Nest with the BEST

Part Costs and Material Yields ............ 4

Cycle Time and Consumables Life......... 6

Integration .................................... 8

Management Feedback ....................10

Scalability .................................... 12

Support ........................................ 14

SigmaNEST Total Solutions:

Plate Cutting ................................. 16

Precision Sheet Metal ...................... 18

Router and Knife Applications ............ 20

Welcome to the information age! With manufacturing and service jobs moving all overthe world, profitability and success in our industry will only be possible if we all harnessour expertise in automation and manufacturing efficiency.

Congratulations on recognizing the need for change in your company. If you had waiteduntil the need for change was obvious to everyone around you, it would probably havebeen too late.

SigmaTEK Corporation is your perfect partner in automating and optimizing your flatmaterial cutting operations. Our automatic nesting and NC programming softwaretechnology is specifically designed for CNC plate burning, plasma, laser and waterjetcutting, routers and knife cutters, profile/punch combo machines and turret punchpresses.

Our technological leadership is the result of a relentless commitment to excellence,continued investment in research and development, and our close working relationshipwith the more than 4,000 SigmaNEST customers worldwide.

We look forward to serving you with the quality products and services you expect anddeserve.

Sincerely,

Ben TerreBlanchePresident and CEO

As powerful and flexible as CNC cuttingmachines are, they merely follow the NCprogram - a program that you create!SigmaNEST ensures that the NC pro-grams sent to the machine are optimizedfor material yield, machine cycle time, partquality and production schedule.

SigmaNEST is an integrated packageoffering an easy to use and streamlinedwork method for programmers, estima-tors and material management personnel.

With over 4,000 systems installedworldwide, SigmaNEST is the leadingprofile cutting and sheet metal CAD/CAM system available today. SigmaNESTcombines the most advanced automaticnesting technology, machine motionoptimization, unequaled ease-of-use andproduction management automation toincrease your productivity, profitability andcompetitiveness.

2

TypicalincreasedproductionthroughputwithSigmaNEST

Key Success Factors

Material- Save Money• Get the best yield from your raw material by nesting with SigmaNEST• Consume less material for the same output• Eliminate Remnants• Ensure more efficient utilization of cutting consumables such as gas, nozzles and optics• Lower your cost per part

Motion- Quality Parts - Faster• Increase machine throughput with motion optimization functionality• Always run at optimal cutting conditions• Achieve appropriate part quality consistently• Advanced NC features

Manpower- Simplified Programming• Optimized for the latest Microsoft Windows operating system including SQL and .NET• Unequaled ease-of-use• Network and Intranet enterprise versions available• Produce nesting layouts and NC programs effortlessly

Management- Production Information• Automate production management functions• Integrate with order entry and MRP• Accurately estimate and quote• Customize reports and post-processors• Allow just-in-time nesting and total programming automation

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More than just a means of optimiz-ing material utilization,SigmaNEST gives you the power todramatically increase the produc-tivity and throughput of your entireoperation.

Material Utilization• SigmaNEST’s advanced automaticnesting results in tighter nesting layoutsand the best yield from your raw materialwith the minimum amount of wastepossible. You’ll consume less material forthe same production output, loweringcost per part and improving productivity.• SigmaNEST is capable of multi-headnesting and cutting on new or remnantmaterial.• Complete material inventory controlallows remnant consumption and overallinventory reduction.

Part Quality• SigmaNEST produces the mostdimensionally accurate parts throughfeatures such as automatic power rampingat corners, automatic dwell and exactstops.• User-definable cut quality allowsvariations within a single par t as well asbetween different parts in a nested layout.• Leadin options such as overburns andmicro-joints help the cutting machineproduce parts of superior quality.

• SigmaNEST includes technology to cutparts in a way that they do not moveduring the cutting process, ensuringdimensional accuracy.

