US 6,690,990 B1 · Method of optimizing a layout of selected parts to be cut

Abstract

A method of optimizing a layout of selected parts to be cut from a piece of raw material such as wood, uses data representing geometric and defect-related characteristics of the each piece and data representing geometric and grade characteristics of a set of parts to be cut. A subset of parts characterized by a predetermined grade (quality) value and associated with a predetermined group of dimension values (width/length) is defined, as well as an arrangement of subdivided piece surface sections to be obtained through a primary cutting operation according to one or more of the width/length values. One or more subsections included in each piece surface section is defined according to the geometric and defect-related characteristics of the piece, and, for each subsection, a plurality of arrangements of parts to be included therein and selected from the subset of parts, to be obtained through a secondary cut operation, are defined. Then, yield values associated with the arrangements of parts are estimated, which are compared to select the arrangement of parts having a highest yield value. Hence, a basic yield value for the arrangement of subdivided piece surface sections is estimated, and the above optimization sequence repeated for one or more new arrangements of subdivided piece surface sections to estimate corresponding basic yield values, which are in turn compared one with another to select the arrangement of subdivided piece surface sections providing a maximal basic yield value to be included in the optimized layout of selected parts to be cut.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method of optimizing a layout of selected parts to be cut from a piece of raw material with respect to first and second orthogonal reference axis, using data representing geometric and defect-related characteristics of said piece and data representing geometric and grade characteristics of a set of parts to be cut, said method comprising the steps of:

i) defining a subset of said set of parts characterized by a predetermined grade value and associated with a predetermined group of first dimension values defined with respect to said first axis;
ii) generating data defining an arrangement of subdivided piece surface sections to be obtained through a primary cutting operation with respect to said second reference axis and according to one or more of said first dimension values;
iii) generating data defining one or more subsections included in each said piece surface section according to said geometric and defect-related characteristics of said piece;
iv) generating data defining for each said subsection a plurality of arrangements of parts to be included therein and selected from said subset of parts, to be obtained through a secondary cutting operation with respect to said first reference axis;
v) estimating yield values associated with said arrangements of parts;
vi) comparing said yield values to select one of said arrangements of parts having a highest yield value;
vii) estimating a basic yield value for said arrangement of subdivided piece surface sections;
viii) repeating said steps ii) to vii) for one or more new arrangements of subdivided piece surface sections to estimate corresponding basic yield values;
and
ix) comparing all said basic yield values one with another to select said arrangement of subdivided piece surface sections associated with said arrangements of parts providing a maximal basic yield value to be included in said optimized layout of selected parts to be cut.

7 more elements

A software product data recording medium in which program code is stored, which program code will cause a computer to perform a method of optimizing a layout of selected parts to be cut from a piece of raw material with respect to first and second orthogonal reference axis, using data representing geometric and defect-related characteristics of said piece and data representing geometric and grade characteristics of a set of parts to be cut, said method comprising the steps of:

i) defining a subset of said set of parts characterized by a predetermined grade value and associated with a predetermined group of first dimension values defined with respect to said first axis;
ii) generating data defining an arrangement of subdivided piece surface sections to be obtained through a primary cutting operation with respect to said second reference axis and according to one or more of said first dimension values;
iii) generating data defining one or more subsections included in each said piece surface section according to said geometric and defect-related characteristics of said piece;
iv) generating data defining for each said subsection a plurality of arrangements of parts to be included therein and selected from said subset of parts, to be obtained through a secondary cutting operation with respect to said first reference axis;
v) estimating yield values associated with said arrangements of parts;
vi) comparing said yield values to select one of said arrangements of parts having a highest yield value;
vii) estimating a basic yield value for said arrangement of subdivided piece surface sections;
viii) repeating said steps ii) to vii) for one or more new arrangements of subdivided piece surface sections to estimate corresponding basic yield values;
and
ix) comparing all said basic yield values one with another to select said arrangement of subdivided piece surface sections associated with said arrangements of parts providing a maximal basic yield value to be included in said optimized layout of selected parts to be cut.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method of optimizing a layout of selected parts to be cut

Life of this patent

Method of optimizing a layout of selected parts to be cut

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19