cutting to marking, etc. Normally, they are very short time
durations.
From To Nothing Drill Mark Cut

Nothing 0,500 0,500 0,300
Drill Cycle 0,500 0.700 0,700
Mark 0,500 0.700 0,700
Cut 0,500 0,700 0,700
In the example table, from the stop position to start cutting it takes 0.3 seconds, or from marking
to cutting 0.7 seconds.
Quality change:
Time of quality change
When using different cutting qualities, the time for changing between each one should be set
pressing this button and filling in rows in the table.
Film burning
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This option is being used while calculating time and cost of a part and a nesting. the parameters
are:
- Film burning time on leads-in.
- Film burning speed in open contours.
Multitorch:
Torches change time: “Torches change time” is being used while calculating time and cost of a
part and a nesting. This value can be fixed or dependent of the number of changes.
1.31.2 Reposition / Extracts
Reposition and components removal time should be filled in this form.
Reposition
In this section, the time the machine takes for performing a reposition can be specified. It has
been divided into three sections: head, pistons and auxiliar time:
Head - Down time (e.g. 1,000 s.) and up time (e.g. 1,000 s.): These are the times to lower and
raise the head when doing a reposition.
Pistons - Down time (e.g. 2,000 s.) and up time (e.g. 2,000 s.): The time the pistons takes for
making down and up movements.
Auxilar time (e.g. 1,000 s.): The auxiliar time will be add to reposition estimation time, it depends
on the way each machine perform the repositions.
Component Removal
This second section refers to the time the evacuation system will take for getting a component
from the sheet.
Exact time by suction cups (e.g. 2,000 s.): When using a lift system, this is the time the suction
cups takes to get the component from the sheet.
Exact time with traps: The time the evacuation by trap will take can be set up depending on the
trap and the movement it makes.
For example:
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Dwell time Opening Close
Trap 1 0,200 0,300 0,200

Trap 2 0,400 0,400 0,500
1.31.3 Accelerations
In this window, the user configures the speeds and accelerations of the machine:
1.31.4 Linear cut accelerations
In this window, the user configures the speeds, accelerations and deceleration of the machine:
Accelerations/decelerations of cutting movements. Now, the calculation of the cutting and

combined machines timings can consider the acceleration and deceleration timings of the cutting
movements. For that the user need to configure the linear and circular accelerations in the
timings calculation configuration. This configuration would be done like the rapids accelerations.
If circular accelerations are not defined but linear are defined, the system will take the linear
accelerations value for the circular ones.
In the linear accelerations section it is also possible to define the maximum speed that the
machine can cut in a corner of 90 degrees. This value is used by the system to calculate how
much the speed needs to be reduced depending on the angle between two elements. If we give
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a very high (99.999) the system does not do any speed reduction and if we give a small value (0)
in all the corners independently of the angle, it will reduce the speed to zero. Only it necessary to
configure the maximum speed in a 90 degrees angle, for the rest of the angles the systems will
calculate the maximum speed depending on the angle, this is, in an angle corner lesser than 90,
it will reduce the speed more, and in an angle corner greater than 90 degrees it will reduce the
speed less.
The maximum speed at 90 degrees can be configured in the technology tables depending on the
material/thickness/quality. For this we have to activate the maximum speed by technology tables
and configure these values in the corresponding technologic file (*.TT*).
For oxi cut machines: Parameters B142, B192, B242, B292, B342, B392, B442, B492, B542,
B592, B642, B692
For Plasma machines: Parameters B143, B193, B243, B293, B343, B393, B443, B493,
B543, B593, B643, B693
For high definition plasma machines: Parameters B144, B194, B244, B294, B344, B394,
B444, B494, B544, B594, B644, B694
For laser machines: Parameters D036, D086, D136, D186, D236, D286, D336, D386, D436,
D486, D536, D586
For water machines: Parameters B327, B377, B427, B477, B527
1.31.5 Circular cut accelerations
In this window, the user configures the speeds, accelerations and deceleration of the machine:
Accelerations/decelerations of cutting movements. Now, the calculation of the cutting and

