steel solutions user guide - atekautomation.com

USING STEEL SOLUTIONS

STEEL SOLUTIONS OVERVIEW

COMMAND TOOLBAR

The command toolbar is where most controls for Steel Solutions’ main interface are located.

MANAGE FILES

The first 3 buttons allow you to manage your files. Click on Open to access your files. The edit button loads the part editor to

correct any issues with the parts. Finally, convert your parts or generate pdf drawings with the Export button.

You can save your current project, or access it later, by clicking on the red button in the top left corner and

selecting the desired operation (Save Project or Load Project).

VIEWER COMMANDS

The next group of controls in the toolbar affects the part view window.

MOUSE MEASURE

When mouse measure is turned on, you can click on two

points in the part view (2d only) to measure the distance between the two points.

Results are listed in x-distance, y-distance and actual distance. Click on the Mouse

Measure switch to activate it.

SHOW DIMENSIONS

Check the Show Dimensions box (or pres F7 on your keyboard) to display part

dimensions (2d views only). You can either display all dimensions or dimensions just

the currently selected object using the radio buttons.

Atek Automation Steel Solutions

Atek Automation | Steel Solutions Overview 2

PARTS PANEL

This panel is divided into two sections: the top part contains the list of loaded

parts and assemblies, while the bottom section gives details on the currently

selected parts.

PARTS LIST

When files are loaded into Steel Solutions, they are sorted into the part list

section. The loaded files will file into one of three tabs: parts, assemblies and file

conversion errors. As you view files that loaded successfully, they will show a

checkmark in the list verifying that it has been viewed.

On the Assemblies tab, each part in the assembly is grouped under a collapsible

tree for easy browsing of assemblies.

The Errors tab will display any file conversion errors that may have occurred.

SELECTED PART DETAILS

This will show the data on the currently selected part or parts. You can change

the details, such as job or part name, by clicking on the field and typing in the new

data. Click the Apply button to finalize the changes.

PART VIEW PANEL

This panel contains 3 tabs, each with a different

view of the current part or assembly

3D View (shown) displays a full 3d

rendering of the selected part or

assembly.

Tab View shows a 2d drawing of the

part, from only one surface. You can

change the surface by clicking on the

corresponding tab.

Split View shows a 2d drawing of all

surfaces of the part.

3 File Management | Atek Automation

FILE MANAGEMENT

Here we discuss Importing and exporting parts in various file formats.

LOADING FILES

The first step in using Steel Solutions is loading your files for viewing. Files can be loaded

form a number of sources: DSTV, DXF or Assemblies exported from your design software.

OPENING NEW PARTS

Press the button labeled ‘Open’ at the top of the screen to

enter the file selection dialog. Once in the selection dialog,

you can click on the dropdown menu to select the type of file

you want to load.

There are several choices to choose from, highlighted below:

Select the file type you want to load, find the files in the open

dialog, then click ‘Open’ to load them into Steel Solutions.

DSTV IMPORTING

DSTV files (commonly called nc files due

to their ‘.nc’ file extension) are a simple

way to pull in parts from your detailer.

They already have the job information

attached, and work with all standard

shapes with little configuration.

If there is any adjustment needed to the

parts, you can find the DSTV Import tab in

the Steel Solutions settings screen.


Atek Automation | File Management 4

DXF IMPORTING

Loading DXF files will occasionally require a more in-depth configuration to ensure the layers in the DXF file are set properly

in the Steel Solutions settings. If there are any problems loading a DXF file, open the settings and click the DXF Import tab.

Here, you can specify the layers by clicking the ‘Add’ button corresponding to the needed layer, and typing in the missing

layer from the DXF file. You can also set the default plate thickness / quantity, and the units used (Imperial or Metric).

ASSEMBLY IMPORTING

Steel Solutions can import assemblies directly from a

Tekla or SDS/2 model, generating layout marks and

weld symbols on the assembly main member using

the connection information of the detail connections.

EXPORTING FROM TEKLA


While in Tekla, select the section of the Tekla model you want to export. Launch the ATek Export Assembly Module, and click

the ‘Populate Assemblies’ button. All the selected assemblies will be loaded into the module.

