Single Component Automatic Processing ( SCAP ) also allows entire directories of CAD files to be automatically tooled .
Free-form nesting
In 2017 , BIZ decided to automate the nesting process , adding JETCAM ’ s free-form automatic nesting ( FFAN ) to its licenses .
“ The amount of time that free-form nesting saved us was crazy . One of my colleagues programs the nests for go-karts and it ’ s literally halved his time spent on JETCAM and with better results ,” explained Peter Smith .
In 2019 , the company purchased a NUKON REX 315 4kW fibre laser-cutting system . Although the software was supplied with a competing system , BIZ specified that it wanted to continue using JETCAM to drive all its machines , so it contacted JETCAM to develop a postprocessor .
Peter Smith noted : “ The company gave us a demo of the other nesting software , and one of our engineers had used it in the past . However , we didn ’ t want to operate two
A selection of project examples from BIZ Engineering
Fruit weighing stations
BIZ regularly manufactures complex sheet and tubular fabrications . One recent project involved fabricating a series of fruit weighing stations for a packaging conveyor line in a highhygiene environment . This project involved sheet and tube laser cutting ; tube bending ; CNC forming ; TIG welding and glass bead blasting .
Fruit weighing station for packaging conveyor line . systems in-house as JETCAM has always run any machine without issue . Also , we know how helpful the company has been in the past in getting new machines up and running , so we were confident that it could do the same with this new fibre laser .”
A postprocessor was written , based on information and sample NC code , was supplied . It was installed and operational within a day .
“ The new post worked immediately , and minor features were added as new requirements were discovered ,” confirmed Peter Smith .
In 2020 , BIZ purchased a TRUMPF TruLaser 1030 L88 laser-cutting system , again contacting JETCAM for a postprocessor . A new post was developed the same month , with Peter Smith citing that there were no issues after installation . Additional time was spent to optimise the runtime estimation , which had knock-on benefits .
“ More accurate runtime estimations mean that not only are our quotes much more accurate , but our lead times have also improved as we can schedule jobs much more effectively ,” explained BIZ .
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic , the AXIS router was also used to manufacture PPE products using new acrylic materials . BIZ contacted JETCAM , who assisted in ensuring that the system was configured correctly for quality cuts .
Looking to the future
Peter Smith professes himself very satisfied with JETCAM ’ s levels of support ,
“ Compared to , for example , our MRP system we get very few issues with JETCAM , and any that we do are resolved quickly , often
Cycle parking system .
Cycle parking systems
This project involved fabricating and assembling bespoke products to a customer ’ s design . It required laser cutting ; punching ; bending ; stud welding ; zinc plating ; powder coating and assembly .
High-rise balconies
BIZ Engineering supplies well-established construction companies with components such as balconies ; drainage trays ; soffits ; fascias plus wall and roof cladding . It was involved on a £ 60m City Road , London , high-rise project .
FOCUS ON CAD / CAM
About JETCAM International s . a . r . l .
JETCAM International has been developing and distributing its JETCAM Expert range of CADCAM software since 1986 , serving the sheet-metal and aerospace / automotive composite cutting industries . In use in 82 countries worldwide , JETCAM award-winning software supports most CNC punching , laser , plasma , routing , waterjet and flatbed cutting machines available today , and provides automation and Industry 4.0 IIoT connectivity .
instantly , via remote connection ,” he said . Consolidating all nesting with a single system also constantly delivers benefits .
“ The upgrade to free-form nesting probably saved us half a day per week , and adding a post as opposed to implementing and learning other systems is a massive time and cost saving . For training alone , we would have needed 4-5 days per user ,” continued Smith .
“ While we have seen many benefits over nearly 30 years of using JETCAM , free-form nesting delivered a significant improvement and the support to get new machines going has been superb . Going forward , our next step is to link JETCAM to our MRP system using our JOC Lite licenses to import orders for nesting , and to take advantage of other features in the software to further automate our manufacturing processes ,” he added . n
. bizengineering . com
Cladding for Hackney sixth-form centre
BIZ Engineering was contracted to manufacture a bespoke cladding cassette system for the new Hackney Sixth Form Centre . This initially involved modelling the panel system in SolidWorks based on architectural drawings supplied by the client . Panels were punched and laser cut from 3mm thick aluminium , then welded and powder coated before final delivery to site .