combined machines timings can consider the acceleration and deceleration timings of the cutting
movements. For that the user need to configure the linear and circular accelerations in the
timings calculation configuration. This configuration would be done like the rapids accelerations. If
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circular accelerations are not defined but linear are defined, the system will take the linear
accelerations value for the circular ones.
In the linear accelerations section it is also possible to define the maximum speed that the
machine can cut in a corner of 90 degrees. This value is used by the system to calculate how
much the speed needs to be reduced depending on the angle between two elements. If we give a
very high (99.999) the system does not do any speed reduction and if we give a small value (0) in
all the corners independently of the angle, it will reduce the speed to zero. Only it necessary to
configure the maximum speed in a 90 degrees angle, for the rest of the angles the systems will
calculate the maximum speed depending on the angle, this is, in an angle corner lesser than 90,
it will reduce the speed more, and in an angle corner greater than 90 degrees it will reduce the
speed less.
The maximum speed at 90 degrees can be configured in the technology tables depending on the
material/thickness/quality. For this we have to activate the maximum speed by technology tables
and configure these values in the corresponding technologic file (*.TT*).
For oxi cut machines: Parameters B142, B192, B242, B292, B342, B392, B442, B492, B542,
B592, B642, B692
For Plasma machines: Parameters B143, B193, B243, B293, B343, B393, B443, B493,
B543, B593, B643, B693
For high definition plasma machines: Parameters B144, B194, B244, B294, B344, B394,
B444, B494, B544, B594, B644, B694
For laser machines: Parameters D036, D086, D136, D186, D236, D286, D336, D386, D436,
D486, D536, D586
For water machines: Parameters B327, B377, B427, B477, B527
1.31.6 Postprocessor words
This window allows to set up the time Expert will add to estimation when one of these
postprocessor words is going to be executed. They are divided into sections:
Stops - > Optional stop time (e.g. 2,000 s) - Unconditional stop time (e.g. 5,000 s)
Time to make both types of stops.
Refrigeration - > Activation time (e.g.. 2,000 s) - Cancellation time (e.g.. 0,500 s)
Long the refrigeration system of the machine takes to work.
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Head - > Up time (e.g. 0,500 s) - Down time (e.g. 0,800 s)
When a Head-Up or Head-Down word is found in the CNC code, Expert will use those times.
Sheet clamps - > Blocking time (e.g. 1,000 s) - Up time (e.g. 1,000 s) - Down time (e.g. 1,000
s)
The time the clamps take to block, go up and make down movement.
Cancellation time (OUT) (e.g.. 1,000 s) - Cancellation time (OFF) (e.g. 1,000 s)
The Clamps operation cancellation times.
Opening time (e.g. 1,000 s) - Closing time (e.g. 1,000 s)
The Clamps opening and closing times.
1.31.7 Upload / Download sheets
Expert will take the values given here as the times it takes to upload and download the sheet:
Upload
Times for uploading a sheet
Manual upload time 15,000 s Automatic upload time 12,000 s
Depending on the uploading method, the different time they take.
Clamp test time 5,000s Auxiliar time 0,000s
The time for clamp testing, and an auxiliar time which should be filled if there is other movement
which has not been specified here.
Pallet change time: This option is used for time calculation for the uploading a sheet
Download
Times for downloading a sheet
Manual upload time 15,000 s Automatic upload time 12,000 s
The time depending if the sheet is downloaded manually or with an automatic system.
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Auxiliar time 0,000s
This time will be add every-time there is a download sheet operation. It can be configured for any
movement which has not been specified here.
Pallet reset time: This option is used for resetting the time for downloading a sheet.
1.32 Cost calculation
Expert will perform a sheet or a job cost calculation if the values given here are configured
properly. They will give a different cost to each different entity which is part of the sheet/job
machining.
The user can see the results of time and cost estimation after making the machining process in
the nesting module using the Utilities -> Time and cost... option of the menu.
Area
Different options to configure the part area to be used in cost calculation:
Rectangle area: Minimum boundary box of the part.
External area: External area of the part with internal holes.
Real area: External area of the part without internal holes.
The selected type of area will be used to calculate the necessary material used to produce the
part.
New
Fill in the table with the material type and thickness to create new record. Then, using the
Configuration button the different parameters for making the cost calculation will appear.
Material ST-37
Thickness1 0,0000 Thickness2 2,0000
Modify
When a configuration has been made for a material between the specified thickness it remains
stored in the database for future uses. With this option, the user can change the material, the
thickness or both of them but the configuration of the assigned parameters will be kept.
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Copy
This option is very useful when the configuration of different materials and/or thickness are
similar. Using it, the user can copy all the cost configuration parameters into new
material/thickness assignation
Configuration
With this option the user can access to the table where the cost parameters for all the machining
operations can be set up.
There are four parameters which will determine how the calculation will be made. The way of
doing it is using the new button:
Operation (e.g. Piercing): The operation selected here will be included into the cost calculation
each time the machining executes it. The different operations will be different depending on the
machine type.
The way the system will use for making this calculations depends on the next three parameters:
Mode (e.g. By thickness): The mode determines how the cost given in the value parameter (e.g.
0,30) will be added into the calculation.
Depending on the operation, the system will show the different modes.
Fixed: The value will be added each time the operation is executed in the machining process.
By thickness: The value x mm of current sheet's thickness will be added. This option is for
piercing operation.
By time: The calculation consists in the value x second that the operation continues.
By flow: For each millimeter of perforation the machine will spend the value volume of the
chosen consumable. The price of the volume unit of consumable should be defined in the main
menu.
By perimeter: The value x mm of cutting distance.
By area: Resulting cost is the value x m2 of cut area.
Consumable (e.g. Reference gas): The consumables can be defined together with the price of
volume unit in the Main elements -Raw Materials option of the system.
Value (e.g. 0,03): This parameter will increase the total expense of the machining process
depending on the calculation mode.
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For example, with this configuration:
Operation Piercing
Mode By thickness
Consumable Nitrogen
Value 0,03
With each millimeter of piercing, the machine will spend 0,03 l of nitrogen. The price of the litre of
nitrogen should bedefinedin Main elements - Raw Materials. The total cost of piercings will be:
0,03 x Price of litre x numbers of piercing in the machining x millimeters perforated
With this other example:
Operation Cut
Mode By time
Consumable Oxygen
Value 0,02
For each second of cut the system will add a 0,02 waste of oxygen. The price of the litre of
oxygen should be defined in Main elements - Raw Materials. The total cost of the cutting
operation will be calculated in this way:
0,02 x Price of litre of oxygen x seconds cutting
Criteria
The list of material and thickness can be filtered using this button. The system will show only the
range configured in this window. The "< >" character means any material.
1.33 Annex A: Show on sheet the machining modifications

