Industry Summary Articles

Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence has launched RADAN Designer, a new piece of specialist CAD-for-CAM software specifically for sheet metal. This module will form a part of RADAN’s CAD/CAM functionality in preparing parts for bending, nesting and cutting. From model design to part repair and modification, it will take geometry through to manufacture.

While the module is available on the new RADAN 2020.1 pricelist, existing RADAN 3D users have the option of a free upgrade. It contains a material library and several calculation methods to create the correct unfolded shape.

A major innovation in RADAN 2020.1 allows for an endless nesting workflow. The new release delivers a more flexible, fluent approach, by enabling parts for additional jobs to continuously go on to the nest. As common cutting is becoming increasingly popular, RADAN’s support for it has been extended with a new Common Grid Cutting algorithm. An additional safety check has been added to detect floating scrap in punching programs.

Four significant items of new functionality have been added to the Radtube module. Firstly, with information to feed nesters increasingly coming from ERP systems, Radtube can now use CSV files, which specify the name of the product, quantity, and other parameters, negating the need to key them in again. Secondly, color coding of specific parts ensures quick identification. This runs through from the design stage and set-up sheet, so the part can be identified immediately when the machine has finished cutting, so the operator doesn’t have to rely on recognizing it by shape or size.

The other two items follow on from that and are also linked to identification: improved reporting so that documentation going to the shop floor includes the color coordination, and introducing a simple line font instead of a more intricate TrueType font for text marking and imprinting parts.

In the previous release of RADAN, an option was introduced to import 3D files into Radquote, but they had to be single part files. In 2020.1, any multi-body or assembly files can be added.

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