nesting issue

[Mark Hesketh]

is there a way to get the nests to come out better when you have base gables and upper gables to cut? currently, if i only have a couple of base gables, it will nest those first, then nest the upper gables arround them, but it doesn't nest well to fill the remaining space. here is a pic of what i mean. the program makes me load up a second sheet to cut the last upper gable, when it could easily fit in the space leftover on the first sheet once the base gables are cut. any ideas, or am i stuck with running it as 2 sepperate jobs to use the material best?

[DanEpps]

Are you sending the job to a router? If so use \"True Shape\" for nesting.

If you are not sending the job to a router, try changing the orientation between horizontal and vertical.

[Mark Hesketh]

i am sending the job to a router, i am using true shape. it is grained material, so the part orientation is fixed.

i run into this problem all the time, and would love to be able to tell the program to relocate certain parts, or tell it to discard the current orientation and try another, or something to that effect.

[DanEpps]

I got the same sort of nesting by grouping slab doors but it doesn't look like you have any slab doors or drawer fronts in that nest.

When I ungrouped them it nested like I thought it should.

[Jody Wilmes]

Be sure to check your Collar value (under Nesting) and true shape cutter diameter (under preferences). Both of these will affect nesting inside eCabinets. I assume you would want to match those values to what you have at the machine so you're apples to apples.
I typically use .375\" for the true shape cutter and .1\" for the collar.

[Mark Hesketh]

i think where the problem really lies is with where the program wants to look first to place each part. it appears to always want to put the next piece as close as possible to the left side. if you look at the picture above, the first 2 upper gables are placed this way above the base gables, followed by the third upper gable in line with them since that is where it can fit that is closest to the left. then, because that third upper gable is placed there, there is no longer enough space to place the last 2 upper gables, but only 1 of them.
is there no way that the program could realize that there is tonnes of space above, where the one gable could be shifted to in order to fit the extra piece at the end of the base gables?
it could be done by making the priority for placement be the bottom, then the left (currently it is left, then bottom), but i suppose that you would likely end up running into the same issue. but what would really work would be if it tries both as well as a combination of the 2 methods, and pick whichever nests the best.
this is probably just a memory killer, but just a thought. i wouldn't even mention it except for the fact that this happens almost daily, and really cuts done on the efficience and increases waste.

[Jody Wilmes]

You do have the option to specify nest direction also. Changing this setting will either cause it to nest from Left to right or bottom to top. This also will affect yield.

[Mark Hesketh]

well don't i feel a little sheepish. i didn't know you could switch between vertical or horizontal nesting.

however, it would still be nice if the program could determine which was best for each sheet automatically.

thanks Jody and Dan

[Jody Wilmes]

.........however, it would still be nice if the program could determine which was best for each sheet automatically.

I agree.

It's easy to overlook the "little" things within the software.