made on parts
This example teaches how this option works. Let's start from one sheet with one part which is
placed four times on the sheet and is machined properly:
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Now we are going to modify the part because it is not completed:
Right-click on the part in the Parts List and choose Open. Edit the part and draw one more hole.
Then, mechanize it:
Machining -> Automatic contours
When going back to the Nesting Module, depending on the value of the parameter Show on the
sheet the machining modifications made on parts two things may happen:
Enabled:
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The sheet maintains the previous machining but the modifications made on the drawing module
are added. There is no need of making all the machining again.
Disabled:
The systems detect changes in the part but the parameter is disabled. All the previous machining
has been deleted and must be done from the beginning.
1.33 Annex B : Ink-Jet
This window will configure how the identifier of the parts will be marked into the part.
Automatic
The system will introduce the Ink-jet text introduced here on every part of the sheet.
Punch (e.g. RE-10x5)
This is the tool which is going to be used for delimit the texts. These limits are not going to be
punched, it is just for delimit them in the nesting.
Text (e.g. P #1 #2)
The text given here will be marked into the part. Using the "#" symbol followed by a number will
make the system to insert the identifier. Depending on the number: #0: Part reference, #1:
Customer, #2: Order number, #3:Plan number. And the "\" character will finish the line and insert
a new one.
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All of them are prompted when the part has been introduced into the system in the part
properties, for example, from the CAM module -> Properties -> Part parameters.
Reference:- DXFPARTO (Disabled)