Material Handling and Safety• SigmaNEST fully supports automaticcropping and scrap cut functions whichreduce “skeletons” into manageable piecesand remnants into manageable shapes.• SigmaNEST functions such as clampavoidance, tip-up part avoidance and zonenesting ensures reliable and safe machineoperation.• SigmaNEST optimizes for part off-loading and raw material handling.

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The New York Blower Company has im-

proved machine productivity, as well as

increased material utilization, by program-

ming its laser and plasma cutting machines with SigmaNEST.

Construction& Agricultural

Equipment:

Cameco

Caterpillar

Deere Hitachi

John Deere

JRB

Komatsu Shearing

Toro

Vermeer

Optimize machine motion through common-line cutting andtip-up part avoidance

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SigmaNEST is Faster• SigmaNEST Advanced True Shapenesting uses the fastest, most sophisti-cated and most efficient nesting engineavailable in the industry. The fast auto-matic nesting system allows you to dojust-in-time nesting, taking advantage ofcombining parts from different orders toget the best yield.• SigmaNEST can calculate the best sheetsize combination for a multiple sheetnesting task, allowing you to order themost suitable raw material sizes.

SigmaNEST is FunctionalSigmaNEST optimizes nestings for• Common-line cutting• Common-line punching and shearing• Bevel cutting• Multi-head cutting with variable headcount and spacing• Continuous NestingTM and productionautomation• SigmaNEST simplifies and automateschallenging nesting and cutting tasks. It isyour ideal tool and companion for today’scompetitive environment.

SigmaNEST is Flexible• SigmaNEST is the only package youneed. It produces nestings and ready-to-run NC code for a wide variety of cuttingand punching machines.• SigmaNEST allows you to define yourown nesting logic allowing you to includeand automate your own business rules.

At Enviro-Tec, SigmaNEST allows everyone to do their

jobs more productively with less paperwork, in half

the programming time, and uses 20% fewer sheets to

produce the same amount of work.

SigmaTEK’s technological leader-ship is maintained by a relentlesscommitment to excellence andcontinued investment in Researchand Development.

With such tremendous designflexibility, you can go from designto finished part in minutes insteadof hours.

Quality Cutting in MotionThe basis of SigmaNEST’s NC machineprogramming functionality is the auto-matic cutter path generation feature. NCcode, including pierce points, leadin/leadout lines and cutting offsets areautomatically generated, dramaticallyreducing programming time. Featuresinclude:• Multi-head programming• Optimal sequencing of cut path• Minimum heat distortion logic• Scrap cutting and remnant cropping• Open architecture post processorproducing compact sub-routine code• Cutting technology database

Advanced Programming: MotionOptimizationIncrease the capacity of your cuttingmachine by minimizing the cutting cycletime using SigmaNEST while maintainingappropriate par t quality.

Motion Optimization features include:• Reduced cycle time by common-linecutting• Reduced cycle time by auto-chaincutting parts• Reduced cycle time by auto-bridgecutting, which allows parts to be continu-ously cut from a single pierce• Minimum movement logic• Vary cutting parameters on a part tominimize production time while maintain-ing cut quality. This is particularly usefulwith laser and waterjet cutters.• Automatic tip-up part avoidancesequencing saves time by allowing rapidtraverse movement with lowered cuttinghead

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Advanced Cutting Processes• SigmaNEST supports the latest ad-vances in Laser, Plasma and Waterjetcutting technology. This includes automaticpulsing, power ramping, variable feedrates,and pierce-on-the-fly.• SigmaNEST will utilize all the uniquecutting functions and cutting technologieson your machine ensuring peak perfor-mance while integrating with the rest ofyour company.

