Example of layout with OPCutting

OPCutting is nesting and cutting optimization software.

This software enables you to calculate the number of panels required to obtain a given number of rectangular-shaped parts.

It generates cutting diagrams by laying out the parts inside the panels, i.e. by optimizing the placement of these parts inside the panels so as to limit unusable off-cuts and the number of panels required. These diagrams show, panel by panel, the position of the parts (or cutting lines if desired) to optimize cutting. 

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Let's imagine you've got a piece of furniture made of melamine or panels with special patterns to create. For our example, you'll give your piece of furniture the following dimensions: 1300 x 1100 x 750 mm. This piece of furniture will be partly made of okoumé plywood panels and partly of white melamine panels. Here's how to make the layout with OPCutting software.

After launching the software, click on the blank page button or select the "File/New" menu.

This takes you to the "Cutting optimization type selection" window, where you can choose between simple and complex cutting optimization (see Selection of cutting optimization type section in user guide for details). For this example, you need to be in "complex cutting optimization" mode. Once you've selected this option, click on the "OK" button.

This takes you to the "Panel selection" window, where you can enter panel dimensions, materials and pattern directions (see Selection of panels used section in user guide for details). For this example, give them the following dimensions and materials:

Designation		Material		Length		Width		Thickness		Grain direction
Panel 1		Okoumé plywood		3500 mm		1800 mm		15 mm		Horizontal
Panel 2		White melamine		2500 mm		1250 mm		19 mm		Unspecified

Once these panel formats have been entered, click on the "Finish" button.

This takes you to the "Part selection" window, where you can enter part numbers, part names, dimensions, etc., as well as quantities (see Creation of the parts to be cut section in user guide for details). For this example, let's give the following values:

Designation		Material		Length		Width		Thickness		Grain direction
Part 1		Okoumé plywood		1300 mm		750 mm		15 mm		Horizontal	4
Part 2		Okoumé plywood		1100 mm		120 mm		15 mm		Horizontal	3
Part 3		White melamine		700 mm		300 mm		19 mm		Unspecified	9

Once you've entered these part formats, click on the "Finish" button.

This takes you to the "Cutting thickness and Cutting thickness" window, where you can enter a value to be added to the dimensions of each part for refreshing, as well as the width of the saw blade (see Determination of the band for edges and cutting thickness section in user guide for details). For this example, let's give the following values:

Band for edge: 10 mm

Cutting thickness: 3 mm

Once this information has been entered, click on the "OK" button.

Once all the necessary layout information has been entered, the software displays the result in the main window. You can print out the result, or switch to another view to see only the cutting lines, or to view the individual parts or the cut sheet (the print button allows you to print out the contents of the selected view).

In conclusion, the use of OPCutting cutting optimization software offers an efficient and accurate layout solution, enabling optimum material management and a significant reduction in waste. Thanks to its advanced functionalities and its ability to take various parameters into account, OPCutting simplifies the process of designing a layout for cutting, while guaranteeing optimum results in terms of yield and costs. By integrating this application into manufacturing processes, companies can improve productivity, reduce waste and increase their competitiveness in the marketplace.

Other Internet links on OPCutting or on layout:

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If you're interested in OPCutting or cutting optimization and have any questions or suggestions regarding this article, please let me know in the comments.

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