Linear Nesting algorithm in vb.net
Linear Nesting algorithm in vb.net
(OP)
Hi,
I want to create a program that will calculate how much raw material I will need to cut a set of parts.
For example:
Structural Steel Tubing 2 x 1 x .125 x 288
95.75 36 pcs
41.875 89 pcs
10.5 45 pcs
2.875 720 pcs
I want to calculate the best layout so that i get the least amount of scrap and then i want it to tell me how many lenths will i need
of raw material.
I am not expecting anybody to write this program for me. I am just looking for some ideas on how to go about doing this.
Regards,
Ben
I want to create a program that will calculate how much raw material I will need to cut a set of parts.
For example:
Structural Steel Tubing 2 x 1 x .125 x 288
95.75 36 pcs
41.875 89 pcs
10.5 45 pcs
2.875 720 pcs
I want to calculate the best layout so that i get the least amount of scrap and then i want it to tell me how many lenths will i need
of raw material.
I am not expecting anybody to write this program for me. I am just looking for some ideas on how to go about doing this.
Regards,
Ben
Ben Guenther
Custom Addins and Macros
www.lmsoftworks.ca





RE: Linear Nesting algorithm in vb.net
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Linear Nesting algorithm in vb.net
To get you started, consider it a Factorial problem, so just run each possible combination of lengths over your stock length. You can quickly trim down the possibilities by setting appropriate limits (e.g., you can't cut more than five 1' lengths on a 5' pipe, so don't try with six lengths). Even in a realtime environment, the calculations happen pretty fast, so you can test a lot of combinations.
Since your stock length is fixed, this is best classified as a bin packing problem. This Wiki page will prove useful for a bit of research:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutting_stock_problem
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Linear Nesting algorithm in vb.net
I am not planning as of now to get into 2D nesting because of its complexity and for sure not 3D (Would not have use for 3D anyway.).
I have used a program called Cutmaster2D and it works wonderfully, could not ask for more. It is really fast, if you have a long list of parts and high qty's then it takes a bit longer but still very fast. It is capable of 2D as well.
Yea i might have play with do all the possible combinations, just hard to find a start.
Any chance somebody could simplify "Formulation and solution approaches" from here ?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutting_stock_problem
I do not understand them or i don't know what that means.
Ben Guenther
Custom Addins and Macros
www.lmsoftworks.ca
RE: Linear Nesting algorithm in vb.net
Ben Guenther
Custom Addins and Macros
www.lmsoftworks.ca
RE: Linear Nesting algorithm in vb.net
TTFN
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RE: Linear Nesting algorithm in vb.net
I know nothing about matlab and almost nothing about c++ cant get anything out of that.
But i appreciate the response.
Ben Guenther
Custom Addins and Macros
www.lmsoftworks.ca
RE: Linear Nesting algorithm in vb.net
That section of the Wiki article is nothing more than the math behind what I initially suggested... run all possibilities/patterns. The section goes further by assigning each pattern a rank, with the rank determining how well the pattern does to minimize waste. Several patterns may create the same minimal waste, so you can pick any one of them, but which one is irrelevant to you. Just run through all possible patterns, choose any one of them that has the lowest value, and use it.
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Linear Nesting algorithm in vb.net
TTFN
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Chinese prisoner wins Nobel Peace Prize
RE: Linear Nesting algorithm in vb.net
I am self taught with almost everything, so i am easily lost.
I have made many add-ins so most of it will be easy its just figuring out the algorithm will be difficult. The add-ins i make are for Solidworks by the way.
Ben Guenther
Custom Addins and Macros
www.lmsoftworks.ca
RE: Linear Nesting algorithm in vb.net
RE: Linear Nesting algorithm in vb.net
So the user will be asked how many assemblies are on order an then it will put together a cut-list based on the solidworks assembly and the amount required for the order. Then the calculation will be performed to find out how much tubing is needed.
It will then show a report of the layouts that it used to get to that number or lengths used.
So you can print them out and use them when you are cutting so that you are using the best combination possible.
Yes this does sound like a similar algorithm they used for that.
This program will also be very use full when pricing an item then you need to know exactly how much tubing is used.
Ben Guenther
Custom Addins and Macros
www.lmsoftworks.ca
RE: Linear Nesting algorithm in vb.net
Instead of spending lots of time and money to find the solution of the problem you can use tested and recognised solution GNCutter32. It's a callable library that performs the cutting optimization for you (just google "GNCutter32")
RE: Linear Nesting algorithm in vb.net
Why does that confuse you? How can you expect somebody to know something if he/she has not had much to do with it? My field of work has always been very simple math and programing with solidworks which has a very good support forum.
I am not offended at all by what you said but i do not understand why you wrote that or what you are trying to get at.
Anyway, Denis thanks i will look into that one. I also found this http://www.optimalprograms.com/cut_1d_x.htm which is much the same thing i think.
Ben Guenther
Custom Addins and Macros
www.lmsoftworks.ca