4. Take a nesting run to SigmaNest and back to Tekla PowerFab

Tekla PowerFab
2022i
Tekla PowerFab Tekla PowerFab GO
2022
Tekla PowerFab Tekla PowerFab GO
2021i
Tekla PowerFab Tekla PowerFab GO
2021
Tekla PowerFab Tekla PowerFab GO
2020i
Tekla PowerFab Tekla PowerFab GO
2020
Tekla PowerFab Tekla PowerFab GO
2019i
Tekla PowerFab Tekla PowerFab GO
2019
Tekla PowerFab Tekla PowerFab GO

Use this process to take advantage of SigmaNest's Nesting capabilities within a Tekla PowerFab job.

Open a job in Combining, Estimating, Production Control or Purchasing.

Choose "Combine" from the menu.

 

Image
combine



Click "Nest" or "Mult&Nest" at the bottom to start a new combining run.

From the Combining Run Filter screen, click "Optimizations" (bottom left) then the "Plate Nesting Settings" tab to see what nesting software is selected.

Choose SigmaNest as the Nesting Software, unless you have SigmaNest as default (in which case SigmaNest will already be selected).

 

Image
plate_nesting_settings


On the Combining Run Filter screen, filter for the items you want to nest, then click Nest (or Mult&Nest).

Running "Nest" with SigmaNest as your Nesting Software initially results in all pieces "Not Combined".

 

Image
combing_run_results


These pieces can then be exported to SigmaNest for nesting.

 

Image
export_to_sigmanest


Add a name or initials for 'Programmed By:'

If using custom work order numbers, enter the number. Otherwise they are automatically incremented.

Assign a Due Date (this gets assigned to the Work Order in SigmaNest).

Edit Item Priority if desired, then click Export Parts:

 

Image
export_parts_for_nesting


Wait for SimTrans to Run. Work orders sent from Tekla PowerFab will not be available in SigmaNest until SimTrans has run.

Process Nest in SigmaNest

Import the Work Order from SimTrans to make it available in SigmaNest.

Create Tasks and Nest as usual.

If the material for this nest is already in the shop, and you're ready to cut, either:

Post the nest (and update the Program if desired) in SigmaNest, then import cutting results to Tekla PowerFab.

Or, if using the Tekla PowerFab Plugin in SigmaNest, Post, then Program Update. This completes the cut and performs the Take From Stock.

If however, this nest will be used for Tekla PowerFab to order material, continue here:

Create a Report of this Nest to send to Tekla PowerFab:
On the Nesting Tab, click Reports

Image
4-6.png


Click "Print":

 

Image
4-7.png


Check the box beside "Tekla PowerFab Layout Detail" and click export. (Don't see the report? Set it up here.):

 

Image
4-8.png


Save it as an HTML document. By default it is called Tekla PowerFab Layout Detail. We suggest you rename it to be specific to this Work order or task

Import Nest from SigmaNest into Tekla PowerFab

Back in Tekla PowerFab, Open the combining run, and choose "Import Nested Parts", and select the HTML file you just saved. After the Import finishes, the results show on the Combining Run window. 

Image
4-9.png

After the Import finishes, the results show on the Combining Run window. 

Image
4-10.png


Select a row, and click "View Nest" to show the SigmaNest-generated nest and it's pieces.

Image
4-11.png

The top left of the Nest window shows the External Nest ID, and the software creating this nest, followed by a list of all the parts on this nest. The middle shows the SigmaNest image of the Nest, and tabs across the top show each remnant and each part in the nest.

Note: Parts for which there is no CNC file do not have tabs.

Click "Save Displayed Results and Close" to reserve these pieces in Inventory.

If items need to be ordered, choose a purchase order or requisition.

Image
4-12.png


When Import Items finishes, the inventory used by this combining run is reserved for this job.

Image
4-13.png


Double-clicking one of these nests will show the SigmaNest image, with the details of this nest.

Image
4-14.png


The top left shows the External Nest ID, and the software creating this nest, followed by a list of all the parts on this nest. The middle shows the SigmaNest image of the Nest, and tabs across the top show each remnant and each part in the nest.

Finally, post the nest (and update the Program if desired) in SigmaNest, and import cutting results to Tekla PowerFab. As production goes through the shop, Cut and Take From Stock this SigmaNest data.

Was this helpful?