Computer-implemented nesting method that generates a nesting plan by nesting workpiece components on a workpiece sheet.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a computer-implemented nesting method (100) for generating a nesting plan (46) by nesting workpiece components (44) having different two-dimensional workpiece shapes on a workpiece sheet (40) having a two-dimensional workpiece sheet shape, wherein the nesting plan (46) can be used for a laser cutting method (300) to cut the nested workpiece components (44) from the workpiece sheet (40) according to the nesting plan (46).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a computer-implemented nesting method for generating a nesting plan by nesting workpiece parts having different two-dimensional workpiece part shapes on a workpiece sheet having a two-dimensional workpiece sheet shape. The nesting plan can be used for a laser cutting method for cutting the workpiece parts nested according to the nesting plan from the workpiece sheet arranged on the workpiece support.

[0002] Cutting methods for cutting out workpiece parts from a workpiece sheet and upstream nesting methods using, for example, precise methods or heuristic methods are known from the prior art. Nesting refers to the assignment or placement of the workpiece parts to be cut on the workpiece sheet for a subsequent laser cutting method. In other words, a unique position on the workpiece sheet or its workpiece sheet shape is assigned to the workpiece parts cut out in the workpiece part shape. This assignment or distribution is referred to herein as the nesting of the workpiece parts on the workpiece sheet and is stored in the nesting plan. In the laser cutting method, the nesting plan can be called, and the workpiece sheet can be cut to obtain individual workpiece parts by tracing the cutting edge with a laser according to the contour of the workpiece parts on the workpiece sheet.

[0003] The purpose of the nesting method is to create a nesting plan that enables the workpiece sheet to be used as efficiently as possible with as little waste as possible.

[0004] One of the challenges of nesting methods is that, during laser cutting, only a portion of the laser energy is absorbed by the material of the workpiece sheet being cut, resulting in a large amount of laser energy being radiated in the direction of the workpiece support on which the workpiece sheet rests. Therefore, the workpiece support is typically considered a wear part that needs to be replaced frequently. Such workpiece supports typically consist of vertical support bars that support the part on evenly distributed tips. A problem with such workpiece supports is that the cut workpiece part may tend to tilt, creating a risk of collision between the tilted workpiece part and the laser cutting head used in the laser cutting method.

[0005] One way to minimize this risk is to use a uniform minimum workpiece distance between any two adjacent workpiece parts in the nesting plan so that the currently cut and inclined workpiece part can pass without collision when the next workpiece part is cut, and this distance can be selected depending on the radius of the laser cutting head or its nozzle in particular. In the prior art, a uniform and conservative spacing between workpiece parts, for example 15 mm, is selected across all workpiece parts. Since such a conservative workpiece spacing is not always necessary, the inventors have recognized that this uniform workpiece spacing is very inefficient in terms of material usage. [Background technology]

[0006] The objective of this invention is to propose a nesting method that can generate particularly efficient nesting plans.

[0007] Summary of the Invention The objective is achieved using the computer-implemented nesting method described in claim 1. Thus, a computer-implemented nesting method is proposed for generating a nesting plan by nesting workpiece components having different two-dimensional workpiece component shapes on a workpiece sheet having a two-dimensional workpiece sheet shape, the nesting plan can be used in a laser cutting method for cutting the nested workpiece components from a workpiece sheet placed on a workpiece support, particularly on a support grid, according to the nesting plan, the nesting method comprising the following method steps: (a) A step of reading the shape data of the workpiece part, (b) A step of confirming at least some individual shape characteristics of the workpiece component from its shape data, (c) A step of determining the spacing between individual workpieces between adjacent workpiece parts on the workpiece sheet based on their individual shape characteristics, (d) The step of nesting workpiece components on a workpiece sheet with spacing between the individual workpieces.

