The best program for cutting sheet materials. Importing data from a furniture design program. Control of movement of parts
Cutting plan - is a documentation that displays what parts need to be cut from a chipboard sheet. But, in fact, you can cut not only chipboard, but also any sheet material.
With nesting, you can see how parts can be laid out on a sheet. The map also contains information about the residuals that will be as a result of cutting.
Ultimately, the advantage of nesting is that it displays the amount of material that will be required to create the furniture.
You can also cut out a chipboard at the company where you will buy materials, but our task is to create cabinet furniture at home with minimizing costs, and it will not be difficult to make it yourself, even from a beginner.
To create the map we will use the Cutting 2 program. You can download it for free at the end of the lesson.
The program interface looks like this:
In the "Materials" field, you must specify the parameters of the chipboard sheet, or, if you have residues that you plan to cut, then the size of the residues. As for the chipboard size, I use sheets from the Swisspan manufacturer, whose dimensions are 2750 * 1830 mm (for large sheets) and 2440 * 1830 mm (for small ones).
Also note that in the chipboard sheet settings, you must set the values \u200b\u200bfor "Sheet cut", since the sheets are initially chipped.
If you are planning to glue a PVC edge, or if you want to calculate how much paper edge will be required for gluing, then you can also set it in "Properties".
Hello, friends.
In this article we will talk about one practical side of furniture making.
Having designed any furniture, you get its detailing, or, a list of all the parts required for its assembly.
And the next step will be the purchase of chipboard sheets, and cut them into these very details, designed by you.
You may have two options here:
Or you take your detailing to where you will have chipboard (and, this is basically the same place where you will buy it), and according to your detailing they will make and cut sheets of material into the necessary parts.
Or you will initially make a scheme according to which sheet material will be processed.
Cutting cards - this is the scheme for cutting the sheet (for example, the same chipboard) into the necessary parts.
Any such map always shows the presence of residues of the material used.
The same parts can be laid out on the sheet so that in one case, the size of the residues will be large, and in the other case, smaller.
Of course, large leftovers are always needed, since something can still be done from them.
Therefore, in the case when someone makes this documentation for you, the size of your residuals depends only on him.
And if you do it yourself, then you arrange the parts so as to get the largest possible leftovers.
Of course, no one does it manually, as it is very laborious.
Very good programs have long been invented for these purposes.
But, we will consider a simpler option: One original chipboard sheet, and detailing for it.
Before calculating the parts, in the original sheet, you can set the cut along the ends (in this case, 7 millimeters each).
After that, by clicking on the "calculator" icon, the program will automatically decompose the parts according to the specified sheet.
As you can see in the figure, even if some details did not fit into the sheet, they can be seen in the window below.
In this window, the location of any parts can be changed at your discretion, you can rotate them around the axis (unless, of course, this function is not locked in the properties specified in the parts settings). In a word, do everything to get the largest possible balances.
When the parts are laid out as needed, you can click to view this sheet.
In this mode, the layout of all parts is shown, the total length of the cut, the area of \u200b\u200bparts and residues, in a word, all the necessary information.
After that, by clicking on the corresponding icon, all sheets with a cut, as well as a list of all parts, can be printed on a printer.
This will be your cutting map (gluing with a furniture edge, and sketches of non-standard (curved, etc.) parts are also marked on it).
Thus, as you can see, it is quite easy to make the sheet cutting scheme yourself.
I believe that the most ordinary furniture maker should be able to do this, since all this, in a sense, speaks about the level of his qualifications.
Well, on this I will "round off", see you.
This article is the logical conclusion of a series of articles on self-design and calculation of home furniture.
Here I will talk about how to make economical cutting at home, I will point out all sorts of nuances and possible pitfalls for which you should be ready when deciding to order chipboard cutting in the furniture industry.
FAQ or Frequently Asked Questions
1 - Why cut it yourself? - First of all, independent cutting of parts in a chipboard sheet is your savings.
The fact is that most of the furniture companies that cut chipboard sell boards by the piece. That is, if the parts you need do not fit in the chipboard sheet, and at least one piece ends up on the second plate, you have to pay for two full chipboard sheets.
Agree, it is not very profitable to pay for two stoves, if in fact it turns out that only a sheet of chipboard and a couple of small parts leave the wardrobe or kitchen.
That is why, it is better to make cutting on your own at home, according to which ordering a cut in a furniture shop.
2 - What to do if you still get a large remainder after cutting the chipboard? - It's simple - take a fresh look at your apartment and house. You may need a small coffee table, or you might need some bookshelves.
Use the rest rationally, think over a few new decorative and functional elements for the interior and add them to your cut.
Thus, the purchase of chipboard parts will turn from knowingly unprofitable to very economical and thoughtful.
3 - What is the structure of laminated chipboard? How to understand the expression of furniture makers - by structure or against structure? - Pay attention to the color of the laminated chipboard, if there is a tree-like pattern in it, then it has a schematic representation of this very "structure", namely, the structure of the bark of a tree that imitates a particular species (beech, ash, pine, oak, alder, cherry and others.)
You must admit that furniture facades look rather stupid, on which the drawing (structure) is scattered - on one along, on the second across, then again along.
Therefore, before ordering laminated chipboard in production, you must have on hand a list of parts written according to certain rules and sequence.
