Positioning the Parts on the Build Tray

In this step, you will automatically position the parts to minimize material loss.

  1. From the Setup section of the action bar, click Build Layout .
    In the Build Layout dialog box, click Part and select a part.
  2. In the dialog box, click Rules and select Create New Rules from the list, then enter a name in the Rules name box.
  3. Define the Layout Rules.

    For more information, see Rules for Positioning Parts on the Build Tray.

  4. From the Rules Management dialog box, select Edit Exclusion Zones and do the following:
    1. From the context toolbar, select New Exclusion Zone or New Free Form Exclusion Zone to define an exclusion zone on the build tray or on the part.

      For more information, see Flyout for New Exclusion Zone.

    2. Optional: Remove a part from the Exclusion Zones list, select one or multiple exclusion zones from the list using the Ctrl key, and select Remove.
    3. Select OK.

      Note: When exclusion zones are specified, part nesting takes place by considering the bounding box of the exclusion zone part geometry bounding box, and not their true contour.

    Links to the exclusion zones are saved.
  5. Optional: In the Build Layout dialog box, specify part orientation options.

    For more information, see Orientation Preparation.

  6. Click Generate Nesting .
    • If in Layout Rules, Nesting Options is set to either Nesting 3D With Bounding Box of the Part or Nesting 3D With Real Contour of the Part, the Generate 3D Nesting dialog box displays.
    • Else, the parts are directly positioned on the build tray according to the defined parameters.
  7. In the Generate 3D Nesting dialog box, you can preview the nesting process and its result.
    1. Click Start to launch the nesting process.

      A progress bar displays, as well as the completion status and the number of nested parts. The 3D view is updated on each addition of a part on the build tray.

    2. Optional: You can stop the nesting process by either:

      • Selecting the Stop after first solution option: the nesting process stops when the first solution is computed
      • Selecting the Stop after option: the nesting process stops at the specified time
      • Clicking Stop.

    3. Click OK to accept the result, or Cancel to reject it.
      If you click OK, the Generate 3D Nesting dialog box closes. The Build Layout dialog box reopens with the nested parts at their computed positions and orientations.
  8. Click OK to save your selection.

Next step: Defining Part Orientation