[0008] The nesting method according to the present invention enables more efficient use of the workpiece sheet by nesting with individual workpiece spacings rather than conservative, uniform workpiece spacings. Due to the individual workpiece spacings, smaller workpiece spacings can also be selected between at least some or all of the workpiece components, thereby saving space or surface area on the workpiece sheet, which can then be used to arrange or nest additional workpiece components. In this way, the material of the workpiece sheet is reduced from the remaining material after cutting, or less waste is achieved. Such increased material efficiency through closer nesting of workpiece components can be achieved according to the present invention, as will be described in more detail below, while maintaining a high level of process reliability with respect to the laser cutting method.

[0009] The spacing between individual workpieces is not selected randomly. Instead, the spacing between individual workpieces is determined based on previously loaded geometry data. For this purpose, the individual geometry characteristics of some or all of the workpiece components nested on the workpiece sheet are confirmed from the loaded geometry data. This allows the geometry of individual workpiece components to be used as the basis for determining the workpiece spacing, thereby enabling the selection of individual workpiece spacings according to their geometry. "Individually" specifically means that the workpiece spacing is selected individually for each workpiece component. This does not mean that all workpiece spacings from adjacent workpiece components must be different.

[0010] The spacing between individual workpieces can be freely selected or derived from a group of at least two defined workpiece spacings to speed up the nesting method. The spacing between individual workpieces can be determined using, for example, algorithms, artificial intelligence, lookup tables, etc. In particular, when determining the spacing between individual workpieces of a workpiece component, the geometric characteristics of the component itself and the geometric characteristics of at least one workpiece component or all (directly) adjacent workpiece components are taken into consideration.

[0011] The nesting method can generate a nesting plan for the first time, or it can be applied to an already generated nesting plan to partially re-nest it (method step (d)). In principle, the nesting problem of efficiently nesting workpiece parts on a workpiece sheet can be divided into three sub-problems. First, it is possible to determine which workpiece parts to place or nest on which workpiece sheet. Second, it is possible to determine the order in which to nest individual workpiece parts. Third, it is possible to determine the unique position of each workpiece part on the workpiece sheet. Each sub-problem can be solved using different methods, such as particularly precise methods, heuristic methods, or the use of artificial intelligence. The nesting method according to the present invention can implement various known methods for efficient nesting if necessary. However, in this case, with respect to nesting, it is only necessary that the spacing between individual workpieces is used for nesting workpiece parts. In other words, the nesting method according to the present invention can, of course, implement further methods to specify the position, orientation, etc., of individual workpiece parts on the workpiece sheet in addition to the spacing between individual workpieces in order to enable efficient nesting.

[0012] The fact that step (b) is performed for at least some of the nested workpiece components means that it is also possible to determine the workpiece spacing for at least one or more workpiece components using a different method, for example, by strictly defined workpiece spacing. Nevertheless, it can be stipulated that, in order to perform nesting, the individual workpiece spacing is determined for all workpiece components nested on the workpiece sheet. Furthermore, steps (a) to (d) are performed in the specified order.

[0013] In particular, it can be specified that individual shape characteristics are verified by comparing the loaded shape data with at least one predefined shape parameter. The advantage of this is that the shape data is evaluated in a defined manner in order to obtain individual shape characteristics.

[0014] In particular, it can be specified that at least one shape parameter is predetermined to indicate the process risk of the laser cutting method. By comparing one or more shape parameters that correlate with or indicate at least one of the process risk parameters listed below with shape data, it is possible to determine the spacing between individual workpieces in a manner optimized on the one hand with respect to material efficiency and on the other hand with respect to process reliability.

[0015] Process risks can be defined as the process stability of the laser cutting method, the probability that a workpiece component will tilt on the workpiece support, the probability that a workpiece component will collide with the cutting head used in the laser cutting method, and / or the probability that a workpiece component will fall through the workpiece support, particularly the support grid. For example, the higher the probability that a workpiece component will tilt based on its shape parameters, the larger the individual workpiece spacing can be selected. Conversely, if the probability of tilting is low and other process risk parameters are also particularly favorable, smaller individual workpiece spacings can be determined. This ensures that larger workpiece spacings are used only in workpiece sheets or nesting plans where there is a process risk of the type defined by the above process risk parameters. However, if the process risk is low, the workpiece spacing can be kept to a minimum, or even eliminated entirely. However, since a certain minimum workpiece spacing is typically desired to obtain high cutting quality, it is preferable that the minimum workpiece spacing be maintained in the nesting plan, even if individual workpiece spacings have been determined. This minimum workpiece spacing will naturally be smaller than the conservative, uniform workpiece spacing of the prior art described above, which is selected to minimize process risk.

[0016] In particular, each individual shape characteristic can provide a value for at least one of the aforementioned process risk parameters: process stability, inclination probability, collision probability, and fall probability. Through such calculations, it is possible to specify the process risk arising from a workpiece component by specifying individual shape characteristics.

[0017] At least one shape parameter can be defined as at least one of the following shape parameters: support surface, center of gravity, and extension along at least one coordinate in a two-dimensional coordinate system. The aforementioned shape parameters have been demonstrated to a particularly high degree to have a decisive influence on the relevant process risk parameters in the laser cutting method, particularly the aforementioned process parameters such as process stability, probability of tilting, probability of collision, and probability of dropping. For example, it may be important whether the support surface of the workpiece component is typically resting on more than three support pins or fewer support pins of the workpiece support. It may also be decisive whether the workpiece component is typically resting on two support pins of the workpiece support along two coordinates or axes in a two-dimensional coordinate system. These factors, and for example, the center of gravity of the workpiece component, as shape parameters, determine the process risk of the workpiece component, particularly its likelihood of tilting and collision. By comparing shape data with these shape parameters, it is possible to estimate the level of process risk. The ranges of different values ​​for shape parameters can be stored, for example, in the aforementioned lookup table, particularly for different process risk values, and, if necessary, for each value range or even for the workpiece spacing of the process risk values. This means that the individual workpiece spacing for each workpiece part can be determined very quickly.

[0018] Furthermore, the workpiece support can be defined to include a support area formed in particular by support webs and / or support pins. In one modification, support pins can be arranged on the support webs so that the support webs are arranged parallel to each other. A workpiece support having such a support area has the advantage of being cost-effective to manufacture and enabling simple laser machining of the workpiece sheet placed thereon. However, it has the disadvantages that it may be damaged by the laser and must be repaired or replaced, and that workpiece parts may tilt and collide with the cutting head.

[0019] In principle, the nesting method according to the present invention can be implemented without knowing the position of individual workpiece components on the workpiece support, particularly the position of the support web and / or support pins. However, the structure of the workpiece support and the arrangement of workpiece components on the workpiece support, especially their support pins, have been shown to play a role in the process risks described above, particularly whether any of the workpiece components are tilted and whether collision with the cutting head is possible. In particular, to reduce process risks, it is possible to determine the expected position of the workpiece components on the workpiece support when determining the spacing between individual workpieces, and to take this expected position into consideration when determining the spacing between individual workpieces.

[0020] In particular, the predicted position may include information about which support area of ​​the workpiece support on which the workpiece component is placed, for example, a support pin, and this information is taken into consideration when determining the spacing between individual workpieces. The predicted position can be confirmed, for example, by appropriate sensors and / or cameras on the corresponding machine tool.

[0021] Furthermore, it can be specified that when determining the spacing between individual workpieces, at least one cutting parameter of the laser cutting method, the machine parameters of the machine tool for machining the workpiece sheet, and / or the material parameters of the workpiece sheet are taken into consideration. The cutting parameter may, in particular, be the gas pressure and / or the cutting gap width. The material parameter may, for example, be the thickness of the material and / or the weight of the material, in particular the specific weight per unit volume. In this way, the spacing between individual workpieces can be determined with greater precision, especially in a specific, pre-selected manner, without exceeding process risks.

[0022] In principle, the process risk of the laser cutting method can be defined in a separate method step and taken into consideration when determining the spacing between individual workpieces. Thus, the measures of material efficiency and process reliability of the nesting method, which are at least partially conflicting objectives, can be defined in each case by the corresponding determination of the spacing between individual workpieces.

