Page 32 - MetalForming April 2016

Programming for 3D Laser Cutting
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Fig. 1—The programmer’s list of tasks includes locating the part’s CAD file within the work envelope of the machine, properly placing the part on its fixture within the 3D working envelope, represented here as a pink box.
programming for 2D versus 3D.
Programming for 2D Parts
Regardless of the 2D laser-cutting machine and software program used, an operator generally has the following goal: cut as many quality parts as quickly as possible, using as lit- tle material as possible and without causing damage to the laser system or its components.
Material utilization often is the highest priority in 2D processing, as hundreds of individual parts or dozens of unique part numbers might come from one sheet of raw material. Most software options offer and focus on nesting solutions to maximize yield. The best programs offer addi- tional support, such as routines that will minimize the dam- age caused by the nozzle collisions that can occur if the cutting head contacts the sheet or a tipped part. Since the cut- ting head can only approach the sheet from above with a 2D laser-cutting machine, the possible collision areas are min- imal. Also, a skilled programmer can easily add microtabs to keep parts in place and prevent tipping, or sequence the cut- ting path in the nest to accommodate parts that are likely to tip. However, when processing 3D parts on a multiaxis machine, the potential for collision increases significantly.
Production for 3D Parts
The main objective of any laser-cutting software is to allow a fabricator to move from offline programming to real production as seamlessly as possible. Processing 3D parts, as compared to 2D parts, becomes more complex. Thankfully, by following a simple process programmers can make a fluid transition from 2D to 3D programming.
First, the programmer should ensure that the fixture and part CAD files contain all of the features the operator will experience in production. The file should be as detailed as possible, including references accommodation for any clamps, hoses and other elements that the cutting head may encounter during fabrication. Any omitted features in the CAD system could be a source of collision during laser
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30 MetalForming/April 2016
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