Optimation Nesting Solutions Beat Heuristics

Optimation Nesting Solutions Beat Heuristics

Manufacturing journalist, Thomas R. Cutler, recently authored a feature article for Automation.com titled, “Nesting Heuristics Less Effective than Vision Emulation.” In the article Cutler cites Michael D Lundy, P.E. and CEO of Optimation (www.optimation.com) who commented, “In all cases heuristics are blind. In order to prevent the heuristic from selecting a nest that is infeasible, constraints are applied to the list. A filter is applied to prevent parts that are due in the future from being considered. Another filter will limit the list of parts to insure that too many tools are not required by the set of parts in the list. These filters limit many of the possibilities that are feasible. The result is a sub-optimal nest that is feasible but wastes material and productivity.” Lundy’s company approached this problem with a dynamic method of evaluating optimal results. Multi-Dimensional-Combinatorial-Nesting technology (MDCN™) is a new technology which transcends previous nesting methods. Previously most nesting algorithms were simple heuristics, and did not consider the alternatives; this new methodology guarantees the highest efficiency while insuring that production schedule and priorities are optimized. Lundy suggested, “Standard heuristics crash badly when presented with real world problems. MDCN looks at many different dimensions affecting cost. Schedule, hot parts, material efficiency, order completion, tool optimization, common cutting, torch load, and other costs make finding the optimal nest Multi-Dimensional.” Unlike heuristics, the combinatorial nesting approach uses fathoming to eliminate infeasible solutions and sub-optimal solutions. MDCN converges, learning as it works to find the optimal solution. Each new solution becomes the benchmark to best when comparing alternative combinations of parts; any solution that is not better or can not improve on the best solution found, is not considered. For 30 years Optimation® has been the world leader in Part Nesting for Optimized Material and Labor utilization. Consistently providing product advancement leadership to industry, the company’s new Nesting Technology, AxiomVE make previous nesting methods obsolete. The new technology, Vision Emulation™, allows the system to “see” the shape of parts, just as human eyes would view them. When a person looks at a part, they see the whole shape and any special features on the part. This information is then used to determine if the part will fit in an area of the nest. Vision Emulation eliminates excessive trial and error as well as excessive rotation. Optimation offers benchmarking against any other method of part nesting; recent benchmarks have show improvements up to 15% in material efficiency alone. As lean efficiencies are essential, the most advanced nesting technology guarantees the most important parts are always nested in the next available machine, providing advanced information to integrated costing, labor reporting, and material inventory systems. Because Optimation is strong financially and has the most advanced technology; the company offers direct financing from its own capital resources. The complete article may be read at http://www.automation.com/resources-tools/articles-white-papers/articles-by-thomas-r-cutler/nesting-heuristics-less-effective-than-vision-emulation. Optimation www.optimation.com Michael D Lundy P.E. Opti1@optinest.com 877-827-2100