SICAM/Controlled Automation Integration
Tekla PowerFab/SICAM Integration
See also Mult, nest, or cut materials with SICAM in Tekla PowerFab Product Guide
Setup in Tekla PowerFab
1. To enable the Tekla PowerFab/SICAM integration, in Tekla PowerFab go to Maintenance→Integration Settings→Controlled Automation - SICAM.
The settings dialog box opens.
Image
2. Select the desired SICAM interface and folder.
Permissions
You can set up a user in Tekla PowerFab specifically for SICAM. The permissions required are Allow Tekla PowerFab Login and those selected in the examples in Define permissions for external multing and nesting integrations.
Setup in SICAM
In SICAM, on the Setup tab select SICAM settings:
1. Using the right arrow, scroll over to the Tekla PowerFab tab and select it.
2. Select Allow feedback to Tekla PowerFab, and fill out the information in the Login area.
3. Local Tekla PowerFab Path is the directory for your local Tekla PowerFab installation. The other settings are there so that SICAM can connect to your Tekla PowerFab server.
4. Once your Tekla PowerFab server information is filled in, click the Test Connection button to make sure it's set up correctly.
The rest of the settings depend on your shop preferences. You can use these as a starting point:
Image
Sending a Work Order
A work order is a request for nesting and multing that includes the CNC files to be cut, as well as the available and orderable stock on which to nest or mult. To haveSICAM perform the nest or mult, export your Combining run to SICAM.
1. To create this work order from Tekla PowerFab, open Combining from the Combining, Estimating, Production Control Requisition, or Purchase Order modules.
2. Select Combine on the Module ribbon tab.
3. Click Mult, Nest, or Mult & Nest then click Optimizations on the bottom left of the Combining Run Filters dialog box.
4. Set the Multing and/or Plate Nesting Software on the appropriate tabs to Sicam.
Image
Image
When the Combining Run Results opens, all parts show as Not Combined.
Image
5. Save the combining run if desired.
6. To export these parts, and the stock available for combining to SICAM, go to Combining Run > Export Parts for Nesting > Export Direct to Sicam
The following is an example workflow in Sicam illustrating the basics of creating a nest.
In Sicam, expand SICAM . . . and Quarantined Tekla PowerFab (New).
For Plates, right-click on Nests and select Create Nest.
Image
In the SelectFabsuitePlateDlg dialog box, select your Machine and verify the plate thickness and that Tekla PowerFab has provided the plate from inventory, then click OK.
Image
Click the Auto Nest button:
Image
And click Auto Nest:
Image
Once your nest is created you have the option to add a crop to create a remnant.
Use the drawing tools in Sicam to specify the shape of the remnant that will be sent to Tekla PowerFab.
Image
When you close your nest you will be prompted to save it.
Image
For linear items like wide flange, angles, etc., right click on Nests and select Create Auto Mult or Create Manual Mult.
Image
Click the Inventory/Drop button.
Image
Verify that the inventory was received from Tekla PowerFab.
Image
Close this window, then click Start Multing, then Start Multing in the pop-up.
At the bottom of the window, multed bars are listed on the left, and the corresponding multed parts on the right:
Image
Save the mults and close the window.
Once nests and/or mults are saved, right-click on the File Creation ID . . . and select Approved.
Then select Check in Tekla PowerFab Item.
Image
Image
Once the nests/mults are checked in to Tekla PowerFab, if material needs to be ordered, a requisition is created in Tekla PowerFab and assigned a requisition number that consists of the date and time the update occurred.
If the material is in inventory it will be linked to the project, and plate/remnant images will be available by double-clicking the plate.
Image
In the production job items will be linked to the requisition or to inventory where appropriate:
Image