In the Export Module, select the assemblies you want to export, or select none to export all, and click the ‘Export to XML

button. When you select a specific assembly in the

list, the related assemby in the Tekla model will be

highlighted to verify the selected assembly. The filter

can be used to load a targeted gropu of assemblies,

and the search to locate specfic assembiles in the list.

Note: To load all assemblies in the model, uncheck the

‘Populated Selected’ checkbox.

LOADING INTO STEEL SOLUTIONS

The process for loading assemblies into Steel

Solutions is the same as opening any other files. Click

the ‘Open’ button to access the file selection dialog.

Use the file type dropdown to select Assembly files

(.xml files), go to the export folder set in the Export

Module’s options, and load the desired assembly.

When loaded into Steel Solutions, the assembly will

be grouped together into a single item. You can expand the group by clicking the plus (+) symbol.


Atek Automation | File Management 6


CONVERTING AND EXPORTING PARTS

Parts in Steel Solutions can be exported to multiple formats by pressing the Export

button.

EXPORT FORMAT SELECTION

After clicking Export, the configuration dialog will pop up

giving you several formats to output: SICAM, DSTV, DXF

and PDF. Select your desired output format and

destination folder, and then click the Export button at the

bottom to finish the export. When exporting DSTV files,

you can select from multiple manufacturer-compatible

formats.

DXF EXPORT SETTINGS

Found in the Steel Solutions settings, this allows you to

define the layer settings for DXF files generated, as well

as the size of dimensions shown on the drawings.

DSTV EXPORT SETTINGS

You can provide different

settings for multiple

manufacturers using the DSTV

Export settings dialog. Settings

can be tweaked for multiple

manufacturers to ensure file

compatibility.


Atek Automation | Part Editing 8

PART EDITING

PART EDITOR INTRODUCTION

The Steel Solutions part editing interface is divided up

into toolbars and tabbed sections.

MAIN TOOLBAR

DRAWING TOOLBAR

OPERATION BOX

PART VIEW

OPTIONS

CONTROLLING YOUR VIEW

The part displayed in the main view can be moved around by holding down the middle-mouse button and

repositioning until the part is in the desired location. The scroll wheel can be used to zoom in and out.

You can also choose your zoom level using the magnifying glass icon, or in the right-click menu

You can change sides in the viewport quickly by using the tabs to switch

between Web and Flange views by clicking on the tabs displayed above

the viewport, or by pressing the Page Up and Page Down keys on your

keyboard.

DIMENSIONING TAB

Part Programming User Interface

ALL OPERATIONS

SELECTED OPERATIONS The dimensioning tab, located on the right side of the screen, activates

dimensions in the viewer to verify if things are properly measured on

the part. You can choose to view either the dimensions of the selected

operation, or view all dimensions on the current side. If the

dimensions are changed from ‘selected’ to ‘all,’ dimensions will need

to be turned off via the checkbox then turned back on.

The dimensions can be quickly toggled by pressing the F7 key.

9 Part Editing | Atek Automation

MAIN TOOLBAR

MODIFY PART

If a part needs modifications, the Modify Part button, found in the

main toolbar, will open the dialog allowing the settings of the part

to be changed. The length and shape of the part can be modified, as well

as the width of plates and the quantity needed.

FILE MANAGEMENT

SAVE Saves the changes to the part

SAVE AS Saves the changes under a different part

SAVE AND NEW Saves the changes, and create a new part

PRINT Brings up the print options menu to print

details for the part, or create a PDF

MISC TOOLS

CONTOUR PLATE

If more complex shapes than the standard square plate are needed, a plate can be converted to a contour plate. This

allows you to draw any shape you need to cut out of the plate. However, once converted it cannot revert back to a

standard plate.

ROLL PART AND FLIP PART

Rolling the part will move all operations to the opposite flange, while flipping the part will rotate all operations on the

part end over end.

CAUTION: ROLLING OR FLIPPING THE PART CANNOT BE UNDONE

SHIFT OPERATIONS

If there are operations that are in the wrong location or if the location changes, you can use the Shift Operations tool

to move them. It will either move selected operations in the direction and distance specified, or move all operations

on the active surface if required.



FIND DUPLICATES

This will check for any operations that may be entered multiple times, and marks them for review. To clear the

markings after removing the duplicates, press the Find Duplicates button again.

