Methods of Cutting Cost Minimizing in Problem of Tool Route Optimization for CNC Laser Machines

This paper deals with the optimization problem of cutting tool routing for CNC laser machines arising during the treatment of sheet workpiece. The cutting time and cost are optimization criteria of objective function tending to a minimum. One of the most methods of cutting cost and time minimization is the application of special cutting techniques. Ones are classified into three main classes: standard cutting, multi-contour, and multi-segment cutting. The multi-contour cutting technique is of the greatest interest due to significant reducing values of the piercing numbers, air motion length and in some cases the length of cutting tool motion with reduction of cutting time and cost. But existing techniques do not always provide a reduction of optimization criteria. Consequently, the development of special cutting techniques for some geometrical types of parts is a relevant problem today. In this paper, the special technique for circle parts common in blank production of engineering industry is developed. Based on the proposed technique, the algorithm for automatic construction of a cutting tool route was developed for CAM “SIRIUS.” The tool route and choice of piercings are automatically constructed by taking into account the condition of thermal deformation reducing. As the practice shows the application of the proposed cutting technique for circle parts decreases piercing numbers, values of air motion length and consequently, a cutting cost by 95–98 and 15% respectively depending on the presence/absence of internal contours in circle parts, presence/absence of other types of parts as a result of the nesting, type and thickness of material.