Steel Solutions (Atek)

Owned by Chris Randolph (Unlicensed)
Sept 05, 2018
2 min read

Setup FabSuite/Steel Solutions Integration

Setup in FabSuite

To enable the FabSuite/Steel Solutions integration, in FabSuite select "Atek Steel Solutions (Beta)" from Maintenance → Integration Settings.

In the settings window, check the box to "Enable Atek Steel Solutions":

Setup in Steel Solutions

In Steel Solutions, click Settings then GENERAL:

Select the FabSuite tab at the top right:

Check the box to "Allow feedback", and fill out the information in the "Login" box. "Local FabSuite Path:" is the directory for your local FabSuite installation. The other settings are so Steel Solutions can connect to your FabSuite server. 

Once your FabSuite server information is filled in, click the Test Connection button to make sure it's set up correctly:

Sending a Work Order

A work order is a request for nesting and/or multing that includes the CNC files to be cut, as well as the available and orderable stock on which to nest or mult. To have Steel Solutions perform the Nest, export your Combining run to Steel Solutions.

  • To create this work order from FabSuite, open Combining from the Combining, Estimating, Production Control Requisition or Purchase Order Modules. Then Choose "Combine" from the Module drop-down menu. Here it is shown from Production Control.

  • Choose "Nest" then click "Optimizations" on the bottom left of the Filters screen.
  • Set the Plate Nesting Software (on the Plate Nesting tab) to "SteelSolutions".

  • When the Combining run is created, all parts will show as "Not Combined".

  • Save the combining run if desired. 

  • Export these parts, and the stock available for combining to Steel Solutions by choosing "Combining Run"->"Export Parts for Nesting"->"Export to Steel Solutions"

The following is an example workflow in Steel Solutioions illustrating the basics of creating a nest.

In Steel Solutions under File → FabSuite Integration select Load Files. When prompted select and open the .xml file created by FabSuite.

Once the import is complete, select the Nesting tab. Plates to cut will be displayed on the left. Available inventory is on the right. 

Click the "Auto Nest On All Plates"  button:

Set the Nesting Options as desired and click "Auto-Nest":

Note that Steel Solutions has automatically generated a crop line to create a remnant to send back to FabSuite.

To save the project go to File → Save Project. Select a Path and enter a Project Name for the export . . .

To send to FabSuite, go back to File → FabSuite Integration and select "Send Nest Results to FabSuite".

Back in FabSuite, close and reopen your combining run. If everything ran it should be empty: