# What is Radan? Modules, integrations and alternatives > Source: https://netray.co/software/radan > Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems. > Section: Manufacturing Software Encyclopedia ## Short answer Radan is a sheet metal CAD/CAM software product, now part of Hexagon, used to program laser, punch, plasma, waterjet and bending machines. It covers part design and import, nesting, toolpath generation and bend programming. It is aimed at fabricators that want one environment to take sheet metal parts from drawing to machine. ## Vendor Hexagon ## Category cad-cam ## Aliases - RADAN - Radan CAD/CAM - Hexagon Radan - Vero Radan ## Overview Radan focuses on sheet metal and plate fabrication. It reads part geometry from 2D drawings and 3D models, prepares parts for manufacture, nests them onto sheets, and generates programs for cutting and punching machines. A separate area handles press brake programming and bend simulation. The product has a long history in the sheet metal industry and is now offered under the Hexagon manufacturing portfolio. Its users include contract fabricators, OEMs with in-house sheet metal departments and shops that run laser, punch and brake equipment from several makers. Those customers value a programming layer that is not tied to one machine vendor, and the ability to move designs from engineering into production without redrawing parts. Within a manufacturing stack, Radan sits after engineering and ERP order release and before the machine controllers. It can be used alongside mechanical CAD for design, and with an ERP or production system for orders and material. As with any nesting tool, the quality of the outcome depends heavily on post processors, material data and how consistently part data enters the system. ## Best For - Sheet metal fabricators using laser, punch, plasma or waterjet machines - Shops that also run press brakes and want bend programming in the same toolset - OEMs with internal fabrication that need to move from 3D design to flat patterns - Mixed machine fleets that need vendor-neutral programming - Companies already using other Hexagon manufacturing software ## Modules ### Radan CAD/CAM core **Description:** Imports and prepares part geometry and generates machine programs for cutting and punching. ### Nesting **Description:** Arranges parts on sheets for material efficiency, with rules for spacing, rotation and process requirements. ### 3D sheet metal and unfolding **Description:** Creates flat patterns from 3D models and prepares them for nesting and bending. ### Bending **Description:** Programs press brakes with bend sequencing and tooling, and supports simulation to catch collisions. ### Post processors **Description:** Output programs for many laser, punch and plasma controllers. ### Part and job management **Description:** Organizes parts, orders and nests so programmers can reuse past work. ### Automation links **Description:** Supports integration with some automated material handling and production tracking setups. ## Deployment Normally installed on Windows workstations, with shared databases or file stores for parts and jobs. Subscription and perpetual licensing options have existed; confirm the current model with Hexagon or a reseller. ## Integrations ### CAD import **Detail:** Reads common formats such as DXF, DWG and STEP, and can work with files from major mechanical CAD systems. ### ERP and orders **Detail:** Orders and part lists can be exchanged with an ERP through file or database interfaces designed per site. ### Machine output **Detail:** Programs are produced with post processors and transferred to controllers via network or DNC. ### Hexagon portfolio **Detail:** Can be used alongside other Hexagon manufacturing tools, depending on the products and versions in use. ### Reporting data **Detail:** Job and material data can be extracted for analysis in BI tools. ## Strengths - Strong sheet metal focus including bending as well as cutting - Vendor-neutral programming for mixed fleets - Direct handling of 3D models and flat patterns - Long-established product with a stable user base among fabricators - Part of a larger manufacturing software portfolio ## Limitations - Management and ERP-style functions are not its focus, so integration matters - Post processor tuning may be needed for unusual controllers - Heavy plate and structural cutting may be better served by plate-focused nesting tools - Product packaging and naming under Hexagon can be confusing, so verify what each license includes ## Alternatives - Lantek - SigmaNEST - ProNest - TRUMPF TruTops - Autodesk Fusion - SolidWorks Sheet Metal ## Ai Opportunities - Answer questions about past nests and parts, for example which parts have been nested on a given material - Compare predicted and actual cut times using data from the machines and the ERP - Highlight parts with repeated bending issues from past programming notes - Check that ERP orders have matching programs and flag gaps - Summarize differences between two revisions of a part before reprogramming ## Selection Tips - Test with your own parts, including complex bends, and compare flat pattern accuracy - Verify post processors for each laser, punch and press brake in your shop - Clarify which license package includes nesting, 3D and bending - Define how part data moves from CAD and ERP into Radan - Ask about automation links if you use sheet loaders or sorting systems - Plan programmer training and a period of parallel running ## Faq ### What is Radan used for? **Answer:** Radan is used to prepare sheet metal parts, nest them on sheets and generate programs for laser, punch, plasma and other cutting machines, plus bend programs for press brakes. Fabricators use it to move from drawing or 3D model to a machine-ready program. ### Who owns Radan? **Answer:** Radan is offered by Hexagon as part of its manufacturing software portfolio. Earlier it was associated with other names in the CAD/CAM market. For current licensing and support details, confirm directly with Hexagon or an authorized reseller. ### Does Radan handle bending as well as cutting? **Answer:** Yes, Radan includes press brake programming with bend sequencing and simulation in addition to cutting and punching. Whether a given license includes each capability depends on the package, so check the exact modules when buying. ### How does Radan compare with Lantek? **Answer:** Both are vendor-neutral sheet metal CAD/CAM suites covering cutting and bending. Differences tend to be in management modules, controller coverage, regional support and user interface. A trial with your parts and machines is the reliable way to compare. ### Can AI help Radan users? **Answer:** AI can help around Radan's data, such as answering questions over past nests, reconciling programs with ERP orders and summarizing part revisions. It should assist programmers rather than change programs automatically, and any write-back should keep human approval. ## Search terms what is Radan, Radan alternatives, Radan modules, Radan CAD CAM, Radan vs Lantek, Radan Hexagon, Radan post processor, sheet metal nesting software, press brake programming software --- Talk to an engineer: https://netray.co/contact?intent=erp_ai | Machine catalog: https://netray.co/agent/catalog.json