Lantek and the Basque Center for Applied Mathematics, or BCAM for short, have signed a cooperation agreement. Together, they want to investigate the calculation of the nesting of parts on the sheet metal and develop new applied mathematical models and algorithms.

The requirements in sheet metal processing are also becoming increasingly complex. This also includes the optimum arrangement of 2D cut parts on a sheet in order to reduce metal scrap to a minimum. Solutions are therefore required that allow machine capacities to be utilized to the maximum, even if the calculation of the machining processes and the optimization of material consumption are extremely complicated.

First step: New procedures for nesting

The scientific director of the Basque Center for Applied Mathematics is Jose A. Lozano. © Lantek

In the first phase of the project, new methods for the nesting itself are to be found. To this end, researchers from BCAM's Computational Mathematics department are contributing their expertise in geometric modelling and optimization. Four goals have been defined in this first phase: the development of an efficient algorithm for the 2D nesting of metal parts, the design of discrete boundary measurements based on the juxtaposition of local shapes, the improvement of the current method, which maps the surfaces (pixels) themselves via the representation of the boundary, and the development of software that enables both the calculation time to be shortened and the material utilization to be optimized. The focus of the methods currently used is on improving the geometric representation of objects and optimizing local solutions between the corner points of different parts.

According to the project participants, the biggest challenge from a mathematical and computational point of view is to find precise solutions while keeping the grid as small as possible in order to simplify the algorithm and avoid excessive computing times.

Doctoral student wanted

Another point of the agreement concluded is the announcement of an international study place for a doctoral student. He or she will work with Lantek researchers to investigate the various approaches and determine which algorithm options are the best in terms of their applicability and the results of the concept studies. At the end of the four-year project, a doctoral thesis will be published.

According to documents from Lantek / ag