Optimising several runs in one batch and controlling boards between each run
Where several runs are optimised in a batch and require the same materials the use of the boards and offcuts can be controlled so that board stock is counted down correctly and stock is not used twice.
- Check the settings in System parameters - there are options to control how optimising operates with boards
The program creates board list names for each cutting list based on the batch name - so each cutting list is optimised with the same board list and this board list contains the boards and offcuts for all the items in the batch. The program counts down the board quantities as they are used by runs rather than re-reading the same board list at the start of each run.
Sharing boards lists between several users.
Stock control module only
Where two users attempt to optimise cutting lists that require the same materials a Reservation record is automatically created for all the stock in the board list for the batch and this ensures that when another user attempts to create a board list requiring similar materials the existing reservations are taken into account.
During optimisation all the stock is effectively reserved and is not available to other users so Board list creation is locked until optimisation is complete and other users receive a warning: Action not successful - locked (board library)
Once optimisation is complete the actual reservation is known and the reservation records are updated. Stock is then available to other users.
Notes
- To ensure that the optimiser uses only the stock available, board limits should be restricted to the range 0-3 (board library).
- If there are batch errors which prevent optimisation (or the optimisation is cancelled), all boards selected for the batch will be left fully reserved until the batch is optimised (or the reservation deleted).
- If a run is later changed by, for example, deleting a pattern, changing the run quantity, or adding new patterns the stock reservation is adjusted automatically but if this results in not enough stock an error is reported.
- When stock is finally issued for the runs in a batch, the batch reservation is automatically deleted (SC module only).
- Re-optimising the batch (SC module only) - If a working board list exists for the batch, this is an indication that the batch has already been optimised. Any previous reservation is reversed and the program will attempt to reserve the original stock quantities listed in the batch board list. If there is insufficient stock to do this, an error message appears: Original stock no longer available
- This method relies on all runs in the batch having the same board list name an error is reported if this is not the case:- Data not correct - board list conflict (Run: 00002)
- Optimising from the cutting list or product requirements - All runs in the batch assume the board list name from the first run. The batch board list selected is deleted if it exists (and any reservation reversed). These steps ensure that the batch shares the same board list and that this board list contains all available boards for the required materials.
- Importing parts from PTX / PNX / BTX - this creates batch files which are intended to be optimised without further editing. If optimise option 5 is set, the import will ensure that the board list name is set to 'batch name' for all lines in the batch. This makes the batch file ready to optimise and is really the same as manually adding the imported cutting lists to a new batch. If boards are also imported, a warning is issued as these boards will not be used: Imported boards - conflict with optimise option
