Free CAD/CAM Nesting Software with Ajan Plasma

One of several factors which sway users towards the Ajan CNC Plasma Cutting Machines is their offer of free CAD/CAM software with every machine. Their AJANCAM software features powerful CAD/CAM functionality controlling the importing, processing and nesting of DXF files and the production of cut-ready output files for the plasma machine. 

Free software is often lacking in functionality or of substandard design. AJANCAM is feature rich, regularly updated and offers functionality which is almost always chargeable with equivalent software from other suppliers.

Read on for a more detailed overview of AJANCAM including the functionality of the separate CAD and CAM modules.

The CAD Module

As well as importing drawings, the CAD module can be used to draw parts from scratch using standard CAD drawing tools, including the use of lines, arcs, circles, ellipses, slots, rectangles and polygons. Imported DXF drawings can also be modified and saved down ready for nesting. As well as producing DXF drawings the CAD module includes a standard shape library of common parts which can be modified as required; these include a wide variety of flanges, base plates and other fittings.

Sometimes DXF files drawn in other software will be unsuitable for nesting due to a variety of common drawing errors which are not picked up until the nesting routine fails. Examples of this are where the part outline is not completely closed due to drawn lines not actually meeting, or where lines are overlapping. The AJANCAM CAD module can run an error detection routine and automatically fix these errors ready for nesting. 

Another part of preparing DXF drawings for cutting may include removing extraneous detail such as annotations leaving a clean outline which will be interpreted as the cut path. The CAD module also gives the option of formatting lines for marking rather than cutting, as well as giving the option to add text directly from the software.

The CAM Module

Once the drawings have been prepared, the CAM module looks after all aspects of nesting them onto the material, using either manual or automatic nesting. Single or multiple drawings can be imported in one batch, the required quantities selected, and then nested to the appropriate sheet. The software gives full control over the sheet size, plasma process and nesting strategy. 

The CAM module has the facility to program nests with cutting strategies such as common line cutting, part connections and micro-joints. It also includes the ability to manage sheet stock and remnants as well as calculate cutting time and cost.

Finally the CAM module will output the NC cutting file along with the option to print a report to paper or PDF giving the operator full details of the task in hand.

Conclusion

For a free of charge software we find AJANCAM to be feature rich and very user friendly; many of the features included would be chargeable add ons with other plasma software. If you are considering an Ajan plasma cutting machine, why not download the software and familiarise yourself with it?

The software can be downloaded from this page; alternatively, get in touch with us to find out more. You can reach us on 01785 336732, at sales@bisonmachinery.co.uk or via our contact page. The Ajan Plasma Cutting Machine range is available to view on our website here.