AutoPanelSizer – Software for optimized cutting plans

Software Description

The software AutoPanelSizer identifies ­optimized cutting layouts for the ­production of rectangular parts from ­rectangular stock material and minimizes the waste. It only generates layouts that can be produced with so-called guillotine cuts. These are cuts that dissect the sheet – or later the remainder of the sheet – by a cut at right-angles to the workpiece and thus separate it into two rectangles (see ­examples part 1). Thereby, the software models a common technology for cutting rectangular parts, applied in particular for the machining of wood but also in the glass, metal, and plastics manufacturing industries.

In industrial manufacturing, typically interlinked saws are used. For example, a first saw cuts the sheet into stripes, while a second saw then cuts these stripes into parts with cuts that are perpendicular to the cutting direction of the first saw. Each saw in the combined system forms a so-called stage. Such a design of sawing facilities leads to additional restrictions for the cutting layout, because there are only as many stages possible as saws available. AutoPanelSizer takes into account ­restrictions on the number of stages.

Furthermore, AutoPanelSizer can compute layouts with trim cuts after the last stage and head cuts in the first stage (see ­examples part 2, 2 and 3, respectively). The software also incorporates miscellaneous constraints such as that are given by the machine or material properties. The ­available remainders can be included in the optimization as can different sizes of stock material sheets. The computation of a common sized cutting layout takes only a couple of seconds to a maximum of several minutes.

Impact on production

By combining identical cutting plans into packages, they can be cut simultaneously thereby reducing production time. AutoPanelSizer offers various possibilities to control the generation of such packages. In addition, the software can account for production costs by weighing expensive processes, such as head cuts or the storage of remainders, against more efficient material use based on adjustable parameters.
Furthermore, each part to be produced may be assigned to a parts group. This allows for destacking restrictions as well as requests regarding a production sequence to be taken into account. In connection with parts groups, the optimization can also be carried out across different material types.

Anticipatory planning by differentiation of required and optional demand

In AutoPanelSizer, parts can be declared as required (compulsory) or optional. The first have to be placed on the cutting layouts, the last are only placed if they fit well and improve the yield. For example, parts that are needed the next day can be declared as required, while parts that are needed later can be declared as optional. By this anticipatory production the efficiency of the cutting layouts can be improved and thus the overall usage of material is reduced further.