Common Cutting Module
The Common Cutting module is designed to calculate the most efficient cutting of a sheet when parts share a common boundary. This option takes effect on the external boundary of gridded/grouped parts. To control the cutting of internal cutouts, see Machine Setting>Sequence Info.
Allow a Part-by-Part Common Cut with Microjoints
The AP100US program is able to cut internal patterns and common cuts together part by part if desired. This feature can allow the operator to manually bypass a single part on a sheet that is causing a stoppage, and helps to reduce wasted material. Microjoints between parts can then be applied to Common Cutting to reduce the chances of material deformation during cutting.
To engage this option Macros must be turned off. Macros can be checked ON or OFF in the Machine Setting>Sequence Info panel with the Use Subroutines checkbox. In the Ribbon interface, Macros may be switched OFF temporarily in the Quick Access CAD Toolbar. This switch in the UI will toggle macros regardless of the default setting in the Sequence Info panel, but for the current session only.
Note: For certain Amada automation systems such as F1-TK and the PSR robot part unloading occurs AFTER sheet processing, meaning that Common Cutting and U-V macros can be used.
Topics covered in this section -
Other Common Cutting rules to be aware of -
You must close all boundaries on parts you want to common cut.
If you need to break the path and want to common cut, use bridge microjoints or corner features. If you want to take full advantage of the Common Cutting options, the AP100US system requires a machine driver that supports the special common cutting techniques and commands.
Corner features (loops, extensions, radius corners and corner microjoints) are not observed on part boundaries that undergo the common cutting process.
You can use bridge microjoints on part boundaries to be common cut. However, bridge microjoints lead-ins and lead-outs are ignored on common cut boundaries.
If you modify the geometry of a part boundary after processing and sequencing it for common cutting, make sure to unprocess the common cutting, and then re-process the part for common cutting and rebuild the common cutting sequence.
Patterns you create in Sheet view are not included in the processing function of chain or common cutting.
Specify the parameters for common cutting using the options found in the Common Cutting Information window.
Arrange your sheet. You must arrange the parts so the distance between them equals the beam width. For a grid, you can use the Set spacing equal to beam width option in the Grid window to convert the spacing so that it is equal to the beam width. For individual parts, you can use the Align… option on the Sheet menu to specify the beam width. See Sheet for more info.
Process the sheet for common cutting. Use the Process or Process All Grids options on the Common Cutting submenu to process groups of individual parts or all the grids.
Use the Add or Auto Cut Sequence options on the Cut Sequence menu to sequence the inside patterns. You cannot sequence the part boundaries using the regular sequencing options once you have processed a group of parts for common cutting.
Use the Manual or Auto options on the Common Cutting submenu to common cut the parts.