Combo Machine ConfigurationsSigmaNEST’s Advanced NC programmingcapabilities support a wide range ofcombination machine configurations.These include:• Plasma/Punch combo machines• Laser/Punch combo machines• Combination router/drill• Combination plasma/drill

Intricate Operations Made Easy• Auto-bevel function allows multi-axisbevel contouring to be programmedeffor tlessly, including knife, land, blind and“K” bevels• Repositioning, clamp avoidance and partremoval using drop doors, part chutes orpart handlers• Automatically control torch spacing onmulti-torch burning machines withprogrammable torch spacing

Transportation:

Brunswick Boats

EastManufacturing

Diamond Trailers

Great Dane

Hendrickson

McNeilus Truck

Strick

Towmaster

Trinity Industries

Utility

Winnebago

Automatic continuous cutting reduces machine cycle time andprolongs nozzle life

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SigmaNEST directly interfaceswith most Solid CAD programs forgeometry data transfer.

Engineering Integration• Interface directly with SolidWorks, SolidEdge, Inventor, Unigraphics, Pro/E, CATIAand other solids based CAD systems• Solid CAD par t properties can bemapped to SigmaNEST part parametersfor consistency and accuracy• Import CAD files through AutoCADDXF, DWG, and other formats likeCADL, IGES, or HPGL• Convert existing NC programs (G-codeor ESSI) to geometry• Part geometry automatically sequencedand internal contours automaticallyidentified• Part geometry analyzed for small gapsand duplicate entities and correctedautomatically• Smoothing filter substitutes arcs andlines for segmented polylines• Create or modify part drawings withSigmaNEST’s complete, built-in 2D CADsystem• Create drawings in seconds fromintegrated Standard Shapes Library• Multiple “Z” depths recognized• Sheet metal parts unfolded• Error reduction improves quality andreduces downtime

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At Fey Automotives Products we

are committed to provide products and service

that exceed customer expectations. To accom-

plish this goal, SigmaNEST’s role is essential.

Simplified Programming• SigmaNEST offers automated functionsfor ultimate productivity and interactivetools for maximum flexibility.• Produce nests and NC programseffor tlessly.• SigmaNEST Machine ConsoleTM takesnesting at the machine to the next levelof automation and efficiency.• Optimized for Windows 2000, XP and2003, SigmaNEST offers unequaled ease-of-use.

Open Architecture• SigmaNEST is .NET compliant with anopen architecture, allowing users tocustomize and automate the program-ming function and roll SigmaNEST out asa web service.• SigmaNEST offers automated links toMRP/ERP software for batch and Bill-of-Material (BOM) processing.• SigmaNEST uses Microsoft SQL Serveror MSDE for client server data manage-ment for multiple users.• Post processors are user-configurableand can be customized to meet yourneeds offering the greatest level offlexibility.

Aerospace:

Boeing

Cessna

Ferco Tech

Kawasaki HeavyIndustries

NorthwestComposites

Shinmaywa

Vought Aircraft9

Create multi-spindle nested layouts effortlessly

Designed to streamline the mate-rial utilization and cutting technol-ogy of the software, SigmaNESToffers a comprehensive suite ofproduction management anddatabase integration tools; and ouropen architecture allows users tocustomize post processors andmanagement reports.

Parts Database• SigmaNEST’s parts file managementsystem allows you to retrieve previouslycreated par ts quickly and easily.• Parts can be stored by specific cus-tomer, project or product area.• Part revision level can be synchronizedwith solid CAD parts and assemblyconfigurations and PDM systems.

Work Order Management and JobTrackingSigmaNEST’s job tracking and work ordermanagement system allows you to trackevery part and Work Order frombeginning to end. By creating nestinglayouts and cutting jobs, part status isupdated from “on order” to “in process”to “completed.” If a work order is par tiallycompleted by a cutting job, the balance ofthe parts required will be calculated andmade available for a subsequent nestingautomatically. Features include:

• Batch processing of Bill-of-Materials• Work order costing• Archive and part production traceability• On-line status reports and scrapped par tsfeedback

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• Mixing different work orders on one sheet• Accurate inventory leads to improved control• Work order staging and consolidation with off-load screen minimizes open pallets, resulting inimproved workflow

Inventory Management and StockControlUse SigmaNEST to manage your rawmaterial inventory effectively, allowing youto get the most from the working capitaltied up in stock.