So, pay attention to how the laminated chipboard plate looks like with a pattern.
We can see that the structure goes along the long side. And, if the details lie parallel to the depicted fibers - furniture makers will call such a detail "by structure", if perpendicular - then "against the structure".
4 - How to correctly indicate the dimensions in the list so that parts of the same type have the same structure pattern? - The first and most important thing is to decide on the visible elements on which the structure must be located in the same direction.
For example, fronts, cabinet sides, front plinth. But those parts that are located inside the cabinet (internal shelves, sides of drawers, and the like) can be cut randomly from a chipboard sheet.
When specifying the dimensions for the furniture shop, it is better to clarify in advance where you plan to cut the chipboard, what size of the part should be indicated first.
In most furniture companies, the first to indicate the size of the part, which goes along the structure, that is, along the picture.
Now carefully look at the schematic sketch below - on it I tried to depict as easily as possible how the details will look at the dimensions indicated in the structure and against the structure.
5 - What is the base of the chipboard sheet? Why, when self-cutting chipboard parts, indicate the size of the slab less than the actual one? - Indeed, knowing the standard dimensions of a laminated chipboard sheet, when creating a cut, it is necessary to take into account the positioning of the sheet, which will certainly be done in the shop before cutting the parts.
Usually, the edges of the slab contain some chips, irregularities, possibly even slight swelling. Therefore, sawmills "base the chipboard sheet" - cut 10-15 mm on each side. Proceeding from this, you must also make the basing, that is, take it as the correct size, for example, not 1830 x 2750 mm, but 1810 x 2730 mm.
6 - What is the kerf width and what is it equal to? - Kerf is the width of the saw cut. The saw installed on the sawing machine has a thickness of 4 mm, which means that there will be a cut between the parts with a thickness of these same 4 mm.
That is, the actual size on which the two parts 300 and 400 mm will be located is not 700 mm, but 300 + 400 + 4 \u003d 704 mm. Each cut must also be taken into account when cutting.
Well, that's all, now you are prepared to proceed directly to the independent cutting of chipboard parts, which can be produced in two ways - manually, using a ruler, a piece of paper, an eraser, a calculator and using an offline computer or online cutting program.
Manual cutting of chipboard parts: Step by step instructions
1 Draw on a sheet of paper, preferably to scale, the dimensions of the plate. Remember to reduce it by 10 mm on each side.
2 Sort the list by the same type of required parts. For example, the sides of kitchen cabinets have the same dimensions - 500 x 712 mm.
There are quite a few of them, write out all such details separately. By the same principle, you continue sorting: the same width, the same structure, and so on.
3 Lay out large parts on a chipboard sheet first and those that should have a similar structure. Don't forget about the 4 mm saw width! This is where a calculator comes in handy.
4 Place the rest of the details. You can work out several options until you get the same, ideal, most economical and profitable.
Cut out details in a chipboard sheet using online and offline computer programs
On the Internet, in the free access there are many chipboard cutting programs that offer several cutting options at once.
Such programs can be searched on specialized furniture forums or simply by typing in any search engine the query: "Program for cutting chipboard for free."
The search will return three main options:
1 Download the cutting program to a computer - the most common and most convenient for beginners chipboard cutting program - Cutting. Simple interface, intuitive layout and many options for cutting the sheet.
2 Create a cutting chipboard online - here you really don't need to load your PC with programs that may not be useful in the future.
3 Cutting and ordering sawing chipboard online on the website of the furniture company is ideal if the production workshop is convenient for you geographically.
Thus, you will "kill two, and maybe more, birds with one stone" - choose on the website the chipboard, which is available in the required quantity, make an economical cutting, see the cost and immediately, sitting at home, order the chipboard cut in the furniture shop.
I will repeat the important points again ...
Basic rules for cutting chipboard
- The size of the chipboard sheet must be entered taking into account the base of the plate.
- Saw cutting width - 4 mm.
- Details in the cut must be made taking into account the structure.
If you still have questions, ask them right here, under the article. I will try to answer promptly.
Also, if there are current furniture topics that you would like to read about, write about them in the comments. Perhaps this is what will serve as the impetus for writing the next article.
Always yours, Timur Denisov.
Download Cut
Cutting 6.54.121 is an interesting and useful program with the ability to build a cutting map for various industrial materials. For example, cutting of chipboard, glass, plastic, roll materials and sheets.
The main features of the program:
- Work begins in the application with the introduction of the concept "Order". It is considered that this is a complex of parts with specified parameters of height and width. Parts are set to a rectangular shape.
- You can specify the required number of parts in the order. In this case, the program will display the optimal number of sheets that must be purchased.
- It is possible to view the history of orders, change an already finished one, or repeat it with new parameters.
- For each individual element, it is possible to set a symbolic name, the number of these elements and the presence / absence of an edge (in particular, in the production of furniture boards).
- Along with standard sheets, it is possible to enter additional sheets and cut them out next to the main ones.
- You can indicate the amount of "business waste" for subsequent use. This is possible subject to large, mass production.
- You can specify the size of the process waste, for example, material consumption for cutting.
- When calculating, it is possible to combine different orders from the same material. Thus, you can save on cutting.
- The free nesting software allows you to work with two types of edges.