[0023] Furthermore, it can be specified that workpiece components are classified into at least two shape classes based on their shape data, and that individual shape characteristics are examined only for workpiece components that fall into one of the two predefined shape classes. One of the at least two shape classes can be selected so that workpiece components with the least process risk are classified into this shape class. This enables pre-selection of workpiece components based on their process risk. For example, if a workpiece component is very large and rests on many support points of the workpiece support, and is therefore typically very stable on the workpiece support based on its shape data, the process risk of these workpiece components tilting and colliding with the cutting head is very low. By classifying such workpiece components into a shape class with no process risk, it becomes unnecessary to implement the nesting method in all method steps for these workpiece components. Instead, for example, a predefined minimum workpiece spacing can be selected for each of these workpiece components, which can be the minimum for the desired cutting quality. For example, a workpiece component that is very small and therefore cannot fall through the workpiece support and thus cannot collide with the cutting head can be classified into a further shape class. These workpiece components are typically nested to remain on the remaining material after laser cutting with microjoints. For these workpiece components, it is not necessary to perform the entire nesting method involving procedures (a) to (d). This allows the nesting method to be concentrated on critical workpiece components through intelligent pre-selection, as individual shape characteristics are only examined for those workpiece components that fall into a predefined shape class where process risks exist.

[0024] Furthermore, the nesting method can be defined to further include a method step of determining the orientation of each workpiece on the workpiece sheet based on the individual shape characteristics of at least some of the workpiece parts. By determining the orientation of each workpiece, it becomes possible to determine whether the process risk of the workpiece parts can be reduced by reorientation, especially when the relative positions of the workpiece parts on the support area of the workpiece support are known. Based on the individual shape characteristics, the process risk of the workpiece parts can be determined, and if necessary, the risk can be reduced by reorientation on the workpiece sheet.

[0025] The above object is further achieved by the computer program product according to claim 13. The computer program product includes commands that cause a computer to implement the nesting method according to the present invention when the program is executed by the computer.

[0026] The computer program product can be, for example, the computer program code itself, or a product including the computer program, such as a data carrier or a data storage device.

[0027] The above object is also achieved by the machining method according to claim 14. The machining method is designed for machining a workpiece sheet, and the machining method - the nesting method according to the present invention for generating a nesting plan for nesting workpiece parts having different two-dimensional workpiece part shapes on a workpiece sheet having a two-dimensional workpiece sheet shape, and A laser cutting method for cutting nested workpiece parts according to a nesting plan, in particular by a laser cutting beam emitted from a cutting head, from a workpiece sheet, the method comprising: using a laser cutting beam to trace a cutting contour of a workpiece part shape of the workpiece parts nested on the workpiece sheet according to the nesting plan in order to cut out the workpiece parts.

[0028] The above object is also finally achieved by the system according to claim 15. The system is configured to machine a workpiece sheet, and the system - a computer for implementing a nesting method of the machining method according to the present invention, - a laser cutting device for implementing a laser cutting method of the machining method (according to the present invention), and is provided with.

[0029] A computer that can be embodied particularly as a control unit or as part of a control unit can also be used to control the cutting device. The computer can include a computer program product according to the present invention.

[0030] The computer and the laser cutting device can be spatially separated from each other or can be in close proximity to each other. For example, they can be connected to each other via wireless communication or wired communication, or can be configured at least for such a communication link. For example, the computer can be on a remote cloud and can wirelessly transmit the generated nesting plan to the laser cutting device, particularly to a machine tool having the laser cutting device. Alternatively, the machine tool can generate a nesting plan locally using the computer.

[0031] The system may include, in particular, a machine tool, and the laser cutting device may be part of the machine tool. Needless to say, such a machine tool may also have further components necessary or beneficial to the machining method, such as a workpiece support, a workpiece part collection device, a (linear) robot for moving the cutting head, etc. If the computer is located within the machine tool, the system may be formed in particular by the machine tool.

