Nesting add-in

Use the Nesting add-in to nest multiple parts and machine them from a single stock using PowerShape's nesting tool.

You must have PowerShape open to use the add-in, and you can only nest parts which have a solid model.

To use the Nesting add-in:

1. Load the Nesting.bas add-in.
2. Select Add-Ins tab > Macros panel > Nesting.

   The Nesting To FeatureCAM dialog is displayed.

3. In the Stock list, select the block in which you want to nest the parts.

   Select an existing block to nest additional parts in a block you created previously, or select New Block to start a new block.

4. In the fields around the stock diagram, enter the dimensions of the block in which you want to nest the parts.
5. Enter the Distance between parts to specify the minimum distance you want to leave between the nested parts on the block.
6. Enter a Text height to specify the height of the text label on each part.
7. Click Add and use the Open dialog to select the parts you want to nest.
8. Enter the Quantity to specify how many duplicates of each part you want to nest in the block.
9. Enter the Priority to determine which parts to nest first. The parts with lowest Priority are nested first. For parts with the same Priority, the largest parts are nested first.
10. Enter the Rotation increment to specify the smallest increment by which the part can be rotated when nesting. You may be able to fit more parts in a block by reducing the Rotation increment.
11. To remove a part from the dialog, select the row and click Delete.
12. Click OK to nest the parts.

    FeatureCAM opens each file and puts all the features in each file into a group, then adds the features to a new FM file. The solids are sent to PowerShape and nested using PowerShape's nesting tool.

    When the nesting is completed in PowerShape, a message dialog is displayed telling you to modify the positions of the parts in PowerShape if necessary.

13. Modify the position of the parts in PowerShape, then click OK to close the message dialog.

    The positions of the parts are updated in FeatureCAM.

    A message dialog is displayed asking if you want to save the stock.

14. Click Yes to run a 3D simulation and save the stock. This enables you to nest additional parts in this block later.

    You can select saved stocks in the Stock list in the Nesting To FeatureCAM dialog to nest additional parts in a saved stock.

15. A message dialog is displayed when the nesting is completed. Click OK to close the dialog.