Hexagon Presents Radan Sheet Metal Workflows at FABTECH

Posted by Gianni Dessi

Demonstrations cover cycle-time estimates, order tracking, marking and press brake simulation; some capabilities preview forthcoming updates.

Image: Hexagon

Hexagon is presenting Radan CAD/CAM developments at FABTECH (#C6048) that estimate production time during part import and preserve order information through nesting. The company is also showing “Designer Sheet Metal” capabilities and plans to demonstrate press brake programming and simulation workflows.

“Fabricators need to respond to changing orders without programming becoming a bottleneck or machines waiting for work,” said Rob McConnell, director of product management at Hexagon’s production software division. “Radan combines support for different machines and fabrication processes with the detail each job requires. When identical parts belong to different orders, that distinction needs to survive nesting. When a programme reaches the shop floor, the operator needs clear instructions. Our focus is on reducing the manual work involved in getting those details right.”

U.S. custom truck body and trailer manufacturer Stonewell Bodies automated part processing and nesting through an integration between DriveWorks and Radan. Chief engineer Robert Eckert reports savings of up to 30 minutes per part and a 15% reduction in material waste from the existing implementation.

Cycle-time Estimates and Order Traceability

Radan can calculate cycle times as parts are imported, using the active machine tool to estimate production time. For identical parts nested across several orders, fixed-part allocation assigns each nested part to a specific order line. This improves reporting accuracy and feedback to external systems.

Image: Hexagon

Enhanced marking supports a scannable data matrix or QR code alongside readable text, with separate content for each. Automatic placement selects a suitable location while avoiding other geometry. In order mode, marks that conflict with tooling features are withheld from cutting to help prevent incomplete codes and damage to adjacent parts.

Import and Unfolding in Designer

Designer supports direct drag-and-drop import and automatic recognition of imported hole geometry. Thickness matching supports unfolding when design and manufacturing thicknesses differ, including work exchanged between metric and imperial environments. These capabilities depend on the Designer products and modules licensed.

Press Brake Programming and Simulation

The press brake demonstrations cover bend sequence editing, collision feedback and tooling simulation. They will also show how part identification and setup information can support shop-floor operators.

Source: Hexagon

About Hexagon

Hexagon AB is a Swedish industrial technology company based in Stockholm, Sweden. The company traces its origins to Eken Industri och Handel AB, founded in Stockholm in 1975. Hexagon supplies measurement, positioning, sensing, and software products for industrial and public-sector users. Its products include sensors, coordinate measuring machines, laser scanners, positioning systems, CAD/CAM software, geospatial tools, asset lifecycle systems, and autonomous technologies. The company serves customers in manufacturing, construction, aerospace, agriculture, mining, public safety, infrastructure, and mobility. Engineers, surveyors, manufacturers, asset owners, governments, and industrial operators use its products. Hexagon reported about 16,000 employees in 50 countries.

 

 

Gianni Dessi
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