User instructions

Interactive nesting has several possible uses:-

• With the size variety and complexity of shapes likely to be encountered in many aircraft part kits, higher material utilisation is likely to be achieved using the Interactive nesting method, either to produce new Nest result files "from scratch", or to improve those already generated automatically.
• Interactive nesting is used when it is necessary to modify an existing Nest result file, for example to replace or add new plies, or to change the inkjet printed text.

8.1 New Nest result files

These are produced Interactively by first opening the Interactive nesting icon. A window will appear requesting specification of the Nest table (.nst) to be used. Clicking the grey button will open the area of the "partdef " directory where all the existing Nest tables are stored.

A Nest table should be selected and "Open" pressed, a prompt will then appear to start nesting, select this.

The main Interactive nesting screen will appear showing machine and nest data and a black representation of the machine cutting area, with the material extremities outlined in green. Click in the area above the green line with the right mouse button to bring up a list of ply placement tools. Drag this to a convenient location (RHS of page), and "pin" in place using the left-hand mouse button.

Also visible will be one, of possibly several smaller, screens showing the various patterns to be nested. "Next" and "Prev" show the additional pages of patterns. These patterns may be viewed at either a maximised or scale size to each other.

8.1.1. Nesting process

• To commence pattern placement, ensure that "Nest pattern" is selected on the "Tools " menu sheet.
• Click the required first pattern with the RH mouse button, a menu will appear offering pattern info or a pattern rotation selection, highlight "selection".
• Select the initial desired pattern rotation using the LH mouse button. The pattern will appear outlined in blue in the machine bed area.
• Now place the pattern by clicking the LH mouse button with the pointer within the pattern perimeter.
• On successful placement the pattern outline will change to white.
• Repeat this process for the next pattern required

Subsequent patterns will initially appear in blue in the bottom LH corner of the machine bed. If they are superimposed over an existing pattern they must first be dragged to a clear table space before they can be placed.( hold down LH mouse button within pattern perimeter, drag pattern, then release mouse button)

If the pattern remains partially over a previous pattern, or insufficient area exists for successful placement, the pattern will return to the pattern selection window when the LH mouse button is released

Once patterns are placed on the table they can be moved and manipulated by selection of the functions in the "Tools" menu. These are:-

Nest Pattern- this allows patterns to be manually moved around the screen � Select pattern with the LH mouse button and keeping this depressed drag the pattern to the required position

Rotation- patterns can be rotated by clicking the RH mouse button whilst inside the pattern.

Bump and slide- this allows sliding of a pattern as close as possible to their neighbours or the material roll edge. It is useful to ensure common line cutting ( where geometry permits), and to "tighten up" nestings. May be used on a single or window of parts

• Select pattern with LH mouse button and release button, pattern outline turns blue,
• With pointer on pattern, hold down "Ctrl" key, press and hold LH mouse button
• Drag pointer in desired slide direction, it should be followed by a pale blue line
• Release mouse button, the selected pattern will now slide in the line direction until an obstacle is encountered

Delete pattern- deletes pattern when selected with LH button

Zoom window- useful for ensuring accurate placement of parts and confirming common line cutting � Open by holding down LH mouse button on one corner of desired area and stretching area by dragging. Selected area appears as dotted red outline When all patterns are nested or the material area is full and no more patterns can be placed, select the "Create result" button at the top left of the main sheet, then "Start object /ASCII". A message may appear asking whether the previously generated Nest result file should be overwritten, or a new result file with an increment to the .000 extension will be generated. Respond as appropriate. This will initiate generation of the Nest result file and also Post-process this to give an Object file, (machining program). The DOS screen will be displayed whilst this occurs.

On completion, the identity of the Nest result file generated will be displayed. The identity of the corresponding Object file can be found from the Console log as previously described.

If some patterns remain to be nested, enter the next number in sequence in the "Table" field at the top right of the main menu window and press "Return". This will clear all patterns from the table and allow nesting of the remaining shapes into the next table length of cloth.

When all patterns are nested, exit "interactive nesting", The object files generated in K:partpgm are ready for use by the machine once copied into K: partlive directory, see section 10.

8.2 Modifications to existing Nest result files

There will be occasions where it is desired to modify an existing Nest result file and from this generate a new Object file.

This may occur when for example:-

• a dimensional change has been made to a ply contained within a nest, and a new ply is to be substituted, or
• an additional ply is to be added to a nest, or
• text printed on the plies is required to be changed

In either instance the corresponding Nest table (.nst), must first be amended to reflect the change and the additional or new versions of original IGES or GEO files added (and Pre-processed as appropriate), as per Section 5.2 Printing text changes should also be edited.

Next go into "Interactive nesting" as previously described and "Open" and "Start" the required Nest table. When the main screen appears it will as previously show a blank table with no patterns nested. Re-nesting of all patterns from scratch, as previously described in 8.1.1, may be performed from this point if desired.

If however modification is required to an existing individual Nest result file, then open the "Run I.D" field at the page top left. Shown are all the existing Nest result files stored in the partdef directory

The required existing Nest result file should be selected, then press "Open", then "Load". Now shown will be one individual Nest of patterns with all others from the Nest table remaining in the pattern selection window.

If the new Geo file versions of any of the plies previously nested have changes to their outside perimeters, they may now be shown as overlapping their neighbours, which must be corrected by repositioning them before Post-processing is possible.

The patterns nested, and any additional plies, can now be manipulated, exchanged, deleted etc until the modified nest is complete. Then again select "Create result\ start object ASCII " to generate new Nest result and Object files.

Note, if printed text only has been altered in the Nest table, i.e. no ply positional changes have been made, after "Create result" select "Create Nest result" to ensure a new Nest result file is generated.

If this is not done the new ply identities for printing will not be transferred to a new object file generated from the original Nest result file, even though the Nest table has been edited, unless a new nest result is also generated. This is because information, on the original ply identities used, remains contained within the original Nest result file, as can been seen if it is opened with the "Notepad" facility.

After text editing and generation of the new Nest result file, load the new nest result file into the " Run ID" field as necessary, select "Start object/ASCII" to produce a new Object file with the new ply identities correctly incorporated.

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