- The incision is made by the guillotine method, that is, from edge to edge. All cuts are straight, strictly vertical or horizontal.
- There are two ways of nesting in the program: minimizing total waste (maximum material utilization) and maximizing continuous trimming (minimum waste plus maximum business trim).
- When cutting material in a roll, the program is automatically able to select the option for placing elements on the tape. All parts will be rectangular and of unknown height.
- It is possible to use the cutting program in the network mode.
- There is no language barrier, since the program was released in Russian.
- The interface is simple, in calm colors, like any other graphic program.
- Operating systems for which the program is suitable: WindowsXP, WindowsVista, Windows7.
The program for cutting sheet and roll material is used in various technical and industrial industries, factories, factories, as well as in small enterprises. In a domestic environment, using this program, you can make calculations for the construction of a garden or bath, interior renovation or house cladding. Cutting 6.54.121 will provide high-quality and fast material calculation. Most often, the application is used to calculate chipboard and glass.
Where you can download the program safely and for free.
Hurry to download the program from the site Softldol.com. It is available via a direct link without registration and paid messages.
Version:6.54.121
Program status:Shareware
The size: 3.5 Mb
Developer:Andrey Kusnetsov
System: Windows 7, 8, XP, Vista
Russian language:Yes
Download Cutting 6.54 free
First I used Cutting 2, then Cutting 3. They differ quite a lot. But I liked the Cutting 2 version better. In the third version, there are additional features that, by and large, are not really needed for small-scale production. Cutting 2 still helps me in the preliminary calculation of the amount of material and the length of the cutting lines for large orders, such as a kitchen. To create the final cutting plan, I use Nowy Rozkrój (Cut Optimiser or New Cut Manager) from the creators of PRO100. ... Both sites can be switched to Russian and read the description of the programs. And now I will describe the uncomplicated process of creating cutting plans. ...
We open any project created by us in PRO100. Click on the Σ tab.
A table will be displayed in the window that opens, which will indicate all the elements of the project with their characteristics. At the bottom of the window, find the Copy All tab.
We click on it. Now we can insert a table with our elements into the parts list in Cutting 2. But we only need the elements of the base material, let's say 18 mm thick chipboard. Therefore, open Excel and insert the PRO100 list of items. Now select those lines in which the elements are not 18 mm and delete them. As a result, there remains a table consisting of 4 columns, in one of which there is only the number 18 in all cells. Select and delete this column. Select the remaining elements and copy them. Launch Cutting 2. Parts table on the right.
If it is not empty, click on the X icon above the right table and confirm clearing the list. Now right-click on the first empty cell in the list and in the drop-down menu select the line Add from clipboard.
Click on the Execute calculation icon.
The nesting plan is ready. Can be printed and used. But I ran into some inconvenience. For example, the numbers are too small, the cutting lines are not clear enough.
The people who cut the material for me were unhappy with the need to use a magnifying glass. But for a preliminary calculation of the cost of the product, the program came up perfectly thanks to the transfer of parts from PRO100 to Cutting 2 described above.
Nowy Rozkroj is a better optimizer.
But all part sizes must be entered manually.
The program calculates several cutting options at once.
Depending on what is important to you, you choose your option. An option with a smaller total length of cutting lines is more suitable for me, but someone needs an option with a smaller amount of scraps (trash).
First, in the settings, I specify the cutting option without a strip,
which allows you to place more parts. After the first nesting attempt, I see how much free space is left on the last sheet. If more than 30% is not occupied by details, then in the program parameters I indicate the horizontal cut option
and run the final calculation. The seller keeps the remaining horizontal strip of popular colors of the material for himself, which reduces the cost of furniture. The nesting layouts created by the Nowy Rozkroj program are quite detailed and distinct, the dimensions are displayed perfectly.
The cutting result may be different. For example, you made an optimal cut with the option without a strip, and you got 3 sheets and 3 parts. This is especially important if the seller does not sell this color of the material in a strip, but only in a sheet. In this case, use the following option:
When adding each part, uncheck the Structure box in the Part Properties table.
Then, looking at your project, go through the details and mark the structure in details, the structure on which can only be consistent with the design, i.e. other structure options on these parts are not acceptable. If this method does not help, then reduce the size of hidden parts such as plinths and connecting strips by 10 mm or more. But don't overdo it.
There is one more important plus of this program. If you mark an edge on one side of the part, then it will not move from that side to the other when the optimizer rotates the part, which can happen in other programs. In the event that the end edge is made of paper, the dimensions of the parts remain the same as in the project, and if the PVC edge is 1-2 mm thick, then do not forget to subtract from the size of the adjacent side from the glued edge thickness.
An example of drawing up nesting maps
Do not pay attention to the beginning of the video, until the launch of the Nowy Rozkrój program. And then everything is on the topic. A small technical hitch.
If your sheet is, for example, 2800 by 2070, and the trim on the side is 10 mm, forgetting that you need 4 mm to cut, you specify the size of the part 2790 by 600 with an edge of 2790. As a result, the edge slides by 600. Pay attention to this attention. I once did not check the card and gave it to work. Firstly, the guys got a lot of trouble when they glued the edge to the 600 side, because the part rested against the workshop door, the machine had to be moved. No one thought that a 2.5 m distance from the machine to the wall could ever be insufficient. And secondly, I had to pay to have the edge on the long side glued to me, and at that moment I did not count on it. Therefore, be careful.