SigmaNEST enables you to monitor rawmaterial quantities in stock, on order andin process. You can easily browse throughavailable stock and remnants, based onmaterial grade and thickness. Stock datacan be easily synchronized with existingproduction management and inventorycontrol software. SigmaNEST’s remnantdatabase keeps an accurate record of theshape of remnant. Benefits include:

• Fewer remnants• Remnant shape more usable• Up-to-the-minute status report of available stockfor any given grade and thickness• Heat Number traceability• Remnants do not have to be approximated byrectangles, thus maximizing usable material• Best sheet selection• Multi-plate nesting in X and Y

At Bender Shipbuilding the

SigmaNEST/SimTrans system provides a

careful balance between “control and flexibility” that is needed to plan,

manage, and process plate parts.

Achieve Advanced True Shapenesting into the dead zone andunder clamps through resolved

repositioning

SchedulingSigmaNEST calculates production time forcutting jobs accurately, taking into consid-eration machine accelerations andprocess dynamics. This serves as the basisfor SigmaNEST’s machine load manage-ment and job scheduling functionality.

MRP/ERP SimTrans InterfaceSigmaNEST offers a real-time link to MRPand ERP systems such as SAP, BAAN,eStelplan and JD Edwards. This moduleautomatically registers orders andprovides feedback on order status andmaterial consumption.

Estimating and CostingCutting time and material requirementcalculation provides the input to the userconfigurable part production cost model.Features include:

• Par t and job quotes• Material yield and scrap tracking• Time studies and cycle time calculations• True par t weight• Automatic job cost feedback• Multi-head cutting and sheet stacking considered

ReportsSigmaNEST’s fully detailed reports areclear and accurate, and provide all theinformation you need to streamline yourcutting operation. You can easily customizethe report layout to match your ownrequirements. Examples include:

• Layout reports• Barcode labels• Utilization reports• Tooling setup reports

Steel ServiceCenter:

Alro Metals

AM Castle

American Steel

Delta Steel

Denman & Davis

Earl M Jorgensen

Farwest Steel

Macsteel

Metals USA

O’Neal Steel

Rolled Alloys

Service Steel

Timberline Steel11

Woods Equipment utilizes

SigmaNEST’s advanced nesting features to improve

cycle time and increase consumables life through chain, bridge, and

common-line cutting.

From the SigmaNEST Autonest™package through the SigmaNESTPower Pack™, the scalabilityavailable in the system satisfies theunique requirements of customersand allows the perfect growth pathfrom an entry level to a high-endsystem. SigmaNEST is offered inconfigurations that meet everyneed.

SigmaNEST® Autonest™An entry-level nesting and NC program-ming system that is quick to learn andeasy to use.

SigmaNEST® True Shape™A more efficient, fully functional nestingand NC programming package forprocessing rectangular raw material.

SigmaNEST® Techno™Advanced True Shape nesting andAdvanced NC programming.

SigmaNEST® Maximizer™Included in this fully functional nesting andNC programming package are workorder management, scheduling, inventorycontrol and remnant nesting capabilities.

SigmaNEST® Power Pack™The most complete and advancedSigmaNEST package includes productionmanagement, inventory control, advancedautomatic nesting and machine motionoptimization.

SigmaNEST® Punch Power Pack™The most complete and advancedSigmaNEST package for turret punchprogramming includes productionmanagement, AutoDynamicTM nesting,punch tool management and machinemotion optimization.

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SimTrans™A real-time MRP/ERP interface, whichincludes automatic transaction processing,bill of material processing and batchprocessing. It facilitates order entry intoSigmaNEST from order entry andprocessing systems and provides partproduction and material consumptionfeedback. It synchronizes raw materialinventory with commercial systems.