Machine:- Lantek Cut Iso...
Material:- ST-42
Thickness:- Date:-26/02/2002 Priority:- 0
0,8000
Quantity-10 Pending quantity:- 0 Nested quantity:- 0
(Disabled) (Disabled)
Customer Lantek
Order number 195/70
Plan number
In the example the user writes: P #1 #2, if #1 is Lantek (Customer) and #2 is 195/70 (Order
number), the line which is going to be marked is:
P Lantek 195/70
Making the nesting and a zoom to one part:
Length of one character (e.g. 2,500)
This is the length of one character.
Height of one character (e.g. 5,000)
This is the height of the text which will be marked.
Horizontal separation between characters (e.g. 0,500)
The ink-jet will mark the specified text giving the separation between characters specified here.
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Vertical separation between characters (e.g. 1,000)
The value given here is the vertical separation between lines of the same text.
Correct position
The values of the offset (X, Y) will determine the distance between the external contour of the
part and the marked text.
Offset X 10,000 Y
20,000
But if there is any hole where the marked text should be, the user can configure the distance from
the initial to try each time.
Search step X 5,000 Y 5,000
In the example, Expert will test every 5 mm if the position for the text is good or not.
Rotate the text with the part
The text will be marked in the part always in the same position as the part is placed in the
nesting. This means, if the part is placed at 0 and 90 degrees, then, the text will be placed in 0º in
the first case, and in 90º degrees in the second one.
Reference text
With this the user can define the reference text for the inkjet marking. If in any part there is a
reference text, it will be changed by the one defined for the automatic inkjet marking. This new
text will be placed in the same place (central point), and with the same reference angle.
Mark only the parts that contain the reference text
The user can use this parameter when using the automatic marking option.
If the user defines a reference text (symbol to indicate the position where the real text is going to
be marked) in the automatic machining option, the system will change it by the base text (real text
to be marked) in all the parts where this text is placed.
In the previous version, if the system finds that there is no reference text, the system was
deciding the best place to mark the real text. From now onwards, on and not activating this
parameter, the user will not be able to mark the real text if there is no reference text.
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1.33 Annex C: Manual Lead-in / Lead-out assignation
From both the drawing and nesting module, the lead-in/lead-out can be assigned easily in three
steps:
1. From the Lead-in/Lead-out toolbar choose the desired lead-in/lead-out type:
With this option the user can use snap in order to place the lead in or lead out. With this
the user will be able to dynamically drag lead in with the mouse. To define the lead in, the
user should define a line (2 points option) crossing the contour where the lead in is going to
be placed. There are two different ways to define this lead in: Automatic, which take the
values from the automatic lead in option, and Manual where the user has to define the type
for the lead in. There is an orthogonal selection mode (F2), which allows moving the lead
only in horizontal or vertical to the coordinate system
2. The system will wait for the user to choose the base contour where the lead will be placed:
Select lead-in/lead-out element
3. Once the contour has been chosen, the system needs the position from this base contour
for placing the lead-in/lead-out. It is important to check the position is the correct, because
it may be inside the part.
Select lead-in/lead-out position
The system will insert the lead-in and the lead-out depending on the chosen type and the
values configured for the parameters:
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For interior contours, the process is the same:
If the result is not good, the user can change it using the last four options of the toolbar. They
provide four different methods for adjusting the lead-in/lead-out. For explaining how to use
them, let's use one example part with the leads already inserted:
Move point of lead-in/lead-out ( )
Manually, the user can move the point of the lead-in or lead-out.
The way of moving the lead position is just clicking on the button, and then selecting the lead-
in/lead-out point to modify and move it to the new position, the lead-in/lead-out is the hole ones:
Place the point where you wish
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Put the lead-out like the lead-in ( )
Also, the system provides the possibility of changing the lead-out for placing it in the same
direction as the lead-in.
Using the option of the toolbar, and then selecting the lead-out will make this:
Put the lead-in/out in bisector ( )
When the lead-in/lead-out has been placed on corner, this option allows to modify them placing
on the intersection at 45 degrees:
Replace lead-in tangent arc for two segments ( )
If the lead-in is an arc, the system allows to transform it into two segments. This is necessary for
some machines:
Add element ( )
Click on this button for placed lead-in/lead-out Add element modification option help.(See page
184)
For deleting the lead-in/lead-out, use the delete option of the cut toolbar:
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And then selecting the contour where the lead-in/lead-out has been placed.
1.33 Annex D: Manual micro-joint assignation
From both the drawing and nesting module, micro-joints can be easily assigned in three steps:
1. From the micro-joint toolbar choose the desired micro joint type:
2. The system will wait for the user to choose the base contour where the micro-joint will be
placed:
3. Once the contour has been chosen, the system needs the position from this base contour
for placing the lead-in/lead-out. It is important to check the position is the correct, because
it may be inside the part.
The system will insert the micro-joint depending on the chosen type and the values configured for
the parameters:
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The same micro-joint type will be applied on each clicked contour of the part, for example adding
three micro-joints more:
Expert changes the color of the micro joints for making easier their identification. This color can
be configured from main module: Utilities -> Configure -> Draw and Nest -> Colors.
For deleting the micro-joint, use the delete option of the toolbar:
And then selecting the contour where the micro-joint has been placed.
1.33 Annex E: Manual Loop assignation
Once the user has the part on drawing module, it is easy to apply loops on the corners:
1. From the loops toolbar choose the desired loop type:
2. The system will wait for the user to choose the contour near a corner for applying the
selected loop type.
The system will look for the nearest corner to the clicked point of the contour, and will apply the
loop on it.
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The loops can be applied to all the clicked corners.
The system changes the color of the loops for showing to which contours are applied. This color
can be configured from main module:
Utilities ->Configure ->Draw and nest -> Colors -> Loops.
For deleting the loops, use the delete option of the loops toolbar:
And then selecting the corner where the loops has been placed.
Also, the user can round corners from here, using the round angles option of the toolbar. Doing
this, the system will round the angles of the part:
1.33 Annex F: Manual bridge assignation
The bridges should be applied between two parts, and this can be done only from nesting
module. There are two types of bridges to use from the Bridge toolbar.
From the bridges toolbar choose the desired bridge:
The system will wait for the user to choose the contour of the first part, and then the second one:
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The system will insert a bridge between those parts, so that the part will be machined together
without raising the head. With a zoom we can see the assigned bridge:
The contours where the bridge has been applied will be shown on the screen with a different
color that the normal geometries. This color can be configured on:
Utilities -> Configure -> Draw and Nest -> Colors
Only one bridge can be placed between two parts at a time. If the user wants to place a different
bridge, first he must delete the existing bridge using the delete option of the toolbar.
And then selecting the bridge geometry from the part's contours.
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1.33 Annex G : Laser parameter
These values configures the physical parameters of the laser. They will determine the way the
laser will work internally.
Focal distance of the lens
Certain laser machines are able to adjust the focal distance of the lens. If this function is enabled,
the postprocessor will read the value and configure all properly.
For using Tables of Technology, see the note below.
Reference gas
The gas that is going to be used in the laser machine can be selected here. Possible gases are
Nitrogen, Compressed air or Oxygen. Like in the rest of the system, the < > symbol indicates any
of the elements.
Nominal power of machine
The power of the machine in Watts is the value that must be written here to set up properly the
machine.
Focal distance of the lens 0,000 Reference gas < > Nominal power of machine 0,000
Values when using Technological Tables
If there are values on these parameters, Expert will use them always. But Expert provides the
Technological Tables for adapt the machining job to proper cutting configuration.
On these tables there are entries that coincide with values for material, thickness, focal distance
of the lens, gas and power. But if the user wants to use the values from the Technological Tables,
the values configured here must be as they are given on the image: Focal distance of the lens: 0,
Reference Gas: <>, and Nominal power of machine: 0.
This is one entry of the Technological Table, if the job will be done using the values from the left,
Expert will take the configuration of the parameters of the right:
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Material Thickness 1 Thickness 2 Lens Gas Power General

