A Universal CAD System for Cutting Stock Problem

Abstract

In this research the universal system using CAD geometry for solving of cutting stock problem is proposed. The system consists of the three main modules: geometry definition module, objective definition module, and the search strategy module. In the first module the reference points and orientation of parts and stock are defined. In the second module some constraints such as the quantity of the desired type of parts to be placed on the stock can be taken into account. The third module contains the search strategy. For the purpose of this research, the genetic algorithm was used as the search method. For illustration of the generality of the proposed approach, three practical examples for solving orthogonally and irregularly-shaped cutting stock problems are presented. The parts which are to be cut from stock-material with minimal loss and also the stock-material itself are presented as CAD geometries without any kind of geometrical constraints (i.e., concavity, convexity, sections, and holes). In the presented approach the AutoCAD environment was used. The AutoLISP in-house developed system for cutting stock problem was integrated into the AutoCAD. The developed system is without any kind of geometrical constraints and thus highly applicable in the practice. The presented approach can be developed also in other CAD systems where the application programming interfaces (API) are available.