SCROLL LEFT/SCROLL RIGHT

Quickly moves the view to the left or right ends of the part.

You can also press Shift + or Shift + without having to use the mouse

EXPLODE & EXPLODE ALL

The Explode tool can be used on both operations and built drawings. It will split patterns into individual operations, or

convert a built tool path back into the original drawing elements. To use, select the desired operation, then click the

explode tool. The Explode All tool will explode all toolpaths on the part.

FIND BAD CONNECTIONS & FIX TOOLPATH ERRORS

The button to find gaps in toolpath connections will highlight any bad connections with a red circle. If there are any

errors in the toolpath, click the Fix button and Steel Solutions will attempt to automatically correct the errors.

Shift Shift


OPERATIONS

Programming operation patterns on to parts takes a simple x/y coordinate input to quickly

modify a part. Patterns can be created using a variety of tools, from circles and rectangles,

to setting a stencil on the part. The coordinates can be moved and rotated on the part to

accommodate input from any design.

COORDINATE SYSTEM

The coordinate system gives an orientation to any operation entered. By default, it runs from the upper left of

the part, or the head top. X typically refers to the horizontal direction, with positive numbers going in the

direction of the coordinate arrow, while Y operates vertically.

The position of the Coordinate System can be

altered by using the buttons in the toolbar or

with customizable keyboard hotkeys.

*Use dropdown menu to change coordinates

COORDINATE ROTATION

If operations are needed that run at a diagonal angle, the coordinates can be rotated using either

Custom Coordinates or the Rotate option. The angle can be given if that is known, or it can use a

rise and run to find the angle. The rise is the vertical distance to first operation, and the run is the

horizontal distance.

INCREMENT X

When two patterns need to be added sequentially along the X axis, select the

first pattern, then if the Increment X box is checked when the next pattern is

added, it will automatically change the coordinates to the previous operation.

Head Top Tail Top

Head Bottom Tail Bottom

Head Center Tail Center

Center Custom Coordinate

Miter Slope HT Miter Slope HB

Miter Slope TT Miter Slope TB

Toggle Centered Rotate

Change Quadrant Set Horizontal

Shift Coordinate System*

Default coordinate system hotkeys.



NEW PATTERNS

Operation patterns are added to the active side by choosing a tool in the New Operations tab and giving it the desired x and y

coordinates. The default coordinate system is at head top, but can be moved and rotated if needed.

INPUTTING COORDINATES FOR OPERATIONS

Start X defines how far in the X direction to place the first operation

Start Y defines how far in the Y direction to place the first operation

#X is how many times you want to repeat the operation in the X direction

X Increment is the gap needed between each operation for #X

#Y is how many times you want to repeat the operation in the Y direction

Y Increment is the gap needed between each operation for #Y

OPERATIONS ENTRY

Depending on the tool shape being used, different options are available for

programming a pattern:

Circles can be added in a linear pattern, or changed to a ring pattern.

Rectangles and most other shapes can be rotated with different alignments.

Layout Marks can be toggled between a front and a back layout.

Stencils have font size and spacing options.

MIRROR AND COPY

MIRROR PATTERN OR TOOL PATH ABOUT LENGTH +W

Mirrors the currently selected pattern horizontally to the opposite end of the surface.

MIRROR PATTERN OR TOOL PATH ABOUT WIDTH +M

Mirrors the currently selected pattern vertically to the opposite end of the surface.

COPY SELECTED PATTERN TO OPPOSITE SURFACE F1

Copies the currently selected pattern to the opposing flange or web.

COPY FACE – COPY ALL OPERATIONS TO OPPOSITE SURFACE

Copies the all operations on the surface to the opposite flange or web.

COPY OPERATIONS AND TOOL PATHS + C, + V

Operations and tool paths can be copied from one part to another by right clicking on the operation and selecting Copy.

Next, close the part and open the part that needs the operation. Select the surface to apply it to, right click on the part and

select Paste.

Entering coordinates using the keyboard:

- [+] key for Feet - [-] key for Inches - [/] key for Fractions - [] to Start Input - [Tab] for Next coordinate - [Enter] to Create

Operation

Ex: 1 – 3 / 4 will give 1” & 3/4th

[] and [] will navigate between operations.

