ESAB Cutting Systems offers Columbus III, an intelligent CAD/CAM programming package designed to streamline workflow and improve cutting machine productivity. According to the company, Columbus III software offers user-friendly, standardized interfaces and numerous features to make programming easier and more efficient, improve material utilization and increase productivity.
"A powerful database-driven programming and nesting software specifically designed for plasma, oxy-fuel, laser and waterjet cutting, Columbus III is the first cutting software package developed and maintained by a cutting machine manufacturer," said a company spokesperson. "It supports straight and bevel cutting as well as all current marking devices."
At the heart of the software is a menu-driven interface that provides control over the entire programming process. The Layout Designer manages all functions necessary to generate a CNC program or nest for straight cutting in oxy-fuel, plasma, laser and marking processes. Intelligent wizards contribute to intuitive operation allowing simple and highly complex cuts, marking and nesting jobs to be performed quickly and easily, according to the company.
A variety of standard features provide for part manipulation, including common-line cutting, cutting bridges, corner loops and pre-piercing.
"Columbus III also supports ESAB's Precision Hole Technology, which automatically generates the best possible program code for cutting small holes and slots," said the spokesperson. "This technology is automatically applied when cutting mild steel up to 1 inch thick. No programmer intervention is required to produce high quality plasma holes. Precision Hole Technology applies to mild steel up to 1 inch thick, on holes from 1:1 up to 5:1 diameter-to-thickness ratio.
"ESAB's Columbus III is a modular package that can be scaled to meet the cutting application, providing the flexibility to adapt and expand the software as required. Software modules include automatic nesting to maximize plate utilization, bevel programming for efficient contour and straight programming of oxy-fuel, plasma and laser bevel heads, plate and subassembly management for unique plate identification and faster processing of jobs containing subassemblies and more.
"Columbus III uses the state-of-the art Microsoft SQL platform as the backbone for all of its databases, ensuring programming changes, updates and improved features will be quick and easy.
"The Columbus III software package forms part of ESAB's integrated process control system that includes ESAB's m3 Plasma system and Vision T5 control, which work together seamlessly to provide the highest cut quality on all contours with fully automated process control from part concept to completion."
For more information contact:
ESAB Welding & Cutting Products
P.O. Box 100545
411 S. Ebenezer Road
Florence, SC 29501
888-372-2288
email@esab.com
www.esab-cutting.com