Cut length calculator optimizing bar material utilization - considers tolerances to minimise remainder

摘要

The device consists of a logic network incorporating a programme unit, an adder subtractor, storage registers, shift register, and gates, and a keyboard. The various minimum and maximum bar lengths required are keyed into a storage unit of unspecified size and the available bar length is also stored in a register. The programming unit then extracts the first demanded length and calculates the number of units obtainable from the existing bar, using the maximum cutting tolerance in the calculation. The remainder is thus calculated and if unsatisfactory the calculation is repeated for the next demanded length, and so on. When a satisfactorily small remainder is forecast, the cutting is done. The effect of minimizing the remainder in this way can produce an increase in efficiency of some 8% to 10%.