Piercing
RST37-2 2,0000 5,0000 3,000 Oxygen 3000,000
Cut mark
Drill mark
Cut
Lead in/outs
Corner refrigeration
Some machines can use a special treatment for refrigeration on corners making a stop and
executing a refrigeration cycle. When this checkbox is enabled, the postprocessor will determine
how these refrigeration are going to be handled. Also, the system allows to determine a filter of
what corners will receive the treatment depending on the corner's angle (between minimum and
maximum).
Minimum angle 0,000 Maximum angle 0,000 Time 0,000
NOTE: This is only used for some laser machines
Cut SPRINTLASER and Mark SPRINTLASER
SPRINTLASER is a technology for some laser machines. When required to use this technology,
enable the desired checkbox.
NOTE: This is only used for some laser machines
Film Burning
Sometimes the sheets are covered by a protection film. The machine will burn this film before
burning the sheet.
In the piercing: film burning will be done only in piercings.
The whole contour: machine will burn always the whole contour’s film before the contour itself.
Use Default values of tables of technology
With this parameter the user can select the technology tables for all type of machines:
There is a new filed for all the machines, this is the default filed, this parameter is only shown if
the corresponding parameter A045 is activated in the CF file. This field is used as default filed
when there are various lines with the same machine, material and thickness.
- There are 5 customizable parameters for the water machines:
*A040 OFF ; View boquilla diameter (tt.water))
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*A041 OFF ; View pressure (tt.water)
*A042 OFF ; View abrasive (tt.water)
*A043 OFF ; View abrasive flow (tt.water)
*A044 OFF ; View MIX diameter (tt.water)
- For the Oxicut/Plasma there are 2 new parameters;
*A039 0 ; Power and Gas in Oxicut/Plasma (0, 1, 2, 3)
0: No field to be viewed.
1: View power.
2: View Gas.
3: View Power and gas.
With this parameter the user can indicate whether we want to use the default values of the
technology tables. If we activate this parameter from inside the nesting we can see that the
corresponding fields change for the values of the technology tables, if it is activated, while
initializing the machining the system will take the default values without going to the configuration
window. Once this field is activated we have direct access to the technology tables window to
make the appropriate changes.
1.33 Annex H : Water parameters
These values configures the physical parameters of the water. They will determine the way the
water will work internally.
Apply speed reduction
User can use this parameter to "Apply speed reduction" in waterjet machines when cutting with
abrasive (without abrasive it is not possible to apply this reduction).
1.33 Annex I : Simple cycle
With this option the user can insert center punch machining at a point. The operation which will
be executed when a cycle is found depends on the configuration made in Cutting parameters -
There are special cycles (See page 72) checkbox. If enabled, then the system will show different
operations depending on the configured tools (See page 178) which can be done in the clicked
points:
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Cycles
Point
Point by cut on/off
Simple drill cycle
Drill cycle with breaking of shaving
Tap cycle
Ream cycle
C. sink cycle
Special cycle of cut
Special punching cycle
Select the point and the machining will be inserted. The option will remain active until you choose
a new option or push the ESC key. There will be rapids movements (See page 182)between
inserted machining:
1.33 Annex J : Example of different number of sheets with

multitorch
With the following parameter's values:
Number of sheets = 3; Gap between sheets = 50,000; Total limit between sheets = 700
The machine is going to be configured with three torches for working with the three sheets at
once. This will be done on Configure machines - Multitorch data:
Number of torches 3
Torch Chamfering Cut Mark Notches
1 X X X X
2 X
3 X
Torches on axis Y (enabled)