When placing an order for cutting, you can enter parts manually or import data from another program.An essential feature of specifying the initial data is the use of an alphanumeric part number and part name as part of the product, which corresponds to its real representation in the design documentation.
Library of typical products
The program allows you to describe a library of standard products and use them in the future when creating orders for cutting. You can dozens of times reduce the time required to enter the initial data for cutting - a few commands and the order is ready for cutting.Pasting the edges of parts
For parts, you can specify the edges to be pasted. In this case, an arbitrary number of grades of material for pasting edges are supported. The information entered is used to calculate the quantity and value of the material to order.When cutting glass or metal, this function is equally useful! Similarly, you can take into account the grinding of the edges of parts for glass or the preparation of weld edges for metal.
Optimal cutting
Automatic cutting of material is carried out taking into account the technological and organizational parameters of production. The parameters allow you to set: the width of the cut, trimming the edge of the sheet, taking into account through cuts, the type of cutting, the minimum distance between the saws, etc.A unique set of adjustable parameters is a distinctive feature of the Astra Nesting program.
When manually editing maps, a number of functions for fast and accurate cutting adjustments are provided: placing a group of parts on the cutting width, aligning with a common base, shifting to stop, etc. At the same time, the cancellation of performed operations is supported, which allows restoring the previous state of the cutting map, and document scaling.
Complete accounting of measured residues after cutting
The calculation of the residuals after cutting is performed both automatically and in the dialogue mode. Depending on the set parameters, the residues are automatically cut in the following orders. When working with a list of residues, you can add, remove, sort or filter by any of the characteristics: size, grade of material, fiber.All ordering documentation
For each cutting plan, a complete set of technological documentation is formed - a sketch and a specification, including the necessary information for the manufacture of parts and accounting for the work performed. The cutting map is printed in any scale set by the user and in any orientation of the sheet. You can also set the output of several nesting plans on one printed sheet. In addition, the following documentation is generated: order specifications, material availability list, specification for pasting the edges of parts, invoice of work performed and materials on order, labels for marking parts.Postprocessors for CNC cutting machines
Besides
Importing data from a furniture design software
A great way to bring your design ideas to life in 3D is to use. In a few minutes you will develop a project and open it just as easily in the Astra Nesting program.The program is designed for a comprehensive solution to the problems of cutting sheet materials. It combines the capabilities of the system for preparing control programs with the functions of organizing the production process. The solution approach used in the program summarizes the experience of a number of companies operating thermal cutting machines.
Database usage
The program combines the traditional Tehran processing programming tools with a database. The database is responsible not only for the task of managing various data, but also for managing the operation of the system as a whole, since sheet cutting programs are also objects of the database. First of all, details are entered into the database that can be imported from another system, built using Techran's tools or created on the basis of macros.
Creating parts based on macros
In the course of working with the program in production conditions, a number of typical parts are gradually distinguished, differing in size and the presence or absence of some auxiliary elements. It is convenient to store such typical parts in the library in a parameterized form and use them when creating real parts, setting the actual values \u200b\u200bof the parameters. The program allows you to use parameterized parts when creating a part in the database. The parameters of the parts are entered in the dialog box. Users have the ability to develop macros that describe geometry and, if necessary, the processing of typical parts. It is also possible to define a description of the parameters to customize the dialog box and control the input data.
Fixed incorrect geometry when importing DXF files.
The system implements the ability to adjust the precision of contour filing when importing DXF files. Mate accuracy - the distance within which the mismatch of the original segments is permissible, which is eliminated when they are converted to contours. The precision of the fillet affects whether closely spaced segments will be combined into one path or not. If the end points of the segments do not coincide, but the distance between them is within the fillet accuracy, such segments are filleted (combined into a single contour). Segments are mated due to their continuation, truncation or displacement of endpoints - depending on the relative position of the segments:
a) Truncation of segments.
b) Extension of segments.
c) Offset of segments “Short” segments (having a length less than the mating accuracy) are eliminated.
After deleting the "short" segment, the adjacent segments are conjugated. Segments (or portions of segments) that overlap each other within the fillet precision are combined. It is convenient to view the details simultaneously with a list of all the details. To manage parts and other objects of the database, Tekhtran offers a single visual mechanism that uses two panels. This approach allows you to perform actions on database objects from the list (create, delete, edit and view parameters) and at the same time see a graphical representation of list items (parts, sheets, sheet cuts, etc.) on the adjacent panel. In addition, the presence of two panels makes it convenient to work with objects, which in turn include other objects. So, for example, a sheet nest contains details. To organize the viewing of parts related to different sheet nesting, in one panel you can display a list of sheet nests, and on the other - a list of parts placed on a specific sheet.
Cutting task
The program organizes the interaction of various objects involved in the process of cutting sheet material. From the parts that need to be made, a cutting task is formed. Then sheets for the manufacture of parts are included in the cutting task. The program provides the ability to automatically and manually place the details of the task on cutting on sheets. At the same time, the program keeps track of the number of unplaced parts and the possibility of manufacturing a part from the selected sheet.
