RADAN Version 2021

CAD/CAM

RADAN 2021 takes an important step for manufacturers operating punching machines, and who want to optimize batches of nests. It is now possible to use Radnest Ultimate on punch.

Optimizing nests with the module can reduce the number of raw material sheets by eight per cent in a year.

Set-up sheets can now be automatically generated and sent to each machine, saving around 50 minutes in an average day of producing up to 80 nests. The NC code for the job goes to the machine, and the set-up sheet to the operator.

Radm-ax/Radtube

The 2021 release overcomes the issue of hazardous holes – created when pieces of metal are left in a dangerous position after a hole has been cut in a tube. Extra cuts can now be carried out, dividing the slugs into smaller chunks which fall out more readily.

Three important updates to multi-part nesting:

The ability to import order and job numbers, which include details of which order the parts belong to, so they can be kept together for assembly. Everything can be tracked right through the shop floor. This is achieved via CSV import or by manually modifying data in the multinester and displaying it.
It is now possible to start manufacturing automatically from a full assembly, without needing to take individual shapes, sizes or material into consideration. Everything is automatically calculated from the assembly, straight into the nesting engine with the order and job numbers.
A new Tube Purchasing Report has been added, detailing what materials are required for a job, either from stock, or that need to be purchased.

Common line cutting can now be carried out even if the ends have cutouts in the design. Two overlapping cuts can be converted to a common line cut sequence where two specific aspects are met; firstly, the end features must be produced with a single cut; and secondly, the end cuts must overlap by at least 25 per cent. This means that up to three-quarters of all tube parts can now be considered for common line cutting.

Radbend

A new option improves collision checking during automatic sequencing. It is particularly valuable when bending long, thin parts such as guttering.

Radbend now reduces handling when calculating sequences automatically, by lessening the need for tool and part rotations. Every time operators have to turn a part around, either by themselves or with a colleague, it takes time. This new piece of functionality calculates a better sequence meaning it can be fed into the machine in little steps, improving the handling.

The tool editor now shows important additional information by default, making it more user-friendly.

Radquote

Cutting strategies can now be specified on a part in Radquote. It asks how the parts are to be cut.

RADAN 3D drawing files can be added to the quote, complementing its ability to read directly from CAD files created by systems such as SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo and Catia.

A 2D shape can quickly be modified in Radraft now and updated in Radquote. Some quoting systems on the market can’t easily change a part graphically. The benefit of this enhancement to Radquote, is that if you’ve received a file that’s not 100 per cent accurate it can readily be edited in Radraft and the updated file read by Radquote.

RADAN | Designer

A number of items of new and enhanced functionality have been added to the Designer module, including “dramatic improvements” to sending the finished design to CAM.

There are six different ways of sending RADAN Designer data into RADAN CAD/CAM, including sending flat patterns of all parts to be added to a nest project, and sending a single part for opening geometry in the part editor.” RADAN Designer now indicates bends where the design radius differs from the expected result radius when using V-width as the unfolding method. This is important for the unfolding process, and the finished look of the component.

Feedback is now provided on overlapping unfolds. Sometimes, when a 3D model is unfolded, it doesn’t work – faces clash on top of each other. The user is now notified of this and shown the issue graphically.

Another new function adds watertight corner reliefs, showing in 2D what it will look like to make in 3D. And the Split Edge command can now deal with arcs, making it faster to open a closed edge.