Minimal distance between torches = 100,000
Control torch = Down (enabled)
The Control Torch option gives the control to one torch, the CNC program will be done for this
torch, the rest will follow his movements. The Chamfering, Cut, Mark and Notches specifies the
abilities of each torch.
169
Torches on axis Y confirms the placement on Y axis of the torches, also there is a minimal
distance between torches. checkbox.
If available, the nesting module will show three sheets in the same screen. It’s important to check
the number of sheets, if we want to use multitorch with three torches and three sheets and we
only have two sheets, logically, the system allows to use these two only:
1.33 Annex K : Example - Assignation of the dimensions of

the contour
Having a nesting like this:
For making the vertical parts machining, there is no problem because the torches can move
physically to the correct position and the parts can be machined with three torches arriving each
one to each part without problems.
170
But when going to perform the machining of the horizontal placed part, the system is going to cut
it with the first torch, in this case the one placed on the lower side of the carriage. Maybe it can
arrive to the interior contour, but not to exterior ones. What will Expert do?, depending on the
chose option:
By contours: The system will use the torch number one for the interior, and other for the exterior
(the number two, for example).
By parts:The system will perform a test for knowing if the torch number one can cut all the part
(interior and exterior contours). Because this is not possible, it will make a test with the torch
number two. If is possible, then Expert will order to the machine to cut the whole part with the
same torch, the number two.
1.33 Annex L : Cut- Configure Execution of fixed cycle

This window makes the configuration of the automatic fixed cycles execution.
First of all, for using this option, the system should know which kind of tools the machine have.
This should be configured on
Main elements - Work Centers - Cutting machine - Tools (See page 178)
Once the machine has assigned the tools, then in this window the user can define the different
parameters of each cycle type on the right side:
And in the left side of the window, the user can configure when the different cycles are going to
be assigned automatically to the different contours:
171
Drill cycle Tap cycle Ream cycle C. sink cycle
No cut
Cut-1
Cut-2
Cut-3
Cut-4
Cut-5
Cut-6
Cut-7
Cut-8
Cut-9 X
Cut-10 X
Cut-11 X
Cut-12 X
Powder
Drill
Pen
For understanding how it works, let's assume that the machine has four kind of tools already
configured: CSINK-24, DRILL-25, REAM-18, TAP-25.
If there is any 25mm hole with cutting quality 9, the system will apply a drill cycle with the DRILL-
25 tool. If there is a 25mm hole with cutting quality 10, it will execute a tap cycle with the TAP-25
tool. In this case, it is important to order the machining by qualities because the drill cycle (quality
9) should be executed before the tap ones (quality 10).
18 mm holes with cutting quality 11 will be done with the REAM-18 tool and 24mm holes with
cutting quality 12 with the CSINK-24 tool.
1.33 Annex M : Extraction - Configure carriage movement

There are different lift systems. All the options of this window are for those which can move over
the sheet for getting the parts.
172
The lift movement can be on X axis, or Y, or in both, the configuration of the following parameters
should be consistent with this movement limitations.
Number of steps in X and distance between them
Number of steps in X 30 Distance between steps in X 5,000
From the starting position, the system is going to test which is the best position for the lift for
removing the element from the sheet. The steps in X are the number of tries to make and which
distance is between tries is the other value. For example:
In the example, there are only four steps, and at the end the position on which the three cups can
be activated because they are over the part is the last one. The system will always use the
position on which there is the possibility of enable the most number of cups.
NOTE: If the lift system has only movement on Y axis, these two values should be 0.
Number of steps in Y and distance between them
Number of steps in Y 30 Distance between steps in Y 5,000
With Y movement, the system is going to test every Y position from the starting point to
increments of distance given in distance between steps in Y parameter as many times as the
given steps number.
If the Lift system has movements only in Y the following example explains the working way:
173
NOTE: If the system has only movement on X axis, these values should be 0.
But if the carriage can move on X and Y axis, the system will test every X possible on each Y
position. In the next example there are three steps to try in X axis, and three steps in Y:
In this case, the last is the best position because the lift can use four cups.
174
Collision: head 1
Collision: head 1
Minimum X 0,000
Maximum X 0,000
Minimum Y 0,000
Maximum Y 0,000
These parameters will determine the minimum and maximum X and Y values on which the lift can
move. The system will never allow to pass these coordinates for avoiding collision with the head.
Collision: head 2
Collision: head 2
Minimum X 0,000
Maximum X 0,000
Minimum Y 0,000
Maximum Y 0,000
In combination machines there are two heads and the lift system must take care of not collision
with none of them. These coordinates configures the distances where the lift can't go on for
security with this second head.
Collision: absolute pressing
Collision: absolute pressing

Minimum X -99999,999
Maximum X 99999,999
Minimum Y -99999,999
Maximum Y 99999,999
Besides the collision with heads, the lift movement can cause collision on some physical
elements of the machine like the clamps. These values will determine the lift movement's limits.
Collision: pressing with regard to extraction point.
Collision:Pressing with regard to extraction point.