Ctrl

Ctrl

Ctrl Ctrl


TOOLS

To change tools, click the Load button. Tools are sorted by shape and size.

If there are certain tools that are used frequently, they can also be added

to the common tools menu to be quickly selected. Tools can be color-

coded for parts to be quickly read without having to double-check sizes.

To access common tools menu, click the icon. From here you can select

one of your common tools, or from a list of tools already used on the part. At the bottom you can add the tool you’re

currently using to the common tools, or bring up the load menu to add a common tool. If you need to remove a tool from

the list, right click on the tool and choose Remove Tool From List.

CREATE NEW TOOL

The new tool dialog will let you set unit type and color. The dimensions

needed are context-sensitive, changing depending on the type of tool being

created.

CHANGE TOOL COLOR

Select the tool to change & Double-click or click the Modify button. Then, Choose

Color… (2). Select the preferred color, and then SAVE. The tool’s color will change on

all parts using that tool.

STENCILS

QUICK STENCIL

The Stencil button (Ctrl + Q) can be used to enter in a string and coordinates without having to select a tool or enter size information. It can be programmed from either the head or the tail. The default spacing & height can be adjusted using the same process as changing tool colors. The initial string and location can be altered in the Steel Solutions options menu.

CREATE NEW STENCIL OPERATION

When

programming a stencil using the New Operation box, you can

set the character spacing and height, as well as the x/y location

and angle of the text.

Ctrl



EDIT EXISTING OPERATIONS

Use the Edit Existing Operations tab to make any changes to operations already programmed onto the part. You can cycle

through the operations with the left and right arrows to select an operation, or click on the operation needing changes. The

Edit Operations tab functions the same as the New Operations tab. After making any changes, you will need to click on the

Update button to apply the changes.

When cut paths or exterior paths are selected, the

box will report the coordinates and if the path is a

curve, the radius.

FORCE OPERATION BURN / DRILL

The way an operation is processed by machines can be overridden by forcing an

operation to be either burned or drilled. Select a part with the mouse, and right-

click to open the context menu. Then, select Force Contour Machine to Burn Hole Pattern to prevent holes from being

drilled, or Force Machine To Drill Hole Pattern to prevent holes from being burned.

MITER CUT

If a miter cut is needed, select the head or tail cut of the part and use the Edit

Existing Operations tab. Alternately, cycle through Previous or Next until the end

needing to be mitered is selected. Enter the needed cut angle and press Update

to miter the part.


ADVANCED OPERATIONS

The Advanced Operations button is used for specialized objects, such as stored copes and weld marks.

COPE LIBRARY

Several different types of copes can be generated from the cope library. Preset values can be stored in the

database for quick reference, or the cope dimensions can be entered in manually.

TYPES OF COPES

Note: Other cope types may be available.

LENGTH CUTS

The Length Cuts section is for adding a castellation and or a rip cut to the surface

of a beam. Pick Castellation or Rip Cut from the Type dropdown menu. The type

of castellation is chosen with a radio button in the data entry area.

CASTELLATION

Generating a castellation requires giving a Hole Height (ho) (Diameter (do) for cellular) value, a Post

Width (e) value. For a hexagonal castellation, a Slope Width (b) value is needed. For a cellular

castellation, enter in the torch Kerf and the optimal gap for hole spacing will be automatically

determined.

There are several other controls to adjust the tool path, such as adding a stitch cut or setting a

cellular rise. The diagram in on the right of the window will show a diagram detailing the changes of

the currently selected field.

RIP CUT

The rip cut will add a straight cut down the length of a beam. There are options for adding a stitch cut, the length of a partial

cut, or setting how far off the cut will be from the center of the beam.

Flange Thinning Cope

Fema Cope

Rat Hole Cope

Standard Cope



TOOL PATHS

Using the drawing tools allows for simple designing of special shapes, slopes and edges to create any

feature the part needs.

DRAWING OPTIONS

The drawing options menu has options to enable a grid as well as

snapping to ensure quick and accurate placement of drawing

elements. Turning on tracking lines will measure distances

dynamically by following the mouse. It also has a toggle to switch

between cutting and scribing the part.

CONSTRUCTION LINES

Right click in the part view window to add construction lines, as well as horizontal and

vertical center lines, to help ensure accuracy when drawing objects.