Automatic nesting of parts on a sheet
In automatic nesting mode, the program nests the job details on the sheets in an optimal way. The required additional sheets can be automatically taken from the warehouse. The program also allows you to automatically place the selected parts on a specific sheet. In this case, the specified distances to the edge of the sheet and between the parts are maintained. The automatic placement strategy ensures a very high material utilization rate. The user has the opportunity to choose the optimal ratio between the quality of the placement of parts and the calculation time. With automatic nesting, you specify how the parts are compacted on an incomplete sheet. This affects the shape and proportions of business waste, taking into account the specifics of its further use. Controlling the selection of parts to fill holes allows you to use smaller or larger parts to place in voids within parts, or not fill holes at all.
Place parts manually on a sheet
There is a manual mode for placing parts on a sheet. In this mode, a part is selected from the list of unplaced parts of the nesting task and placed on the sheet, and then moved to an empty space using the graphical editor. There are also facilities for precise control of the relative position of objects. The combination of automatic and manual placement of parts allows you to take advantage of the advantages of each mode for the most efficient operation.
Control of movement of parts
In manual placement mode, the program takes over a number of useful functions. These include various ways of moving parts in compliance with the required distances between parts and between parts and the edge of the sheet, as well as the ability to place parts close to each other.
Strict control of movement of parts.Enabling this function allows parts to move across the sheet on the monitor screen like real objects for which other parts and the edge of the sheet are an insurmountable obstacle.
Preventive control of movement of parts. With preventive control, movement of parts is not limited to the free area of \u200b\u200bthe sheet. However, when it enters the overlap zone with other objects, an invalid location is diagnosed by changing the color of the part being moved.
Moving parts to the stop. This function makes it possible to press the part close to the very edge of the free area of \u200b\u200bthe sheet. In other words, this operation moves the part in a certain direction until it rests against the part or the edge of the sheet.
Copy parts back to back.
When copying parts in this mode, the distance is automatically determined by which the part can be moved in the specified direction so that the parts are located close to each other.
Aligning the sides of parts allows you to orient the parts in such a way as to match them with the selected sides.
Aligning parts in a straight line. This feature is useful when positioning parts for through cuts.
Processing programming
After the parts are placed on the sheet, processing is programmed. In the simplest case, it is enough to sequentially indicate the contours of the parts to be machined. The program builds the tool path, taking into account the necessary corrections, generates approaches, offsets and auxiliary tool movements, commands for turning the cutter on and off, feed, offset, etc.
Approach and exit.There is a possibility of various settings for the methods of approaching the contour being machined (along a straight line, along an arc, along a normal, along a tangent, etc.), choosing an approach point (automatically or explicitly) and operating modes of the cutter at various stages of processing.
Jumpers. On the contour of the part, non-cut areas - jumpers can be selected. When constructing a trajectory, the program automatically generates in such places the commands for turning the torch on and off and embeds the approach and exit sections.
Bridges between parts allow you to machine multiple parts without turning off the torch. The definition of the transition points of the path from one part to another is performed after placing the parts and is taken into account when constructing the final path of the torch.
Hinges provide high-quality cornering of parts and can be assigned to any corner.
Assigned processing. To simplify the work, the processing of parts can be programmed at a preliminary stage in order not to repeat the same actions for multiple inclusion of elements in the nest.
Handling processingyu. For non-standard cases, it is possible to construct a trajectory and assign technological commands in an explicit form.
Subroutines provide structuring of the received control program and reduce the volume of the generated text.
Processing of parts with a combined cut. Pairs of parts placed on the sheet at a distance of the cut width can be processed in a single cut without turning off the torch. When machining individual parts, it is sufficient to indicate the contour of the part to be machined first.
Pre-piercing.When machining thick sheets, it may be necessary to first punch holes in the sheet and then do basic processing. Either a separate cutter or a drill can be used for this pretreatment of the sheet. The program allows you to perform machining with preliminary hole punching. There is a possibility of specifying different methods of preliminary piercing.
Positioning over the material. In some cases, it is necessary to move the cutter when moving from contour to contour, bypassing parts and waste separated from the sheet. This function is necessary when cutting foam rubber. It is sometimes required in thermal cutting to prevent the torch from colliding with cut parts and waste. The program provides the possibility of such positioning, taking into account the specified distance to the part and to the edge of the sheet.
Automatic processing
The automatic machining mode makes it possible to maximally simplify the programming of machining a large number of parts. The program itself assigns the sequence of traversing parts on the sheet and performs processing. Various walk-around strategies ensure that the required machining conditions are met.
Preparation of edges for welding
Weld bevelling can be performed on thermal cutting machines equipped with three-cutter blocks. The program provides the ability to process parts with both constant and variable chamfers. A permanent chamfer is characterized by constant front and rear angles and heights along the entire length. A variable chamfer is characterized by a uniform change in angle and height along the length. The program automatically builds into the cutter's path of movement special areas - cut-in windows in the places where the side cutters are switched on and the cutter reversal loops, which ensure the correct orientation of the side cutters and the observance of the necessary processing conditions. The position of the cut-out windows can be changed using a graphical editor.
Sheet layout
The marking on the sheet can be done using powder or core. Marking outlines can be stored in the database along with the part. In this case, the markup is placed on the sheet along with the details. To program the work of the marking block, it is enough to indicate the marking contours in the required sequence. The program will make all the necessary switches and build the trajectory.
