Cam Tutorial Extra Quality: Bysoft
Bystronic's BySoft CAM is a powerhouse in the sheet metal industry, designed to streamline the journey from a digital drawing to a finished physical part. Whether you are working with laser cutting or press brake bending, this tutorial will walk you through the essential steps to master the BySoft workflow. 1. Importing and Preparing Your Parts
The process begins with getting your design into the system. BySoft CAM is highly versatile, supporting a wide range of native CAD formats including STEP, IGES, DXF, and SolidWorks.
2D Files (DXF/DWG): Navigate to the Part Editor and use the "Import Part" command. Once imported, you can define the material and sheet thickness. Use the Layer View to clean up the drawing by removing unnecessary construction lines or dimensions.
3D Files (STEP/STP): For 3D models, BySoft 7 features a Designer module that can automatically generate a perfect unfolding. You simply select a reference face, and the software calculates the thickness and collects all additional faces to create a flat 2D part for cutting. 2. Setting Up Cutting Technology
Once your part geometry is verified, you must apply the specific technology for your machine.
Automatic Selection: BySoft can automatically select the optimal cutting technology, gas parameters, and wizard files based on your specific machine type.
Manual Refinement: In the Cutting Technology tab, you can manually adjust lead-ins, common cutting paths, or "fly cutting" to improve efficiency.
PartID Marking: A useful modern feature is PartID, which laser-engraves a code onto the part during the cutting process. This allows for easy traceability and can be scanned later at the press brake to load the correct bending program automatically. 3. Nesting for Maximum Material Efficiency
Nesting is where BySoft CAM helps reduce costs by minimizing waste. The software ensures that sheet metal, tubes, and profiles are used to their maximum extent.
C. Automatic Piercing Reduction
For thick plate (>10mm):
- Enable
Piercing Reduction → CAM replaces multiple piercings with long lead-ins from the edge.
- Reduces nozzle wear and dross formation.
7. Step 6: Simulating the Cut
Never send code to the machine without simulating first.
- Click the Simulation button (often a green play arrow).
- Select 2D Simulation (toolpath only) or 3D Simulation (shows head movement).
- Watch for:
- Head crashes (indicated by red lines).
- Uncut microjoints.
- Long rapid traverses over already-cut parts.
2. Interface Overview (BySoft 7 / BySoft Advanced)
- Part Tree – imported 2D DXF/DWG parts, each with process steps
- Technology Table – laser/punch parameters (power, frequency, cutting gas)
- Nesting Area – sheet layout, part rotation, common line cutting
- Toolpath Viewer – color-coded: pierce (blue), cut (green), microjoints (red)
💡 Pro tip: Right-click a part → "Show Geometry" to see open contours (common error in imported DXFs).
Step 6: Post-process & Export
- Select machine (e.g., Bystar 3015, BySprint Pro)
- Generate NC code (.txt or .cnc)
- Transfer via network, USB, or direct DNC
Part 6: Nesting – Putting Parts on a Sheet
You have one part programmed. Now you need 50 of them.
- Switch to the
Nesting tab.
- Click
New Nest.
- Select your sheet size (e.g., 3000x1500 mm).
- Source: Choose your programmed part.
- Quantity: Enter
50.
- Click
Auto Nest.
BySoft CAM will rotate and position parts to maximize material utilization (>85% is good, >90% is excellent).
Bystronic's BySoft CAM is a powerhouse in the sheet metal industry, designed to streamline the journey from a digital drawing to a finished physical part. Whether you are working with laser cutting or press brake bending, this tutorial will walk you through the essential steps to master the BySoft workflow. 1. Importing and Preparing Your Parts
The process begins with getting your design into the system. BySoft CAM is highly versatile, supporting a wide range of native CAD formats including STEP, IGES, DXF, and SolidWorks.
2D Files (DXF/DWG): Navigate to the Part Editor and use the "Import Part" command. Once imported, you can define the material and sheet thickness. Use the Layer View to clean up the drawing by removing unnecessary construction lines or dimensions.
3D Files (STEP/STP): For 3D models, BySoft 7 features a Designer module that can automatically generate a perfect unfolding. You simply select a reference face, and the software calculates the thickness and collects all additional faces to create a flat 2D part for cutting. 2. Setting Up Cutting Technology
Once your part geometry is verified, you must apply the specific technology for your machine.
Automatic Selection: BySoft can automatically select the optimal cutting technology, gas parameters, and wizard files based on your specific machine type.
Manual Refinement: In the Cutting Technology tab, you can manually adjust lead-ins, common cutting paths, or "fly cutting" to improve efficiency.
PartID Marking: A useful modern feature is PartID, which laser-engraves a code onto the part during the cutting process. This allows for easy traceability and can be scanned later at the press brake to load the correct bending program automatically. 3. Nesting for Maximum Material Efficiency
Nesting is where BySoft CAM helps reduce costs by minimizing waste. The software ensures that sheet metal, tubes, and profiles are used to their maximum extent.
C. Automatic Piercing Reduction
For thick plate (>10mm):
- Enable
Piercing Reduction → CAM replaces multiple piercings with long lead-ins from the edge.
- Reduces nozzle wear and dross formation.
7. Step 6: Simulating the Cut
Never send code to the machine without simulating first.
- Click the Simulation button (often a green play arrow).
- Select 2D Simulation (toolpath only) or 3D Simulation (shows head movement).
- Watch for:
- Head crashes (indicated by red lines).
- Uncut microjoints.
- Long rapid traverses over already-cut parts.
2. Interface Overview (BySoft 7 / BySoft Advanced)
- Part Tree – imported 2D DXF/DWG parts, each with process steps
- Technology Table – laser/punch parameters (power, frequency, cutting gas)
- Nesting Area – sheet layout, part rotation, common line cutting
- Toolpath Viewer – color-coded: pierce (blue), cut (green), microjoints (red)
💡 Pro tip: Right-click a part → "Show Geometry" to see open contours (common error in imported DXFs).
Step 6: Post-process & Export
- Select machine (e.g., Bystar 3015, BySprint Pro)
- Generate NC code (.txt or .cnc)
- Transfer via network, USB, or direct DNC
Part 6: Nesting – Putting Parts on a Sheet
You have one part programmed. Now you need 50 of them.
- Switch to the
Nesting tab.
- Click
New Nest.
- Select your sheet size (e.g., 3000x1500 mm).
- Source: Choose your programmed part.
- Quantity: Enter
50.
- Click
Auto Nest.
BySoft CAM will rotate and position parts to maximize material utilization (>85% is good, >90% is excellent).