BEVEL

When using a drawing tool, bevels can be added by entering an angle and depth into the drawing tab. For a back surface

bevel, use a negative value instead.

EDITING A DRAWING

SELECT

The select tool is used to select any drawing element on the object. It also allows click + drag to select multiple elements. Drawing elements can be deleted by selecting them and pressing the delete key. The ESC key will switch to the Select tool at any time. Pressing Enter will return to the last used tool.

Dragging the box to the right selects all drawing objects fully contained by the box.

Only the square will be selected.

Dragging to the left will select all drawing objects touching

the box. The square and lower circle will be selected, but

nothing else.

Width center line with

2 construction lines


UNDO + Z

Cancels last drawing. It will not be able to undo anything that has been built.

REDO +Y

Redraws anything removed by the undo tool.

DRAWING TOOLS

LINES

LINE

The Line tool draws continuous lines from one point to another until you double-click or select

another tool. Lines can also be entered in the drawing tab by giving the start point an x/y

coordinate, and then either giving the end point an x/y coordinate, or a length and angle to

travel.

DRAW RECTANGLE

With the Draw Rectangle tool, click once to start the rectangle, and click again to complete it. It will automatically create 4

separate lines at right angles to each other.

DRAW NOTCH

Enter the x and y length of the notch and any radius needed, then click on a corner to add a notch to the part.

CHAMFER FROM INTERSECT POINT

To use the Chamfer From Intersect Point tool, enter the distance from the intersection of two lines in the

drawing tab. Next, click on the intersection needing the chamfer and the line will automatically be drawn at

the correct distance.

CHAMFER FROM D1 AND D2

The Chamfer From D1 and D2 tool uses 2 separate distances from the corner along the intersecting lines to

create the start point and end point. Click on or enter the start and end coordinate to place the line.

CURVES

1” Horizontal Line

Ctrl

Ctrl



DRAW CIRCLE

To draw a circle, click on the center point (1), and then click on the end of the radius (2).

DRAW ELLIPSE

Drawing an ellipse uses the same steps as a circle, but a third point will need to be clicked to determine width.

DRAW CENTER POINT ARC

Start by drawing the radius, ending at the start of the arc (2). Then click to place the endpoint of the

arc (3). Click where you want the arc to start (1), and then click where you need to place the midpoint (2) of

the arc. Finally, add the endpoint of the arc (3).

DRAW START-END-MID ARC

First set the desired start point (1) followed by the arc’s end point (2), then place the center point (3) where

needed to complete the arc.

FILLET

To fillet two lines, select the Fillet tool and then click on the two joining lines (1 & 2) that you need to connect.

DRAW START-END-RADIUS ARC

This works similar to the Start-End-Mid arc, except a radius must be

manually entered in the drawing tab. Then, click on the side you want

to the arc to go.

OTHER TOOLS

TRIM

The Trim tool will remove part of a line that extends past an intersection. Click on the part of the line to

be removed (1) and it will be deleted from the intersect point.

EXTEND

Extend will extend a line to the nearest tangential line. To extend a line, click on the line that needs to

be extended (1), and then click on the line that it needs to extend to (2).

MIRROR SELECTED ELEMENTS ABOUT LENGTH / WIDTH

These two tools will mirror all selected drawing elements either horizontally or vertically.


MEASURE DISTANCE

The Measure Distance tool operates similar to the Line tool, but it shows a dialog box listing the

distance between the points instead of drawing a line on the part.

CMEASURE ANGLE

To use the Measure Angle tool, click on a center point, then the base line. Next, click on the angle of the item you wish

to measure. A dialog will display all the relevant information.

OFFSET LINE

When using the Offset Line tool, click on a line you want to copy, enter the distance from the original line needed for

the new line, and then click again in the direction you need to have it copied. It will automatically draw the line again parallel

to the original line.

COPY ELEMENTS

Using the Copy Elements tool, click on the element to be copied and press enter.

Next, click on an origin point, then click the distance and direction where it needs to be

copied.

MOVE ELEMENTS

Using this tool is the same as the Copy Elements tool. Click on the element to be moved and press enter. Next, click on an

origin point, then click the distance and direction where it needs to be moved.

