Pipe Occupancy Optimization via Length Measurement and Nesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser cutting systems face inefficiencies in optimizing the assignment of pipe parts to be cut, particularly in utilizing the actual pipe length for maximizing productivity and minimizing residual pipe length for further processing.
Innovation Solution
The method involves measuring the pipe length, calculating nesting and allocation variants, and selecting the variant with the largest pipe part sum and smallest occupied length to optimize pipe occupancy, allowing for rotation and displacement of pipe parts based on their properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pipe parts are assigned to pipes without considering actual pipe length measurement, then the assignment process is simpler and faster, but the pipe occupancy optimization is reduced and residual pipe length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring the actual pipe length before assigning pipe parts, and by pre-calculating nesting variants. This ensures that the optimization process uses accurate dimensional data to determine the best assignment, maximizing pipe occupancy while minimizing residual length. The measurement and preliminary calculation are performed in advance to guide the subsequent assignment decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by incorporating the measured actual pipe length as a variable parameter in the optimization calculation. Different pipe lengths result in different optimal nesting arrangements, allowing the system to adapt the assignment strategy dynamically based on the specific dimensional parameters of each pipe, thereby improving occupancy efficiency.
2Productivity
If multiple pipe allocation variants are calculated and compared, then the optimal assignment is achieved with largest pipe part sum and smallest occupied length, but the calculation time and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the pipe assignment problem into multiple discrete allocation variants, each representing a different nesting arrangement. By segmenting the overall optimization task into comparable individual scenarios, the system can evaluate each variant's pipe part sum and occupied length separately, then select the optimal configuration that maximizes resource utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters by calculating multiple allocation variants with different nesting configurations, comparing their respective pipe part sums and occupied lengths. This parametric approach allows the identification of the variant that achieves the largest pipe part sum with the smallest occupied length, optimizing the balance between productivity and time consumption.
3Manufacturing precision
If pipe parts are rotated and displaced based on their properties during nesting calculation, then the nesting accuracy and pipe occupancy are improved, but the calculation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by allowing pipe parts to be rotated and displaced according to their specific geometric properties and orientation requirements. Different pipe parts may have different optimal orientations and positions based on their shape, features, and manufacturing constraints. This asymmetric treatment of each pipe part enables more accurate and efficient nesting arrangements compared to uniform positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by tailoring the rotation and displacement of each pipe part according to its specific properties and requirements. Rather than applying a uniform nesting approach to all pipe parts, the calculation process adapts the orientation and position of each individual part to optimize its fit and minimize wasted space, thereby improving overall nesting accuracy and pipe occupancy.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for optimizing the occupancy of a pipe or several pipes with several pipe parts to be cut for a laser cutting installation, wherein the pipe parts to be cut are selected from an order table. The invention is characterized in that the length of the pipe(s) is measured, a nesting of the pipe part to the same pipe part and/or to one or several different pipe parts of the order table is determined for one or several pipe parts prior to measuring the length of the pipe(s) and different pipe occupancy variants with the pipe parts to be cut are determined after the length measurement of the pipe(s) taking into account the previously different determined nestings and the measured length of the pipes, one of the determined pipe occupancy variants being selected as "the optimal pipe occupancy".