SN/FilterSmooths geometry consisting of small linesegments, substituting circular arcs wherepossible, resulting in smoother parts andsmaller programs. Popular in sign makingand ar twork. Raster to vector conversionavailable for scanned images.

SigmaNEST FMSIntegrate material handling including sheettowers, loaders and unloaders with theNC programming office. Job schedulescan be set up and manipulated remotely.The system integrates directly withSigmaNEST’s job tracking and inventorymodules.

Access your remnant inventory and automatically nest partsfor multi-torch burning

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Additional add-on modules:Machine ConsoleLoad/UnloadStock ManageProfile/Punch CombinationRouter/Drilling CombinationAutoDynamicTM Nesting ServerBevel ProgrammingTribon InterfaceSolid CAD InterfacesStruCAD and Xsteel InterfacesLegacy data convertersSigmaNEST Cut-to-Length

Furnishings:

Ashley Furniture

Bassett

BenchCraft

Century Furniture

Douglas Furniture

Kaas Tailored

La-Z-Boy

Lexington HomeBrands

Woodmark

In addition to the bundled pack-ages, add-on modules are availableoffering a wide range of capabilities.

ShopCOMM™An advanced communications modulelinks the SigmaNEST programmingworkstation to multiple cutting machinesvia Direct Numerical Control. Theoperator on any machine can enter aprogram number right on the control andthe corresponding program is down-loaded into his machine. ShopCOMM™connects your CNC cutting machinecontrol units to a Microsoft Windowslocal area network using serial (USB)communication.

SN/RotaryCut tubing on machines equipped with arotating headstock as simple as cutting flatprofiles from a sheet. The system compen-sates for tube wall thickness and achievesquality cutting by maintaining constantrelative surface velocity. It includes 3Dmodeling.

Develop™A shapes library software for designingand unfolding 3D transitions and weldedfittings for blowpipe, boiler making, HVACand general fabrication applications.

SigmaTEK Corporation is dedi-cated to helping service centers,manufacturers and fabricatorsimprove their cost-efficiencythrough improved material utiliza-tion, increased machine throughputand reduced programming time.

We listen to our customers andstrive to meet their needs.

Regularly scheduled training classes are held at authorized training centers in Cincinnati, Seattle and otherfacilities across the globe.

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Faber SpA maximizes their equipment utilization and

streamlines their entire manufacturing process

by integrating Pro/Engineer and SAP into

SigmaNEST.

TrainingSigmaNEST is easy to learn and easy touse, but it operates in complex and widelyvarying environments. The most effectiveway to get the best results withSigmaNEST is by attending one of thetraining courses.

SigmaTEK offers several courses. Thesecourses are well structured to ensure thateverybody gets a good understanding ofthe software. The training facilities are wellequipped and classes are small. Thisenables us to spend enough time withevery student, giving everyone enoughhands-on and practical experience toenable them to use the software by thetime they complete the training. Trainingclasses are conducted at the Cincinnatiand Seattle offices in the US. Training isalso available at SigmaTEK offices in theUK, Italy, Australia, Japan and Germany.

SeminarsSigmaTEK offers frequent online meetingsand instructional seminars facilitated bythe latest web based technology.

SupportOur Technical Support Staff is just aphone call away. Experienced supportengineers are available to answer anyquestions you may have about yourSigmaNEST software and to help youmaximize your productivity.

Prolong router bit life through tooldepth oscillation

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Job Shop:

Chicago Bridgeand Iron

Cleveland Bridge

Grain Belt

Iowa Laser

Pasadena Tank

Super Steel

Watson Steel

SigmaNEST is the leading CAD/CAM system for programmingCNC profile cutting and punchingmachines.

Optimized for plasma, oxyfuel,waterjet, profile punch combo andplate laser cutting machines,SigmaNEST ensures the bestresults in terms of material utiliza-tion, machine motion optimization,part quality, integration, materialhandling, accurate estimates andmanagement information.

