Sheet Metal Laser Cutting Solution
A complete engineering-to-production workflow using FASTSUITE Edition 2 and FASTCUBE Shopfloor Assistant.
Customer Challenge
In 3D sheet metal laser cutting, creating an offline NC program is only part of the challenge. Production conditions often differ from the original digital model due to material tolerances, fixture deviations, springback, or workpiece positioning. These differences can lead to repeated engineering corrections, machine downtime, and unnecessary production delays.
This solution demonstrates how to reduce correction loops by combining offline engineering with controlled shopfloor adaptation.
Solution Overview
This integrated solution demonstrates how FASTSUITE Edition 2 and FASTCUBE Shopfloor Assistant work together to prepare, validate, and optimize a sheet metal laser cutting process.
Engineering prepares and validates the cutting process offline before production. When local deviations occur on the shopfloor, operators can safely inspect, adjust, preview, and validate changes without rebuilding the complete NC program or restarting the offline programming workflow.
Applications Used
| Application | Purpose |
|---|---|
| FASTSUITE Edition 2 | Process preparation, offline programming, simulation, optimization, and validation |
| FASTCUBE Shopfloor Assistant | Visual NC program review, local correction, preview, validation, and production support |
Manufacturing Scenario
This solution addresses a typical engineering-to-production scenario:
- Engineering prepares the complete digital manufacturing model.
- Engineering creates, optimizes, and validates the cutting process.
- The NC program is released to production.
- During production, local deviations are detected and corrected safely.
- Production continues while engineering continuity is maintained.
Learning Path
Complete the following learning path to solve the customer challenge from engineering through production:
- Prepare the Digital Manufacturing Model
- Create, Optimize, and Validate the Cutting Process
- Handle Production Deviations
- Save the Updated NC Program
Complete the steps in sequence to follow the full engineering-to-production workflow.
What You Will Learn
After completing this solution, you will be able to:
- Prepare a complete digital manufacturing model for sheet metal laser cutting.
- Configure the digital workpiece, fixture, coordinate systems, and calibration setup.
- Create, optimize, simulate, and validate the cutting process before production.
- Transfer the validated process to the shopfloor with confidence.
- Understand and adjust the NC program in its 3D production context.
- Handle local production deviations safely and continue production efficiently.
Tutorial Package
The tutorial package contains all files required to complete this solution. Access to the download repository requires a valid login.
Package Contents
- FASTSUITE Edition 2 project
- FASTCUBE Shopfloor Assistant production ready files
- Sheet metal CAD model
- Fixture and setup data
- NC program
- Calibration reference data
Download Sheet Metal Laser Cutting Tutorial Package
Prerequisites
Before starting this solution, ensure that the following prerequisites are completed:
- FASTSUITE Edition 2 is installed and licensed.
- FASTCUBE Shopfloor Assistant is installed and licensed.
- Download the Sheet Metal Laser Cutting tutorial package.
Related documentation
FASTSUITE E2 Installation
FASTSUITE E2 Licensing
FASTCUBE Shopfloor Assistant Installation
FASTSUITE E2 User Manual
FASTCUBE Shopfloor Assistant
Next Step
Prepare the Digital Manufacturing Model:
-> Prepare the Digital Manufacturing Model