Spine Bridging

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Spine Bridging

DEPRECATED SmartCluster now provides more automated tools to support this functionality, however in some special cases you may need or want to still use the older functionality

Spine bridging is the safest method of bridging because it cuts out each part entirely before moving to the next. This minimizes the risk of incorrectly cut parts due to plate movement. The only disadvantage of this technique is that the 'spine' itself takes up extra space on the plate.

1.In the Nesting editor Create an array of the part you would like to bridge cut.

2.Select the array then RIGHT CLICK and select Create and Edit Cluster from the Nesting editor context menu.

3.The new cluster will be added to the parts list and will be opened for you in the Part Geometry editor.

4.Select all of the parts in the cluster and RIGHT CLICK, then select Spine Bridging from the context menu.

If you move the mouse pointer around the parts you will see the spine line change location. A box will appear at the bottom of the toolbar which allows you to change the offset for the spine. To change the default value you will need to use the Geometry Options dialog.