Minimum X -99999,999
Maximum X 99999,999
Minimum Y -99999,999
Maximum Y 99999,999
MEC file with collision zone geometry
With this parameter the user can define the collision zone with a MEC file when evacuating by lift.
175
If this parameter is defined, the collision zone will be calculated as the union between of the 3
following zones:
1. -Collision: absolute pressing.
2. -Collision: pressing with regard to extraction point
3. - MEC file with collision zone geometry.
If this parameter is not defined, the collision zone will be calculate as the union between the two
first options and the zones defined for the turret.
1.33 Annex N: Technology - Micro-joints
This option allows the user to enter a micro-joint geometry, which can be very useful to keep the
parts fixed to the sheet once they are machined, by means of the defined clamping. The clamping
geometry can be selected from the following:
Two joined elements are required. The microjoint should be placed on the linking point
closest to the selected area.
Selecting the element and defining the position where the microjoint will be placed
is enough.
Using the configuration made on Automatic Micro-joint (See page 129) section, the system
will insert microjoints on the nested parts.
Depending on the clicked point and the option selected here, the micro-joint will be inserted
in different section of the contour. For example, with the following part using the clicked point:
The result will be different depending on the selection:
176
This change can be done in more than just the clicked part depending on the option chosen in
Make on.
For example, with the following group of parts, if clicking in the signed one:
Depending on the chosen option, the change will be applied to the pointed parts:
This option enables the user to delete the defined micro-joint, with the assistance of element
selection buttons bar.(See page 182)
In order to define the geometry of the micro-joint, select this button so that the clamping
values. are established.
From here the automatic micro-joint configuration dialogue can be shown.
Using this option, the user can change the lead in/out point of the microjoint. For example,
the next figure is a part with microjoints:
Changing that point is easy:
177
The micro-joint have special treatment which can cause problems in some machining
operations like the repositions. This option will include the assigned micro-joint into the part
contours for being treated in the future as a geometry allowing to solve the possible problems:
See how to assign microjoints manually example.(See page 162)
1.33 Annex O : Main element - Work Center - Cutting machine

- Tools
If the cutting machine has any kind of tools which will execute cycles, it should be configured here
with Work centers -> Utilities -> Configuration -> Tools -> Configuration option. You need to
select cutting machine in the "Name" field.
In the tools window there are two possibilities:
Tool definition
In the new window the defined tools are listed depending on the options given on Criteria.
Work centers -> Utilities -> Configuration -> Tools (e.g. Drill6) -> Criteria -> Tool selection ->
Machines (e.g. Lantek Cut ISO..)
In the Criteria window which tools will be shown on the list can be changed. This is only for
showing tools, it doesn't delete any defined tool.
178
Note: Sometimes it seems that a defined tool is not in the list, it is important to check the Criteria
configuration to know exactly which tools are on the list. In the example there are all the tools of
the Lantek Cut Iso machine.
Create tool
This button will create a new tool of any of the four available types: drill cycle, tap cycle, ream
cycle, and C. sink cycle. Each type have specific parameters:
Drill cycle:
Tap cycle:
179
Ream cycle:
C.sink cycle:
Depending on the type of the cycle, different speeds can be associated to different materials. This
is with the Material Data button placed on each type parameter configuration window:
Then, using the new button will make new speed assignment depending on material and/or
thickness.
180
For drill cycles:
Material RST37-2
Maximum thickness for simple drill (Thickness 1) 5,000
Maximum thickness for drill with breaking of shaving (Thickness 2) 99999,999
Speed : rotation 10,000
Speed : feed 10,000
Assign speed UPM
For the material RST37-2, the simple drill will be used with a rotation and feed speed of 10 (UPM
speed) for thickness lowers than 5.
The user can make all the desired associations like this.
For tap cycle:
Material ST-42
Speed: rotation 10,000
The speed will be 10 if using the material ST-42. For each material, different speed can be set up.
For ream cycle:
Material RST37-2
Speed : feed 10,000
Assign speed UPM
With UPM speed for rotation and feed with a value of 10 the ream cycle will be done for RST37-2
material.
For C. sink cycle:
Material ST-42
Speed : feed 10,000
Assign speed UPM
The C. sink cycles in ST-42 material will be done at speed of 10 (UPM speed).
Making different associations will result in a better relationship between material and thickness
and the cycle.
Assign tools to machine
Once all the tools are been defined on the system, with this button the user can assign which
tools will use each machine. For this, there are two lists. The one of the left will show all the
defined tools which are not assigned to any machine, and the list of the right will show all the
181
tools assigned to the current machine. The way of changing this is just using the arrow buttons
placed on the middle of both list.
Assign tools:Lantek Cut Iso..