ROTATE ELEMENTS

Select the elements you want to rotate, then click on the base location to be the pivot point of the selected elements. Move

the mouse (or enter the rotate angle into the Drawing tab) for the desired rotation, then click to set the new position.

BUILD

The Build tool is used to finalize any drawings

made to the part. Until the drawings are built,

they will not show up when finally creating the

part. Once the drawing has been built, the undo

tool will no longer affect those elements.

KERF SIDE

Lines that have not been built. Drawing with Layout Marks after

running the Build tool.



If the drawing is removing material from the wrong side of the drawing,

flipping the kerf side will often resolve the issue. Press the Flip Kerf

Side button under the Edit Existing Operations tab, then the update

button to apply the changes. This will affect tool paths that connect

two opposing sides of the part.

Kerf side normal and reversed.


LEAD IN/OUT

Setting the lead in/out point correctly will insure that any cuts on the part will be as

clean as possible.

MOVE LEAD IN/OUT LOCATION

This tool moves the lead in/out location to anywhere on the edges of the part, as

well as for any interior cuts.

CHANGE LEAD IN/OUT

This brings up the options box for adjusting the options for your lead in/out. It can

change from a curved or straight lead out, adjust the angle of lead in and out, and

the length of the lead in and lead out.

REGENERATE LEAD IN/OUT

This will regenerate the lead in/out on the part to update settings or fix any errors

with the lead in/out.

Lead In/Out options


Atek Automation | Nesting 22

NESTING

Utilize Steel Solutions’ nesting to create efficient plates, creating and running nests are all done under the Nesting Tab.

CREATE A NEW NEST

Once the Nesting Tab has been selected a blank default plate will appear, this plate will be the

default 10’ x 10. To add a new plate simply click on the Add Plate / Remnant tab, a Nest Plate

Property page will pop up. In this page you can name the plate

change the height, width, quantity, grain direction and

material grade. You can also add a PO, Vendor and Heat

number in the property page.

23 Nesting | Atek Automation

NESTING PARTS

Nesting parts starts with importing parts into the parts area. To imports the parts, click on the Open Parts tab. After clicking

the tab a page will pop up where files are stored on the network, select the parts needed to be cut. When importing DXF files

you will have to

add the Part

Information; Job,

Sequence, Jobpage,

Grade, Qty and

plate size.

Once selected, the parts will appear in the parts area

showing part names, quantities and thickness. It will

show the number of parts and the quantity available to

cut.

When you select the part you have the ability to change its properties in the Selected

Parts display which is under the parts area. These properties include tabs for the Part Info,

Shape Data, Extract Data and Extra File Data.

Part Info tab will allow changes to the Job, Sequence, Job Page, MaterialGrade, Part Name

and the Quantity.

Shape Data tab will let you change the Section, Shape, and size

of the part.

Extra Data tab will let you change the part location



Extra File Data Tab will allow changes to the Code

Profile, DXF Layers Found, File Name, File Path, File

Shape, Force Mirror, Grain Direction and Prioity.

Force Mirror will tell the Auto Nest feature mirror only

that selected part

You can set the Priority of the part, Auto Nest will nest

the higher priority parts first.

In the Parts Details area there is a selection for Ignore Part Thickness, if

this box is checked all parts will be nested onto the plate regardless of

thickness. The box should be unchecked so parts will be nested onto the

proper plates.

AUTO NESTING

Pressing the Auto Nest tab will nest parts onto all open plates. To nest on one platen only have one plate

open, to nest on multiple plates have multiple open. Auto Nest will nest all parts available onto each plate

available per the thickness of the plates.

AUTONEST CONFIGURATION

To configure the Autonest function press the

Plate Settings button. A screen will pop up

with two tabs, General and Nesting, select the

Nesting tab to configure. In this tab there are

many settings that adjust the Autonest process.

TRUE SHAPE

True Shape Nest feature allows for the optimum utilization of the material by letting smaller parts

be nested within the holes of bigger parts, and interlocks parts together. It also nests parts along

the edges of remnant plates. Default will be checked.