Multi-support processing
On machines equipped with multiple supports, several parts can be cut at the same time. The program provides automatic and manual placement of parts, taking into account the capabilities of such equipment. When programming the machining, the required caliper routing is performed automatically.
Use of business waste
Business waste is formed from the unused part of the sheet, which can be placed in a database for later use.
Documenting
The program generates the following output documents:
- cutting chart
- sheet cutting specification
- specification of the cutting task.
As a rule, the specific type of output documents is determined by the traditions of the enterprise. The report generator included in Techtran has a flexible mechanism for setting the format of documents and the amount of information displayed.
Automatic text generation
In the process of constructing geometric objects and designing the cutting of the sheet, the text of the program is formed in the Tekhtran language. The program includes the entire sequence of actions performed and can be used for further work. This allows you to flexibly combine the convenience of the interactive mode with the advantages of the textual representation of the program, which include:
- Use of previously written programs and macros, their quick modification
- Parameterization for typical parts
- Using conditional operators, loops, arithmetic expressions and functions
- Debug and bug fixes
Development and debugging tools
The system includes a set of tools for working with the program in Tekhtran language:
Execution commands (execute an operator, go to a macro, execute the program to the end, to the cursor, etc.) allow you to execute and debug the program in Tekhtran. Using these commands, you can execute the program in whole or in parts, pausing the process to analyze the results of the execution of individual statements.
Implementation controls make it possible to view the values \u200b\u200bof variables, use the graphical window for visual control of program objects and view diagnostic information generated during program execution.
Getting the control program
The postprocessor, which is part of Tekhran, allows you to generate control programs for various CNC machines according to the part processing program and data about the equipment included in the system. Using a part program obtained for one machine, you can get an NC for any other machine from the equipment list.
Customization for specific CNC equipment
Tekhtran provides the ability to customize for specific CNC equipment. To describe the equipment, you need to fill in the machine passport and create a machine module in a special language of the Technical Post. This mechanism allows users to independently take into account the peculiarities of the formation of the PM, developing their own modules based on the existing ones.
Functionality of version 7:
The automatic placement mode using the hodograph allows:
- Place parts on sheets and freeform business waste
- Additionally place parts on sheets on which parts are already placed, increasing the material utilization rate
Processing check
- Control of parts gouging during processing
- Tracking the exit of the machining path outside the sheet
- Checking for rough parts
Advanced mechanism for automatic formation of contours of business waste
Increasing the number of contours in the formation of a business waste in automatic mode
Combining adjacent fragments of business waste sheets
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Batch processing
Batch processing has been implemented - a mode of operation in which a number of actions are automatically performed on sheet nesting. The task of batch processing is to perform a sequence of lengthy operations, to save the user from repeatedly opening database objects, thereby reducing the amount of routine work and increasing efficiency.
In batch mode, the following actions can be performed:
- checking the correct arrangement of parts on the sheet
- automatic processing of parts
- checking the resulting trajectory for gouging
- obtaining contours of business waste, nesting maps, control programs, processing statistics, specification sheet cutting
- export of parts and paths
Calculation of the cost of cutting parts
The calculation allows you to determine the cost of work for the reporting period. The report generates the cost of cutting, calculated on the basis of special tables filled in by the user. Calculation formulas can be adapted. The solution cost estimate takes into account:
- the cost of the sheets to be cut;
- the cost of business waste;
- scrap cost;
- slag cost;
- cost calculated based on:
- total processing time (includes depreciation of equipment and staff salaries);
- number of punctures (includes consumption of nozzles, gases, energy);
- cutting path / time (includes consumption of nozzles, gases, energy).
- path / time of idling (includes gas consumption, energy).
The cost is calculated separately for each sheet cut.
The costs can be summed up for the specification of the cutting order.
The cost can be allocated to parts in proportion to their area and perimeter.
Calculation formulas can be individually adapted to the specific requirements of the enterprise.
Duct Element Library
A library of air duct elements has been developed, consisting of shaped parts of air ducts (optional).
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Using the library allows you to:
- get sweeps of parts with the required characteristics
- using the preview window to select the optimal combination of those parameters that are not fixed (for example, the location of the cut line of a cylindrical section).
- include additional connecting elements in the part - folds.
- take into account the thickness of the sheet in order to compensate for the deformations of its outer and inner surfaces that occur during the bending process.
- split the part into several fragments if necessary
- select elements and assign geometric and technological parameters in the dialog mode
- automatically generate sweeps taking into account the bend radius
- quickly view and change options for unfolding
- view 3D models of the resulting joints
Using the duct element library will allow:
- reduce the design time of reamers
- take into account the technological features of element connections
- get high accuracy of building sweeps
- control the geometry of the constructed sweeps at the design stage
Importing dstv (nc) files
Import will allow you to transfer not only the geometry of parts and its designation, but also the number of parts required for cutting, indicating the thickness of the material. DSTV (NC) support programs - Tekla Structures, Advance Steel, StruCAD.
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Economical linear cutting of materials (cutting moldings) is relevant for many industries and in construction. This is sawing logs and planks in woodworking, cutting bars, reinforcing bars, corners, channels, pipes, I-beams into blanks ...