[0032] The features of nesting methods described herein also apply to computer program products, machining methods, and systems, and vice versa.

[0033] Further details and advantageous configurations of the present invention can be found in the following description, and exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described and explained in more detail thereunder. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0034] [Figure 1] A perspective view of a system in the form of a machine tool according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a laser cutting device, which is part of the machine tool. [Figure 3] A schematic diagram of the nesting plan is shown. [Figure 4] A schematic diagram of a nesting method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 5] A schematic diagram showing the application of the nesting method in Figure 4 is shown.

[0035] In the following description and drawings, the same reference numerals are used in each case for identical or corresponding features.

[0036] Figure 1 shows a system 10 in the form of a machine tool, more specifically in the form of a laser cutting machine, more specifically in the form of a laser cutting flatbed machine tool, having a laser cutting device 20 from which a laser cutting method is carried out using a laser cutting beam 1 (see Figure 2). In particular, the focus of the laser cutting beam 1 is guided by a computer 50 (see Figure 2), particularly in the form of a machine tool control device, along a predetermined cutting contour 42 disposed within a cutting area on a plate-like workpiece sheet 40, particularly a metal sheet extending substantially two-dimensionally, in order to cut out a workpiece part 44 therefrom having a specific shape or shape defined therefrom according to a nesting plan 46 (see the predetermined shape of the workpiece part 44 in a workpiece sheet 40 according to the nesting plan 46). The nesting plan 46 can be defined by a control plan for the computer 50.

[0037] The machine tool here, as an example, further comprises a removal device 30. The removal device 30 is shown here in an open state for better illustration, but alternatively, it may be partially or completely enclosed, as in the laser cutting device 20 in Figure 1. The removal device 30 comprises, for example, a pallet changer 32. The pallet changer 32 is configured to position one or more pallets 38 during manufacturing. The workpiece sheet 40 to be cut is placed and stored (as raw material or starting material) on the pallet 38 and can be introduced into the housing of the laser cutting device 20 for the laser cutting method. Once the cutting process is complete, the pallet 38 with the machined workpiece sheet 40 can be moved from the laser cutting device 20, as shown in Figure 1, so that the workpiece parts 44 cut according to the nesting plan 46 can be separated from the remaining workpieces on the workpiece sheet 40 and removed from the machine tool.

[0038] Figure 2 shows a laser cutting method 300 in a laser cutting device 20. A cutting head 24, controlled by a computer 50 and projecting a laser cutting beam 1 onto a workpiece sheet 40 to cut out workpiece parts 44 from the workpiece sheet 40, can be freely positioned within the cutting area so that the laser cutting beam 1 can be guided substantially along any desired two-dimensional cutting contour 42 on the workpiece sheet 40 to be cut. In this case, the cutting contour 42 for the laser cutting beam 1 is predetermined in the computer 50 in each case based on a nesting plan 46 in order to cut out workpiece parts 44 from the workpiece sheet 40. Here, the computer 50 is shown as an example as a fixed component of the machine tool, but alternatively it can be wirelessly connected to the machine tool to form the system 10. Computers other than the computer 50 shown can also be used for nesting. The nesting plan 46 shows the arrangement of individual workpiece parts 44 on the workpiece sheet 40, as shown in Figure 1. In addition, the nesting plan 46 may include defining drilling points and a predetermined first cut for inserting the laser cutting beam 1, and guiding the laser cutting beam 1 along the first cut to a cutting contour 42 (not shown).

[0039] During laser cutting, the laser cutting beam 1 heats the metal of the workpiece sheet 40 along the predetermined cutting contour 42 until it melts. Cutting gas jets, particularly nitrogen or oxygen, can exit the cutting head 24 within the area of ​​the laser cutting beam 1, pushing the molten material of the workpiece sheet 40 downwards and through the formed gap. Thus, the workpiece sheet 40 is completely cut by the laser cutting beam 1 during cutting.