ZONE NEST

Zone Nest

OPTIMIZER

The Optimizer Slow uses multiple algorithms to determine the most optimal arrangement of

parts on the plate. However, due to its intensive algorithms, this can take a very long time to

run. The time depends on several factors, such as the processing power of the computer, how many parts there are, and the

step angle setting. This can be enabled or disabled by checking the box in the plate settings menu. Due to the time required

to run, this feature is best used on more expensive materials.

Turbo Mode does not arrange parts as well as the Optimizer Slow but it is quite a bit faster.

Turbo mode will be the selected default.

BEST NEST DIRECTION

Best Nest Direction will nest parts by either horizontally or vertically, whichever allows for

best utilization. Will be unselected as default.

NEST PLATE ALONG WIDTH

Nest Along Plate Width will nest parts along the width of the plate other than the length.

Will be unselected as default.

DISABLE QUICK ORIENTATION REJECTION

Disable Quick Orientation Rejection allows the part to be nested in any orientation,

disregarding the step angle. Will be unselected as default.

PART IN PART

Having this feature on will allow parts to be nested within each other. Will be selected as

default.

Sheets generated from incremental nesting can possess material islands lying entirely

within holes in the sheet geometry. These material islands exist due to the holes present

in the parts that were nested on the sheet in the previous nesting session. The user may want to use these material islands

first and then nest the parts on the remaining sheet space. Due to this feature, the space lying within material islands will not

go waste. Will be selected as default.



Some parts contain large holes. In nesting smaller parts can fit within the holes of the larger

parts. However, while cutting, if the larger parts get cut first, then the entire area that lies

within the holes also gets cut first, and could be wasted. This feature will nest the smaller parts in the holes of the larger parts

first. This will ensure that the space lying within the holes of the larger parts does not go waste. This optimizes the material

usage while cutting the nested parts. Will be selected as default.

FLAT END FIT

Flat End Fit will match the last parts of nest by their flat end to leave a square or rectangle

remnant. Will be unselected as default.

TOLERANCE

Tolerance function will allow parts larger than the plate to be nested and cut. Will be

unselected as default

CONNECTED DISTANCE

Connected Distance sets the minimum distance to be considered for joining two parts.

STEP ANGLE

The Step Angle option defines how many degrees of rotation the auto-nesting algorithm will

test for each part before deciding how it should be placed on the plate nest. The smaller this

degree is set, the longer the nesting algorithm will take to complete the nest. Default will be 90 for structural parts.

CUTTER DIAMETER

Cutter Diameter indicates the diameter of the tool used for cutting the parts.

MAX PART LIST

Max Part List sets the max amount of parts listed. Default will be 1000

RESOLUTION

Resolution is the degree of accuracy of the nested pattern. The resolution value can be

set based on the size of the parts and sheets. The higher the resolution the faster the

nesting process, the smaller the resolution the more accurate the process is. Default will be .01

SEQUENCE PART

Sequence Part sets the type of sequence in which parts are to be nested. In Area the

parts are nested in decreasing order by their surface are, in Perimeter the parts are

nested by their outmost perimeter. Default will be By Area.


PART-PART DISTANCE

Part-Part Distance tells Steel Solutions how to compute the minimum distance

between parts. Default will be D1+D2+C

OFFSET CORNER TYPES

Offset Corner Types tells how to change the corner type of the offset, Fillet will be

angled, Linear will be straight. Default will be Linear.

MIRROR PARTS

Mirror Parts is used for nesting the mirror image of all parts to utilize maximum space.

Default will be unselected.

MANUAL NESTING

A part can be nested manually by double clicking on it while it is in the parts area. From there, click on the part in the work

area and drag it to where needed. Using CTRL + arrow keys on the keyboard will quickly snap the part in the direction

pressed. Clicking on the black boxes surrounding the part will allow finer control of the part. The boxes in the corners will let

you rotate the part, with the other boxes snapping the part in a direction.

COLLISION DETECTION

If a part overlaps or is placed too close to another part, it will be highlighted red. Adjust the part

to a safe location and the color will return to normal. Detection can be forced by right clicking in

the work area and clicking Check Collision.

ROTATE NEST

You can rotate a part by right-clicking on it and selecting Rotate Nest. This opens a window asking for the degree of rotation

desired for the selected part. The part can also be rotated dragging the black box in one of

the four corners, or pressing SHIFT +any arrow key.