Tools Tools
DRILL - 6 > CSINK-50
REAM-10 TAP-5
REAM-20
REAM-8
<
TAP-1
TAP-10 >>
TAP-2
<<
Available tools Assigned tools
1.33 Annex P : Rapid movements
A Rapid movement is a displacement of the head without cutting. Using this option, the user can
insert a rapid movement from the current machining coordinates to the desired point (clicking with
the mouse or using the keyboard for giving the coordinates):
The system will go inserting rapid movements to the prompted points until the ESC key is
pressed.
1.33 Annex Q : Button bar for tool selection

Different program options and operations requires elements selection.
To select elements, the button bar with different selection options appears. The options on this
bar changes according to the actions which can be applied at each moment.
182
The most common selection button bar is the following:
Selection of elements by clicking the mouse on them (or deselection if they are already
selected).
Selection of elements with a rectangular window. The same effect as clicking the left mouse
button in an area in which there are no elements.
Selection of elements by means of an area generated in the polyline style. All the elements
trapped inside this area will be selected.
The elements whose ends coincide with the last element selected are selected. The same
effect can be produced by clicking the middle mouse button.
Selects all the drawing elements.
Selects all the drawing points.
Selects all the drawing segments.
Selects all the drawing arcs.
Selects all the drawing circumferences.
Selects all the drawing lines.
Validates the selection. The same effect can be achieved by clicking the right mouse button
or pressing the <INTRO> key.
A special feature of the selection method is its two window selection modes: the Window mode
and the Capture mode, respectively. When you select the window selection mode, the cursor
changes appearance and a box is displayed according to the direction.
Window icon Capture icon
Depending on the direction in which the cursor moves, left or right, the cursor enters window
mode (movement to the left) or capture mode (movement to the right).
183
From capture mode, all the elements which are partially inside the rectangle are selected.
However, in window mode only those elements completely inside the rectangle will be selected.
1.33 Annex R: Material thickness properties: Lead-in / Lead-

out - Add elements
This option will allow to add one geometrical element (usually a segment) to a lead in or lead out.
In the toolbar, the add element option rounded by red line.
material between the thickness.
Lead-in/Lead -out: Select the Lead-in/Lead-out to add the element by check the box.
Direction : This element must be parallel either to Lead-in, element, Lead-out element or to the
longest element where the lead in is placed.
Always like segment: Selecting this option means the element to be added will be of same
shape as the lead-in/lead-out segment.
Length: Specify the length of the element to be added. The minimum length of this new element
must be bigger than the system linear tolerance. This option does not work with lead ins number
11 and 12.
184

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Lantek Cutting module configuration

Lantek Expert Cut

1.1 General ..................................................................................................................... 1

1.21.3 Automatic Cycles on Lead-in................................................................ 116

1.33 Annex N: Technology - Micro-joints .................................................................. 176

Name: Lantek Cut Iso... (Cutting machine)

Linear tolerance (e.g.0,01000 ) & Angular tolerance (e.g. 0,100 )

Process the lead-in/lead-out, loops and micro-joints in the automatic nesting

X-minimum is the smallest X level of all the points of the part.

X-maximum is the greatest X level of all the points of the part.

Y-minimum is the smallest Y level of all the points of the part.

Y-maximum is the greatest Y level of all the points of the part.

Favorite position for minimal rectangle

Calculate the part dimensions without the auxiliar geometry

Restrict rotations in manual mode

Prompt for data when ordering contours

- When saving the part

Prompt for CNC reference:

Parts template name (e.g. CAJPIE.CAJ )

Sheets box name (e.g. CAJCUT.CAJ )

System: The system will calculate the time internally.

Time calculation: The calculation will be done using a generic postprocessor.

Generate information for labels

Work only with unitary parts (fast entry to nesting module)

Transform the geometry when transforming the machining

This parameter has two more option:

Replace punch by cut and Mark

Do in case of part change

Nothing: The nesting will no include the changes made on part.

Punch/ Detect punch position automatically

The options affected by this new parameter are:

CONTOUR: Manual contours.

SIMPLE CYCLE: Centered on segment and on end of segment.

NIBBLINGS: Based on a geometry element.

MACROINSTRUCTIONS: Chamfered corner’s pocket, Circular nibbling with micro-joints, Linear

Warn if there is interior geometry not machined when cutting

Prompt for this data when initializing

Execute every rapid with head up

Apply head up at the beginning of machining

The machine has Laser-eye

CNC name = PartNo

Minimum: PartNo: Minimum number of character for the PartNo.

Maximum: PartNo: Maximum number of character for the PartNo.

Previous text (e.g. P): The first characters of the PartNo.

The machine speeds can be configured in Speed Rates dialog box.

1.3 Sheet clamps

Number of clamps (e.g. 4)

Indicate the distance between different clamp positions.

Place the clamps with the mouse

Move interactively the from point

Maximum length of the sheet to enable the pin 2 automatically

Initial offset of the work zone (e.g. 500)

Offset to avoid the clamps (e.g. 30,000)

Allow collision test for clamps

Apply clamp check:

The clamps takes up turret positions

IMPORTANT: The clamp must have sensor for testing this.

Prompt for this data when initializing

Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum

Clamp -25,000 105,000 130,000 200,000 Fixed

Place the fixtures with the mouse

Prompt for this data when initializing

1.5 Work chutes