[0040] To cut out the workpiece parts 44, the laser cutting beam 1 is moved along a predetermined cutting contour 42 of each workpiece sheet 40. This starts from one of the aforementioned drilling points on the outside of the workpiece part 44 and then approaches the contour of each workpiece part 44, particularly in the first arc-shaped cut.

[0041] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the pallet 38 has a workpiece support 36. The workpiece support 36 has a plurality of support bars 34 that extend laterally, particularly perpendicularly, with respect to the direction of insertion of the workpiece 40 into the laser cutting device 20, and are aligned parallel to each other. The support bars 34 form a support area on which the workpiece sheet 40 is laid or placed.

[0042] Figure 1 further shows a camera 22 of the machine tool, which, as an example, is mounted on the laser cutting device 20 or its housing. The camera 22 may be part of or connected to the computer 50 of the machine tool. Here, the camera 22 is directed to the removal device 30, merely as an example and for better illustration, but may be directed to the laser cutting device 20, in particular, if it is mounted within the housing of the laser cutting device 20, either alternatively or additionally. A sensor may also be used, either as an alternative to or in addition to the camera 22.

[0043] Figure 4 shows a computer-implemented nesting method 100 for generating a nesting plan 46. A corresponding nesting system (not shown) may be included in part or all of a computer program product (not shown). The nesting system and nesting method 100 can be implemented, for example, by a computer 50 or another control device, or by a computer in a machine tool.

[0044] As shown in Figure 4, the nesting method 100 includes various method steps 102, 104, 106, and 108. In the first method step 102, shape data 200 of the workpiece parts 44 to be nested on the workpiece sheet 40 is loaded. This shape data can exist, for example, in the form of CAD data.

[0045] In the second method step 104, the individual shape characteristics 204 of the workpiece part 44 are identified from the shape data 200. For this purpose, the loaded shape data 200 is compared with one or more predetermined shape parameters 202 that indicate process risks in the laser cutting method 300. These process risks include, in particular, the probability that the workpiece part 44 will tilt and / or that the workpiece part 44 will fall over on the workpiece support 36 and collide with the cutting head 24.

[0046] In the third method step 106 of nesting method 100, the individual workpiece spacing 206 between adjacent workpiece parts 44 on the workpiece sheet 40 is then determined based on the previously identified individual workpiece characteristics 204. Contrary to known facts, as in the prior art, a uniform workpiece spacing 208 (see Figure 5) is not used to minimize process risk.

[0047] Finally, in the fourth method step 108 of nesting method 100, the workpiece component 44 is nested on the workpiece sheet 40 with the previously determined individual workpiece spacing 206. This can be an initial nesting process in which nesting can be implemented as efficiently as possible using various algorithms, artificial intelligence, or other methods. Alternatively, this can be a re-nesting in which an existing nesting plan 46 is modified. Since the individual workpiece spacing 206 is smaller than a conservative, uniform workpiece spacing 208 (see Figure 5), as in the prior art, an increase in the surface area 210 (see Figure 5) of the workpiece sheet 40 is obtained, which allows additional workpiece components 44 to also be nested on the workpiece sheet 40.

[0048] An exemplary implementation of the nesting method 100 in Figure 4 is schematically shown in Figure 5 as a small, simple, exemplary section of a nesting plan 46 having three nested workpiece parts 44. The nesting method 100 does not otherwise select a conservative and uniform workpiece spacing 208 between the workpiece parts 44. Instead, it selects individual workpiece spacings 206 that take into account process risks, which are considered according to the geometry parameters 202. In this case, for example, in the right-hand section of the nesting plan 46, which is the result of the nesting method 100, it can be seen that each individual workpiece spacing 206 is smaller than the uniform workpiece spacing 208 in the left-hand section of the nesting plan 46. When applied to all workpiece parts 44 and the entire nesting plan 46 is considered, it becomes clear that the aforementioned surface area increase 210 (shown schematically and illustratively here as a dashed area) can be achieved, resulting in more efficient nesting with less excess material.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented nesting method (100) for generating a nesting plan (46) by nesting workpiece parts (44) having particularly different two-dimensional workpiece part shapes on a workpiece sheet (40) having a two-dimensional workpiece sheet shape, wherein the nesting plan (46) can be used for a laser cutting method (300) for cutting the workpiece parts (44) nested according to the nesting plan (46) from the workpiece sheet (40) arranged on a workpiece support (36), particularly on a support grid, wherein the nesting method (100) comprises the following method steps: (a) A step of reading the shape data (200) of the workpiece part (44), (b) A step of confirming at least some individual shape characteristics (204) of the workpiece component (44) from its shape data (200), (c) A step of determining the individual workpiece spacing (206) between adjacent workpiece parts (44) on the workpiece sheet (40) based on their individual shape characteristics (204), (d) A nesting method (100) comprising the step of nesting the workpiece components (44) on the workpiece sheet (40) with a spacing (206) between the individual workpieces.