In the manufacture of metal structures and mechanical engineering, cross-cutting of rolls of paper and fabric in the pulp and light industry.
Despite the apparent simplicity, solving linear cutting tasks is not very easy, but worthwhile. The introduction of a scientific approach to the cutting of molded materials can reduce their costs, sometimes by more than 10%! Read the article to the end and make sure that these words are correct.
The topic under consideration relates to linear programming problems. To solve such problems, scientists have come up with several different methods over the past 70 years.
Index method L.V. Kantorovich and V.A. Zalgaller, with a certain skill, allows you to effectively perform linear cutting "manually" without the use of computer technology. I recommend that curious readers familiarize themselves with this method by reading the book of the above authors "Rational Cutting of Industrial Materials".
A simplex method based on the ideas of L.V. Kantorovich, was described and developed in detail by a number of scientists from the United States in the middle of the 20th century. The MS Excel add-in "Solver" uses this algorithm. It is with this method andExcel we will solve the linear cutting problem in this article.
Later, genetic, greedy and ant algorithms appeared and developed. However, we will limit ourselves to listing them and get down to business without getting into the jungle of theories (although it is very interesting there, "in the jungle").
Let's turn on Excel and, using a simple example of cutting metal rods into parts, we will get acquainted with one of the ways to solve practical problems of linear cutting. Mathematicians often refer to this problem as the "sawing problem".
I did not come up with the initial data for the example, but took from the article by Pokrovsky M.A. "Minimization of the inevitable loss of materials in industrial production during their cutting into piece blanks" published in No. 5 (May 2015) of the electronic scientific and technical journal "Engineering Bulletin" published by FGBOU VPO "MSTU im. N.E. Bauman "(link:engbul. bmstu. ru/ doc/775784. html).
The goal I pursued was to compare the results of solving the problem.
An example of solving a linear cutting problem in MS Excel.
Let's agree that:
1. Blanks are raw materials in the form of bars, strips, rods, etc. the same length.
2. Parts are elements that need to be obtained by cutting the original blanks into pieces.
3. The width of the saw, cut, cut is taken to be zero.
The task:
To complete one of the orders, the blank section must cut three standard sizes of parts on combined scissors from the same billet bars 1500 mm long:
151 pieces 330 mm long
206 pieces 270 mm long
163 pieces 190 mm long
It is required to find the optimal cutting plan that uses the minimum amount of material and gives, accordingly, the minimum amount of waste.
Initial data:
1. Length of original blanks Ls in millimeters we write in the combined cell
D3E3F3: 1500
2. Assigning numbers i all standard sizes of parts, from the longest to the shortest in the cells
D4; E4; F4: 1; 2; 3
3. Lengths of parts Ld i in millimeters we write in
D5; E5; F5: 330; 270; 190
4. Number of details Nd i in pieces we bring in
D6; E6; F6: 151; 206; 163
5. We proceed to a very important stage - filling in the cutting options.
Must be remembered and understood 2 principles of doing this work.
1. Waste lengths should be less than the smallest part ( 0< Lo j < Ld min ).
2. We begin to “lay” the parts into the workpiece with the largest parts and with the largest number of them, gradually moving downward.
If there is no standard size of parts in the cutting option, then we leave the cell empty, we will not write zero to facilitate the visual perception of the table.
Cutting option No. 1:
An attempt to carve out 5 parts No. 1 from one workpiece is impossible, so we write in the cell
It is also impossible to add part No. 2 or part No. 3 to the nest, so we leave empty cells
Cutting option No. 2:
Reduce the number of parts No. 1 by 1 from the previous version and write in
We try to add 2 details No. 2 - it does not work, so we add in
It remains possible to supplement the cutting with part No. 3. We put in
Adhering to the principles voiced, we fill in by analogy all 18 options for cutting possible in this case.
Having made a couple of tables of cutting options yourself, you will understand the logic of actions and will spend a few minutes on this work.
If the first principle is not fulfilled during cutting, then the cell with the length of the withdrawal is automatically colored red. Conditional formatting applied to cells G7… G24 will help you in this work.
Do not write anything in cells H7 ... H24! They are used to display the result of the solution!
Preparing for a solution:
* In cells G7 ... G24, the lengths of the waste (cuttings) remaining as a result of the cuts are calculated using the formula
Lo j = L s -Σ (Ld i * Nd ij )
6. The number of parts of each standard size, manufactured according to all applied cutting options, will be counted in cells D26, E26 and F26 using the formula
Nd i settlement = Σ (Nd ij * Ns j )
The number of parts in the cutting plan found at the end of the solution must fully correspond to the specified number of parts!
7. The required number of blanks to execute the optimal cutting plan will be determined in the combined cell D27E27F27 by the formula
N s calc \u003dΣN s j
8. The total length of all blanks required to perform linear cutting of all parts will be calculated in the combined cell D28E28F28 using the formula
Ls Σ = L h *Ns calc
9. The total length of all waste resulting from the found cutting plan will be calculated in the combined cell D29E29F29 using the formula
Labout Σ = Σ (Labout j * Ns j )
10. The proportion of waste generated by the optimal line cutting plan of the total amount of material used will be calculated in the combined cell D30E30F30 using the formula
Ωo = Lo Σ / Lz Σ
Decision:
The preparation has been completed, 18 options for the most optimal cutting of one workpiece into parts have been identified and all the necessary formulas have been entered. Now we have to solve the main task: to determine optimal cutting plan - how many blanks, and according to which cutting options to cutin order to end up with all the necessary parts in the right quantity with a minimum of waste.
