Cutting software automatically creates NC programs from customer orders

ESAB Welding & Cutting Products has released Columbus® CAD/CAM nesting software version 1.3 for plasma, oxyfuel, laser, and waterjet cutting.

It includes the new Job Wizard, which automatically creates NC programs from customer orders. For the parts and plates within a customer’s library that are marked for automatic process, this feature can automatically nest all parts on the correct plates and assign the best machine to cut the part based on strategy settings. For job shops, these functions can be performed automatically within minutes after a customer releases the order.

The software also now features a simpler, optimized, menu-driven user interface. The workspace can be customized by hiding or showing all features in each section and organizing the different menus with dockable windows over more than one monitor. Other enhancements include a zoom overlay window that shows details without zooming the complete layout, as well as visual control for users to detect parts on a table grid that will tilt after cut.