Optimising parameter to control use of Plus parts
Plus parts are those parts in a part list which are not essential requirements but may be used in patterns to reduce waste where no other options are available.
These parts are either overproduction or parts cut for stock. Parts cut for stock are identified by a + character as the first character in the part code, for example, +STOCK1.
Select the level of plus part use
Infill at end
Preserve offcuts
Low
Medium
High
Maximum
This parameter controls the extent to which plus parts are used if there are any plus parts in the part list or overproduction of parts is allowed. This can only be decided in the light of experience by looking at the patterns produced over a period of time
Infill at end - Plus parts are used to fill waste areas in patterns once a complete set of patterns has been generated.
Preserve offcuts - Plus parts are used to fill waste areas in patterns that are not valid offcuts once a complete set of patterns has been generated.
Low - Little use of plus parts. The optimisers operate to prefer plus parts to offcuts or waste but non-plus parts are always preferred to plus parts.
Medium - Average use of plus parts. The optimisers operate to prefer plus parts to offcuts or waste. It may be worth rearranging patterns to reduce waste and use more plus parts.
High - Encourage use of plus parts. The optimisers operate to prefer plus parts to offcuts or waste. It may be worth using extra or larger boards with extra plus parts to improve yield.
Maximum - Make as much use of plus parts as possible. The optimiser settings are adjusted to further bias the results in favour of using plus parts. This option may significantly increase the optimising time.
A typical case where the 'Maximum' setting is used is where the plus parts are not really 'for stock' but are known requirements for future orders (where 1 or 2 of a part are required) which have been added to the current run to help improve the utilisation of material.
Notes
- Can also be set as a Material parameter at material level.
- To experiment - initially choose a value of Low and change it later if necessary.
- Use Plus parts where a part can be cut from alternative materials.
- If no Plus parts are included in the part list this parameter has no effect
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