Parts can also be mirrored by right-clicking on the part and selecting Mirror X, or Mirror Y.


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COMMONLINE PARTS

Multiple quantity parts can be combined into a single common line part so

they can cut in a single pass. Clicking Auto Common line All Parts will allow

all selected parts to find common lines.

CHAIN CUT

A chain cut will connect multiple parts from lead-in to lead-out,

causing the parts to be burned all at once. Any changes to the group

will be performed as if it was a single part. To chain parts together,

enable the Chain Cut button, and click on the exterior paths of the parts to link together.

Press chain cut again to end the chain and save it. You can build a chain cut by right

clicking on the plate then selecting Build Chain Cut.

PLATE REMNANT

When a plate has run through production, the remaining material is saved in an assigned folder for re-use. Crop lines can be

added to plates, and nest creation can load the remnant in inventory. Steel Solution will Auto Nest around the crop lines.

ADD CROP LINE

Opens the remnant editor to add crop line to the plate for remnant creation. Can also be

accessed by right clicking on the plate.

DELETE CROP LINE

Removes the crop lines from the plate.

LOAD REMNANTS

Opens and loads saved remnant plates.

29 plate remnant | Atek Automation

ADD CROP LINES

Press the Add Crop Line button to load the crop line application. From here, lines are drawn on the plate

using the tools from Steel Solution’s programming application. A line must be drawn separating the

remnant area from the scrap.

Once the crop line has been drawn on the plate, use Create New

Remnant to have the remnant material added back into inventory.

CREATE NEW REMNANT

After pressing Create New Remnant, click on the side of the plate that needs to be saved as the remnant. A screen will pop

up asking where to save and what to name the plate.

LOAD REMNANT

Loading a remnant plate can be done by pressing the Remnants button. A list of available remnant plates will be shown,

along with a preview of the plates. Select the remnant from the list and then load remnant to add it to the nesting screen.


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OTHER TOOLS

MEASURE

After activating the Measure tool, clicking once will place a marker,

and clicking on another part of the nest will report the distance

between that spot and the first marker. You can also right-click on

the plate to access the Measure tool.

LEAD IN/LEAD OUT

To move the Lead In/Lead Out simply right click on a part, select Move LIO, then click the location desired

on the part.

CUT ORDER

Displays the order in which the parts will be cut from the plate. The order can be changed by right clicking on the

plate, selecting Cut Order then clicking the parts in the order desired.

MAKE CLUSTER

To group multiple parts together on the plate, hold down the CTRL key and click on the parts you

want to group together. Then right click and select Make Clusters.

31 plate remnant | Atek Automation

PRINTING

Print Preview shows a preview of the nest as it will prints.

Print Nest sends the current nest to the printer.

The Nest Print Option pops up after clicking on both Print Preview and Print Nest. The

Print Option screen allows you to decide how detailed your nest will be when printed.

Print nest plate drawing will print the shape of the plate and the parts on the plate. It

will print the cut order of the parts, the plate summary and part details will print the

part name, hole sizes on part, thickness, size of plate, grain direction and name of

plate.

CNC EXPORT

Click the Export CNC button to export the nest to different cutting systems. A screen will pop us after

clicking where you can choose your system.

Type Choose between Controlled Automation, Burny10, and Hypertherm.

Start Corner will export a different start corner.

Dwell Time

You can also choose not to export interior cut paths, or to export layout

marks for holes by checking the two boxes.


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GENERAL SETTINGS

The General Settings are located under the plate setup button.

The General Settings will allow changes to

the Default Plate, Cut Order, Drill Pierce,

Cut Sequence and Export Path. The Default

Plate will let you change the default plate

name, height and width, quantity and grain

direction. On Cut Order you can have the

machine scribe the paths before cutting

and to point and drill before cutting by

selecting the boxes. On Drill Pierce you can

select the box to have the holes drilled

instead of burned. You can also turn off the

crash detects and part color fills, which is

not advised. The distance between nested

parts and distance moved are also changed

here. Under Cut Sequence you can change

the start corner, direction of the plate, and

style of cut. The start corner will be set at

Lower Left, the direction will be Width, and

the style will be Continuous. Finally, you

can change the export path selecting browse and choose the desired location.

steel solutions user guide - atekautomation.com

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