Columbus nesting software

I don't use Columbus software and I am not quite familiar with the word nesting.

Nesting in my opinion could mean 2 things.

1) Nesting could be repetitive depth cuts with the same tool path. It can be improved by

a) eliminating lifts between passes. (remove z axis move up) if relative moves are used the up must be deducted from the plunge distance.

b) you could always try and eliminate one or more passes by increasing the plunge distance.

c) you could also increasing the number of pases and save time by increasing the feed rate.

2) nesting can also mean what I call tiling. A number of parts are produced from a sheet.

a) the parts should be cut out in a zigzag sequence.

b) the shortest move between parts must be used - select x or y zigzag

c) repeating a common cut can be eliminated or replaced with a faster surfacing cut for the second pass.

d) I use a program to export absolute coordinates but setting the base point for each part can also be done.

I hope my understanding of nesting is correct! I developed my system ±27 years ago and selected my own terminology.

Hello Sern. I saw Columbus used at a company I once worked. I agree that it seemed pretty slow. Where I work now we use ProNest by MTC Software (www.mtc-software.com). ProNest has very fast and efficient automatic nesting and many other advanced features specific to different cutting processes (plasma, laser, waterjet, oxy). Another really nice feature is that regardless of the machine manufacturer and cutting process ProNest can be used to give great results with them all.

Hello Sern,

I know the software, and it is as it is. I changed the nesting software and use SigmaNEST software now. SigmaNEST is really working fast and very effective !

Best regards,

Bert Hendriks The Netherlands

I have used Columbus nesting software and I agree that it is slow and a bit complicated to use. I will be using it more in the new year and need to learn alot about it fast.... does not seem to be much info about it online.