Automatically select sheet
For a nesting job containing multiple parts and sheet types, it is difficult for the user to select the best sheet type or best sequence of sheets in order to obtain best yield based on the sheet utilization factor. Since it is very important to predict and procure the inventory in correct numbers, an Inventory Forecasting Module (IFM) which forecasts the optimum sheet inventory is necessary.
The Inventory Forecasting Module operates within CAMWorksNesting in the form of 'Automatically Select Sheet' checkbox option.
This option is available under the Nesting Data group box in the Create Nesting Job dialog.
'Automatic Sheet Selection' supports two methods:
Unique Sheet Forecaster: If this method is selected, the feature would select one best sheet among the set of sheets considered, depending upon overall utilization obtained. After knowing which sheet type is the best for that particular nesting order, the user can place an order for that much quantity of the sheet type. This will help in reducing the sheet variety – thus reducing the time required for machine specific sheet settings.
Combinatorial Sheet Forecaster: If this method is selected, the feature selects a combination of sheet types from the set of sheets available in the Sheet list, depending on the overall utilization obtained.
Setting the Forecaster Method in DefaultValues.ini
At any given point of time, only one of the above mentioned Forecaster methods can be used. These settings are available in the DefaultValues.ini file. The default method is Combinatorial Sheet Forecaster.
To learn more about how to change the Inventory Forecaster method in DefaultValues.ini, click here.
How 'Automatically select sheet' works
When the 'Automatically select sheet' option is not selected, CAMWorksNesting nests the part(s) on a sheet layout based on the chronological sequence of the sheets listed in the Sheet list.
When the 'Automatically select sheet' option is selected, CAMWorksNesting nests the part on a sheet layout based on the utilization factor. If the Inventory Forecasting method used is 'Unique Sheet Forecaster', then CAMWorksNesting will nest the parts only in sheet providing maximum utilization factor. If the Inventory Forecasting method used is 'Combinatorial Sheet Forecaster', then CAMWorksNesting will nest the part(s) in a combination of sheets in descending order of its utilization factor.
Note:
The 'Automatically select sheet' option is active only multiple sheets are present in the sheet list on to which a part/parts can be nested.
- You can change the default settings in CAMWorksNesting if you wish to keep the 'Automatically select sheet' option enabled by default. To understand how to change the settings, click here.
Illustration:
Nesting Job details:
Consider a part which can be nested on two sheets 'S1' and 'S2' listed in the Sheet List. The number of instances of the part to be nested (quantity) is 1000. Sheet S1 has a utilization factor of 50% and can nest 100 instances of the part in each sheet layout. Its quantity is '7'. Sheet S2 has a utilization factor of 60% and can nest 150 instances of the part in each sheet layout. Its quantity is '6'.
Nesting Job executed without 'Automatically select sheet'
When the 'Automatically select sheet' option is not selected, CAMWorksNesting will nest 100 instances of the part based on the chronological sequence of the sheets in the Sheet list. Since S1 is listed first in the Sheet list with a quantity of 7,seven layouts with sheet S1 will be generated, each nesting 100 instances of the part. Next, two layouts with Sheet 'S2' will be nested, each nesting 150 instances of the part. Thus, all thousand instances [(100 X 7 = 700); (150 X 2 = 300)]of the part will be nested.
Nesting Job executed with 'Automatically select sheet' using 'Unique Sheet Forecaster'
When the 'Automatically select sheet' option is selected and the IFM method is set to 'Unique Sheet Forecaster' in the DefaultValues.ini, CAMWorksNesting will only consider the sheet with the higher utilization factor. Since sheet 'S2' has a higher utilization factor than 'S1', the parts will be nested only on sheet 'S2'. The sheet quantity for sheet 'S2' is '5'. Five layouts with sheet S2 will be generated, each nesting 150 instances of the part. Thus, 900 instances [150 X 6 = 900] of the part will be nested.
Nesting Job executed with 'Automatically select sheet' using 'Combinatorial Sheet Forecaster'
When the 'Automatically select sheet' option is selected and the IFM method is set to 'Combinatorial Sheet Forecaster' in the DefaultValues.ini, CAMWorksNesting will only first nest the part on the sheet with the highest utilization factor. Since sheet 'S2' has a higher utilization factor than 'S1', the parts will be nested first on sheet 'S2'. The sheet quantity for sheet 'S2' is '5'. Hence, five layouts with sheet S2 will be generated, each nesting 150 instances of the part. Thus, 900 instances [150 X 6 = 900] of the part will be nested. After the specified quantity for 'S2' is exhausted, CAMWorks nesting will use sheet 'S1' to nest the remaining 100 parts. One layout with sheet S1 will be generated, nesting 100 instances of the part. Thus, 1000 instances [(150 X 6 = 900); (100 X 1 = 100)] of the part will be nested.