1. Choose in the main menu "Service" - "Search for a solution ...".
2. In the appeared window of the same name "Search for a solution" make settings.
2.1. We assign the total length of waste to the target function Lo Σ and enter the link into the target cell window.
2.2. Set the "Equal:" switch to the "minimum value" position.
2.3. Specifying cells with variables Nz j in the Modifying Cells window.
2.4. We introduce restrictions in the window of the same name. As conditions, we indicate the need for equality of the given Nd i and estimated Nd icalc the number of parts, as well as for variables Nz j - the estimated number of blanks for the cutting options - we impose a limitation: these must be whole numbers.
3. Press the button "Options" and in the drop-down window "Search for a solution" make the settings as shown in the following screenshot. Close the window with the "OK" button.
4. In the "Search for a solution" window, click the "Run" button and wait for Excel to find a solution. This can take several minutes.
5. After saving the found solution with the "OK" button, the results will be displayed in cells H7 ... H24 on the Excel sheet.
The following picture shows the found optimal linear cutting plan.
What's the bottom line?
Linear cutting in Excel of blanks for tasks similar to the one discussed in this article is performed using the method described above in 10-15 minutes! “Manually,” without knowing the Kantorovich index method, you cannot find a solution for such a time.
Having launched the "Search for a solution" several times with different search parameters, it was possible to find 5 different cutting plans. All 5 plans require the same number of blanks - 93 and give only 2.21% waste !!! These plans are almost 6% better than the plan calculated by Pokrovsky and more than 10% more economical than the "Traditional" plan (see the link to the source in the first part of the article). A very decent result was achieved quickly and without the use of expensive programs.
It should be noted that the Excel Solver add-in ("Search for a solution"), which uses the simplex method for solving linear programming problems, can work with no more than 200 variables. In the application to the linear cutting problem we have considered, this means that the number of cuts cannot exceed 200 options. This is sufficient for simple tasks. For more complex tasks, you should try to apply a "mixture" of the "greedy" algorithm and the simplex Solver method, selecting from the complete list of cuts no more than 200 of the most economical ones. Next, we have patience and achieve results. You can try to break a complex problem into several simple ones, but the “level of optimality” of the solution found will most likely be lower.
Perhaps the considered option for solving linear cutting issues is not "aerobatics", but definitely a step forward compared to the "traditional" approach in many industries.
The use of the MS Excel add-in "Search for a solution" (Solver) was already discussed on the blog once in the article. I think that this wonderful tool is worthy of close attention and will more than once help to gracefully and quickly solve a number of new non-trivial problems.
P.S. Links to the best free line nesting software I've found on the web:
http://stroymaterial-buy.ru/raschet/70-raskroy-lineynih-izdeliy.html
http://forum-okna.ru/index.php?app\u003dcore&module\u003dattach§ion\u003dattach & attach_id \u003d 7508
http://forum.dwg.ru/attachment.php?attachmentid\u003d114501&d\u003d13823277 74
http://www.planetcalc.ru/917/
The programs on the last two links implement greedy heuristics and perform linear nesting in the problem from the article, using as many as 103 blanks. The use of greedy algorithms is justified in cases where it is necessary to reduce the total time of the cutting operation with too many cutting options in more optimal plans.
Below the article in the "Reviews" section, you can write your comments, dear readers.
You can also cut sheet material manually, but it takes a lot of time and special skills. It is much easier to do this by using companion programs. They will help you optimize the nesting plan, suggest other layout options and allow you to edit it yourself. In this article, we have selected several representatives for you who do an excellent job of their task.
Astra Nesting allows you to work with orders by importing their blanks from the catalog. There are only a few templates in the trial version, but their list will expand after purchasing a program license. The user manually forms the sheet and adds details to the project, after which the software automatically creates an optimized cutting plan. It opens in the editor, where it is available for editing.
Astra S-Nesting
The next representative differs from the previous one in that it offers only a basic set of functions and tools. In addition, only pre-prepared parts of certain formats can be added. The cutting plan will only appear after purchasing the full version of Astra S-Nesting. In addition, there are several types of reports that are generated automatically and can be printed immediately.
Plaz5
Plaz5 is outdated software, has not been supported by the developer for a long time, but this does not prevent him from performing his task efficiently. The program is quite easy to use and does not require any special knowledge or skills. The cutting plan is created quite quickly, and the user is only required to specify the parameters of parts, sheets and design the card.
ORION
The last on our list will be ORION. The program is implemented in the form of several tables, into which the necessary information is entered, and then the most optimized cutting map is created. Of the additional functions, there is only the ability to add an edge. ORION is distributed for a fee, and the trial version is available for download on the official website of the developers.
Cutting sheet material is a rather complicated and time-consuming process, but this is if you do not use special software. Thanks to the programs that we reviewed in this article, the process of drawing up a nesting map does not take much time, and the user is required to make a minimum amount of effort.