Process Type Panel

The Process Type>Custom Perimeter Cut tab contains options that allow you to specify what process the system uses to cut the parts. Specify None (default), Common Cutting, Chain/Bridge Cutting or Skip Parts parameters.

See information on the Split Cutouts, Perimeter Notch Relief and Split Sheet options.

Custom Perimeter Cut

The four options in the Custom Perimeter Cut section allow you to select the preferred cutting method for the part boundaries. Your choices are None, Chain/Bridge Cutting, Common Cutting and Skip Parts.

Common Cutting Information

The options in the Common Cutting Information section allow you to specify the parameters for common cutting. The following table describes each option. (See Common Cutting Module in Cut Sequence for more info.)

Chain Cutting Overview

Chain Cutting pierces the sheet once and then uses one continuous cut to process all the part profiles. The laser cuts from part to part and does not stop until the last part perimeter is completely cut out. However, the system only cuts a portion of the perimeter and completes the cutting later in the sequence. The system ignores any lead-out types applied to the perimeter cuts and must first cut the internal geometry of the parts. The length of the line lead-in at the starting corner is derived from the Length value specified in the Lead-In Type panel for External Geometry. Chain cutting can begin after the system processes the internal patterns.

Chain Cutting Rules

1.       Chain cutting processes both gridded and non-gridded parts.

2.       Each grid should be less than the travel zone.

3.       Only part boundaries are chain cut. Holes within the part perimeter are cut using a sequence that is similar to Common Cutting.

4.       You cannot chain cut if the sheet contains parts inside of parts.

5.       The gap between the parts should be greater than twice the beam width.

6.       Four key points are used for possible switching between parts and placing bridge microjoints (left, right, top and bottom).

7.       The chain cutting process overwrites microjoints and condition nodes on the part perimeters.

8.       Patterns that you create in Sheet view are not included in the processing function of chain or common cutting.

The Cutting Direction (CW or CCW) you selected for the Outside Perimeter, and the selected Direction (X Direction or Y Direction) in the Chain/Bridge Information section determines the starting corner for the chain cut. See the following illustrations:

The system makes the pierce and then continuously cuts until all the parts are processed. The first direction of the cut is the opposite of the selected direction. The system uses the opposite direction to prevent interference and to return to the original part to complete cutting it. The illustration below depicts a sheet with a CCW (counter-clockwise) Cutting Direction set for the Part Perimeter and Y Direction selected for the chain cut:

The system starts cutting the part in the correct corner. The pierce is made either at the center of the part or the corner. When the system completes the first row of cutting, it cuts the remainder of the sheet in the selected direction. The system will only cut half the part before moving onto the next part. The system uses the mid-point of the common sides to determine the location of the next cut. The system will then cut to the next part and continue in the same direction. The process continues until the system reaches the end of the sheet. Once the system reaches the end of the first direction, it continues to cut in the selected direction.

The illustration depicts the path the system moves in the vertical direction using the same rules. The system only cuts a portion of the part and will cut to the next part when it arrives at the mid-point of the common sides. The same rules apply until the system chain cuts the last part. The same rules are in effect for nested parts. The illustration below depicts the sequence when the system processes dissimilar parts.

Chain/Bridge Information Options

Bridge Cut

The Bridge Cut is similar to the Chain Cut; the same rules apply. However, the option tabs all the parts together using bridges (bridge microjoints). You must specify the Bridge Size and Max. (Maximum) Bridge Length.

The Bridge Size value is the actual size of the bridge (microjoint) between the parts. The system subtracts half of the bridge value when cutting to the mid-point of the common sides before it moves onto the next part. The illustration to the below depicts the example of a Bridge Cut.

The Max. Bridge Size is the maximum distance between the part boundaries. If the distance exceeds the value, the system will chain cut the part.

The Max. Chain Length value determines whether parts are included in the range of the chain cut or are excluded from the chain cutting process. If you enable the option, and there are parts outside the specified distance value, the system will not chain the parts together. The system breaks the chain at the part and processes it separately. If you disable the option, the system will chain cut all the parts on the sheet, no matter how far apart.

Skip Parts Information

The options in the Skip Parts Information section allow you to skip parts in both the X and Y directions. You will find this feature useful to reduce the heat that is generated in one area of the sheet. There are two options: Distance To Skip and Skip Next Adjacent Part.

Notes:

1.       The parts are sequenced according to the Sequence Direction and Starting Corner settings in the Sequence Info folder of the Machine Setup window.

2.       When using cutout avoidance, the software only avoids cutouts within the part and will always call a head-up command between parts.

3.       The software will always start each row from the same side.

Distance To Skip

If you want to skip parts using a specific distance, select this option and then type a value in the text box to the right. The system will skip any parts that fall within the specified distance value. The system interprets the distance value as a radius from the corner of the starting part. The following illustration depicts how the software interprets the Distance To Skip value:

If the radius splits the center of a part, the software will skip the entire part. The software will sequence the parts in the selected direction, skipping the parts that are within the Distance To Skip value. Each time a part is cut, the virtual radius will move to the cut part to set the skip. When the sequence reaches the end of the row, the system will return to the start of the row and start sequencing the parts that were previously skipped. The following illustration displays the sequence order:

The system will continue with this process until all of the parts in the row have been cut. When the entire row has been cut, the software will proceed to the next row. The processing will continue until the entire sheet has been sequenced.

Skip Next Adjacent Part

If you want the software to skip the next adjacent part in the sequence, select Skip Next Adjacent Part. The software ignores the distance value and simply examines the boundary for the adjacent part. It skips the adjacent part and attempts to detect a part beyond the adjacent part. If the system detects a part beyond the adjacent part, it sequences that part. The system will return to the start of the row and locate the first adjacent part that was skipped and sequence it. The software will continue to sequence the remaining adjacent parts that were skipped until the entire sheet has been sequenced.