Our client was already using cutting optimization software and labels in their production process before the project execution. However, the workflow was not efficient, as a lot of time had to be dedicated to uploading data into the optimization software, processing it, and then handing over the printed cutting lists to the employees on the shop floor after the cutting optimization was completed. The part labeling process was unproductive because the labels were printed at the design workstation, they were printed on A4 sheets, and their sequence did not match the sequence of parts obtained during the cutting process. Consequently, employees performing cutting had to find one label out of many for the cut part. The client decided that it was time to optimize the process and make the work more efficient for employees working both in the office and in production…
Decision was made that label printing must take place next to the panel sizing saw, with the employee marking the part on the touchscreen near the machine. The client installed a computer with a touchscreen next to the machine and connected a thermal label printer. The functions of the cutting optimization program were taken over by our partner Eurosoft Inc.’s solution, “BlueCell”, which now reads data about the parts to be cut from the client’s design program, imos CAD, with a single click. After defining the materials used in the BlueCell program, optimization is performed with the next click, and the final step in the process is to press a button that sends the optimization results to the computer at the cutting machine. The work is then continued by the “ImPrint” product, which opens the cutting job received from the office. During the cutting process, the employee at the machine simply needs to mark the part on the cutting plan for which they want to print a label. The printed label contains all the necessary information for subsequent production stages. The label shows the final part dimensions, edge banding information, and a geometric image of the part generated by the design program. Since the client plans to develop the expansion of digital solutions within the company and acquire automated production machinery, QR codes are immediately generated on the label to help identify the part and speed up its processing with the help of a barcode scanner.
There are no projects without challenges, and this project was no exception. The standard optimization algorithm of the program did not fully meet the client’s needs, as there was a requirement to use all existing material remnants in production before optimizing parts on full-size sheets. Utilizing the flexibility of the “BlueCell” program with Python “scripts”, the optimization algorithm was modified to fully meet the client’s needs. We can confirm that this is truly a powerful tool for adapting the BlueCell program to client needs, as other client requirements were also realized with its help. These include saving predicted remnants to the library, opening default settings in every new order, and more.
1A Much Faster Data Preparation Process for Cutting Optimization
2Cutting optimization result immediately suitable for production and meeting specific client needs
3A Much More Efficient Part Labeling Process
4More informative labels, facilitating subsequent production processes and adapted to future needs