Complex frame fabrication across industrial, construction, and agricultural equipment puts pressure on programming speed and data accuracy.
Manual drawing edits and scattered processes slow releases to the shop and increase the chance of rework.
This case study looks at how a Piacenza-area subcontractor tightened the path from design to NC code with a single, integrated workflow that keeps projects moving and stakeholders aligned.
Client Snapshot
Mecal Srl is a fabrication subcontractor based near Piacenza, Italy.
The company serves brands across packaging, machinery, wind turbines, construction and agricultural equipment, vehicle manufacturing, and machine tools.
Operations span a 10 000 square-foot facility with around 40 skilled team members and six production departments covering laser cutting, bending, welding, milling and turning, assembly, and service. Certifications include UNI EN ISO 1090:1 and 1090:2.
The Challenge
Demand for complex frames meant handling hundreds of tubular parts and frequent design changes.
The previous software required manual editing of joints and couplings, so a change to one component triggered a cascade of downstream edits.
The drawing and editing phase for each frame typically consumed three to four days, and with about 45 frames per year, the tube area spent more than 130 days annually on preparation alone.
The Solution
Mecal Srl introduced SigmaTUBE to automate geometry creation and editing for frame drawings, using SOLIDWORKS integration to manage large assemblies with many parts.
The system processed design modifications quickly and consistently, cutting the drawing phase for each frame from three to four days down to one.
Later, the company added SigmaNEST for 2D laser programming and implemented a new ERP, choosing a cutting program that would integrate cleanly with the management system.
All cutting steps are now managed in the nesting environment, with item codes, production orders, and materials exchanged directly with ERP for automated, traceable processes.
CAD edits that once happened outside the cutting program are performed inside SigmaNEST, reducing risk and saving time.
Results
The combined rollout delivered a programming time reduction of 300%, plus a consistent, one-day turnaround for the drawing phase on complex frames.
Integration meant the nesting system now drives ERP with live job and material data, which streamlined urgent jobs and diverse orders.
The shift also improved in-program CAD capability compared to the prior software.
“The efficient and complete integration between SigmaNEST and our new management system was the deciding factor in choosing the new cutting program.”
Marco Sartori, Technical Office Manager, Mecal Srl
Why It Matters
Tube-and-flat fabricators often fight the same battle: edits ripple through assemblies, shop data drifts from planning systems, and programming queues stall delivery.
A unified approach with SigmaTUBE for tube work and SigmaNEST for flat programming brings drawing, nesting, and data exchange into one environment.
That alignment reduces manual touches, shortens programming, and improves responsiveness when priorities change.
For solution details, visit our SigmaNEST product page.
The Bottom Line
Mecal Srl shows how a model-driven, ERP-connected nesting workflow can unlock significant time savings on complex frames.
SigmaTUBE accelerated drawing and edits, while SigmaNEST centralised 2D laser programming and automated data handoffs with the new ERP.
The result is faster programming, fewer manual edits, and clearer visibility from planning to cutting.
Looking to streamline tube and flat work with SigmaNEST and SigmaTUBE? Book a demo or contact the sales team to discuss machines, integrations, and rollout.
Content adapted from the original case study published by SigmaNEST.
