Nesting 2D Components In 3DEXPERIENCE DELMIA

Efficiency and material waste optimization are fundamental to the manufacturing process. Sheet metal nesting plays a vital role in reducing waste, lowering costs, and maximizing production. With 3DEXPERIENCE DELMIA, manufacturers can take nesting to the next level, optimising layouts, streamline processes, and seamlessly connect design to production within a single collaborative platform.

Multiple 2D gear designs nested onto one sheet ordered by bounding box

An Overview of the Nesting Setup Tool

The nesting functionality uses algorithms to automatically generate optimized layouts, taking into account factors such as material type, sheet size, grain direction, and part spacing. Users also have the flexibility to refine nests interactively, balancing automation with control.

A key advantage of DELMIA is its native integration with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. By eliminating file translations and maintaining associativity with design data, any upstream changes are quickly reflected in nesting layouts, reducing errors and saving time.

Part quantities can be altered post nesting to optimise material use

Additional optimisation can be performed through the nesting options. Spacing can be driven by the bounding box of the parts as well as the real contour. Applying an edge offset can also be applied in the X and Y directions to reduce the risk of part movement.

Nesting by real contour with applied edge offset

Sheet Metal Nesting Case Study

This short case study will outline the nesting process for 2 gear design files, each requiring 30 iterations on the same 500×500 sheet.

For this case study, the Laser and Waterjet Cutting application will be used.

Once a machine has been assigned, select Import and Mount Resource and select Import Manufacturing Product.

Once the design files have been added, the nesting tool can be used.

Select parts to nest

The first page available in the nesting tool is the parts window. At this stage, the quantity of each component can be assigned.

Part quantity and material assignment

Following onto the stock page for assigning sheet size and thickness.

Stock size assignment

Finally, options can be implemented for spacing and offsets.

Nesting options

Select ‘compute’ to see a preview of the nest. If the results are expected, select ‘OK’. If alterations are required, select ‘remove result’ and change any necessary parameters.

Resulting nest

To make alterations to existing nests, select nesting in the setup menu and select Update the current nesting solution.

Removal of secondary component and real contour nesting for single design with 40 iterations

2D Components