2. The nesting method (100) according to claim 1, wherein the individual shape characteristics (204) are confirmed by comparing the loaded shape data (200) with at least one predetermined shape parameter (202).

3. The nesting method (100) according to claim 2, wherein at least one shape parameter (202) is defined to indicate the process risk of the laser cutting method (300).

4. The nesting method (100) according to claim 3, wherein the process risks are the process stability of the laser cutting method (300), the probability that the workpiece component (44) tilts on the workpiece support (36), the probability that the workpiece component (46) collides with the cutting head (24) used in the laser cutting method (300), and / or the probability that the workpiece component (44) falls through the workpiece support (36).

5. The nesting method (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein at least one shape parameter (202) is at least one of the following shape parameters (202): support surface, centroid, and extension along at least one coordinate in a two-dimensional coordinate system.

6. The nesting method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the workpiece support (36) includes a support area formed in particular by a support web and / or support pins.

7. The nesting method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein when determining the interval (206) between individual workpieces, the expected position of the workpiece component (44) on the workpiece support (40) is determined, and when determining the interval (206) between individual workpieces, the expected position is taken into consideration.

8. The nesting method (100) according to claim 7, wherein the predicted position includes information regarding which support area of ​​the workpiece support (36) the workpiece component (44) is located in, and this information is taken into consideration when determining the spacing between the individual workpieces (206).

9. The nesting method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein when determining the spacing between the individual workpieces (206), at least one cutting parameter of the laser cutting method (300), the machine parameters of a machine tool for machining the workpiece sheet (40), and / or the material parameters of the workpiece sheet (40).

10. The nesting method (100) according to claim 9, wherein the cutting parameter is gas pressure and / or cutting gap width.

11. The nesting method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the workpiece components (44) are classified into at least two shape classes based on their shape data (200), and the individual shape characteristics (204) are checked only for workpiece components (44) that correspond to one of the two predefined shape classes.

12. The nesting method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a step of determining the orientation of individual workpieces on the workpiece sheet (40) based on the individual shape characteristics (204) of at least some of the workpiece components (44).

13. A computer program product comprising, when the program is executed by a computer (50), a command causing the computer to perform the nesting method (100) described in any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A machining method for machining a workpiece sheet (40), - A nesting method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 for generating a nesting plan (46) for nesting workpiece parts (44) having different two-dimensional workpiece part shapes on a workpiece sheet (40) having a two-dimensional workpiece sheet shape, - A cutting method (300) for cutting the workpiece parts (44) nested according to the nesting plan (46) from the workpiece sheet (40) in particular by a laser cutting beam (1) emitted from a cutting head (24), the cutting method (300) including using the laser cutting beam (1) to trace the cutting contour (42) of the workpiece part shape of the workpiece parts (44) nested according to the nesting plan (46) on the workpiece sheet (40) in order to cut out the workpiece parts (44).

15. A system (10) for machining a workpiece sheet (40), wherein the system (10) - A computer (50) for carrying out the nesting method (100) of the machining method described in claim 14, A system (10) including a laser cutting device (20) for carrying out the laser cutting method (300) of the machining method.

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