Laser features include:• Pre-piercing start points before cutting• Corner ramping• Tip-up part avoidance• Common-line and continuous cutting• Laser bevel cutting

Waterjet features include:• Feedrate ramping for Waterjet toeliminate tail wash gouging• Adaptive kerf compensation matched tofeedrate for increased part accuracy• Dynamic cut quality control

PlasmaAutomatic continuous

cutting reduces machinecycle time and prolongsnozzle life. SigmaNEST’s

powerful nesting withjust-in-time capability

provides nesting layouts inless time than it takes to

change a sheet on thecutting machine.

OxyfuelSigmaNEST permits

access to your remnantinventory and automati-

cally nests parts for multi-torch burning, resulting inreduced overall material

inventory. Cuttingtechnology considers andcompensates for thermal

distortion.

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LaserOptimize machine motionthrough common linecutting and tip-up partavoidance, reducing cycletime. Automatic powerramping at cornersensures quality par tsautomatically.

WaterjetAutomatic cornerramping eliminates tailwash and gouging ofmaterial, producing higherquality parts. SigmaNESTsupports multi-nozzlecutting on new andremnant material.

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SigmaNEST is the leading CAD/CAM system for programmingCNC profile cutting and punchingmachines.

Directly interfaced with productionmanagement and sheet metaldesign, SigmaNEST ensures thebest results in terms of part quality,material utilization, machinemotion optimization, materialhandling, accurate estimates andmanagement information.SigmaNEST supports FMS systems,part handlers and lights-out auto-mation.

Laser features include:• Vaporizing• Pre-piercing start points before cutting• Pierce on-the-fly• Microwelds and tabs• Corner ramping• Tip-up part avoidance• Common-line

Punch Press features include:• Common-line punching• Automatic micro tabs• Drop door and chute• Automatic tooling• Special tooling• Tool life management

Profile PunchCombo

SigmaNEST allowsadvanced true shapenesting into the dead

zone and under clampsthrough resolved

repositioning.

LaserUse unique machinecutting features and

technology whilemaximizing material yieldand minimizing machine

cutting time.

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Turret PunchPressSigmaNESTAutoDynamicTM nestingoptimizes punch tooling,material yield, machinecycle time and work orderpriorities to achieve thelowest cost per par t whilemaximizing machinethroughput, automatically.

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Optimized for router and knifeapplications, SigmaNEST ensuresthe best results in terms of integra-tion, part quality, material utiliza-tion, machine optimization, mate-rial handling and safety, accurateestimates and management infor-mation.

RouterCreate multi-spindle

nested layouts effor tlesslyand prolong router bit life

through depth tabs andtool oscillation. New

Continuous NestingTM

technology combines thebest aspects of static and

dynamic nesting toproduce the optimal

balance betweenproduction throughput

and material yield.

KnifeOptimize stack height for

multi-layer nesting.Accurate corner cutting

with angle recognition and“pizza” wheel control.

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Nest with the BEST

Trademarks belong to their respective owners. Images courtesy of Caterpillar, Fey Automotive, Faber SpA, New York Blower, Enviro-Tec,Farwest Steel, Woods Equipment, La-Z-Boy, Jet Edge, Koike, Tanaka, Trumpf, Shoda, Hypertherm Inc. and Exact Technologies.

SigmaTEK Corporation (Headquarters)11820 Kemper Springs Drive, Suite 100Cincinnati, OH 45240 USA+1 513-674-0005 Phone+1 513-674-0009 Faxinfo@sigmanest.comwww.sigmanest.com

SigmaTEK Europe Ltd.Unit 16, Barclays Venture CentreUniversity of Warwick Science ParkSir William Lyons RoadCoventry CV4 7EZ England+44 24 7632 3065 Phone+44 24 7632 3060 Fax

SigmaTEK Australasia Pty. Ltd.1048 Beaudesert RoadCoopers Plains, QueenslandAustralia 4108+61 7 3246 5213 Phone+61 7 3246 5212 Fax