1DCutX - Length Cutting Optimization for Excel

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1DCutX - Length Cutting Optimization within Excel.

1DCutX - Length Cutting Optimization for Excel.

1DCutX is a software extension (so-called "add-in") for the Microsoft Excel. When 1DCutX gets installed it automatically integrates into the Excel and provides a new functionality – finding the optimal way of cutting linear (one-dimension) materials (bars, pipes, beams, profiles, rolls etc.) supplied in standard lengths.

The most exciting feature of 1DCutX is the ability to read data directly from an open spreadsheet and instantly generate the graphical layouts with detailed cutting report in-situ without leaving Excel.

1DCutX's Features:

Generates graphical layout (plan) of the length cutting.
Reduces the usage of linear material by 10-20% in comparison to manual cutting.
High performance. The most of length cutting optimizations are done in less than a second.
Supports waste or both waste and cost minimization.
Saw kerf (thickness) support. Cutting produces the gap between parts that shrinks the result part sizes by a saw thickness.
Controls cut-offs (waste parts) size. Some cutting machines are unable to make a cut on tiny pieces, because of hardware restrictions, like cutting several millimetres from the wood beam or glass.
Incomplete optimization. In some cases the supply of the material is limited and all parts cannot be cut from them.
Supports trim (grip) areas.
No mess with import/export/save/load any extra files - everything is stored within a workbook and it practically eliminates any errors due to incorrect import/export.

How does it work?

First, lets define the terms we use:

Part - is a small piece that you want to cut.

Stock - is a big piece you want to cut parts from.

Cut-off - is a piece of a stock that is left after all parts get cut from the stock.

Typical Excel table containing list of stock orders. If you use Microsoft Excel to keep tracks of your supplier's orders then you probably have a spreadsheet that has all stocks as a table with the identifications, the sizes and the prices (as shown on the right picture). The table may have vertical (as shown) or horizontal orientation, but the basic idea is still the same - the table lists the stocks you use in your production cycle.

Typical Excel table containing list of parts to be cut from the stocks. 1DCutX can use the stock table in any format and you don't need to alter it. In addition to the stock table you need one more table that lists all parts you need to cut from the stocks. This table can have the layout shown on the left picture or you can use your own design. The main purpose of the parts table is to list all parts along with their identifications (if any), the sizes and the quantities.

Once you have the stocks and parts table ready you can to invoke 1DCutX dialog and select the range of cells containing stocks and parts information. After that you can press "Run" button and get the optimized layouts that show how to cut the parts, which stocks and how many to order and the cut-offs (if any) length for each cutting layout.

Each layout is located on a separated spreadsheet with names "1D_n" (n identifies the number of the layout). 1DCutX also creates an additional spreadsheet "1D_report" that provides the result table and the summary info about the length cutting optimization. After the optimization is done you can print out the layouts and bring them to your workshop for cutting the stocks.

Examples of the Length Cutting:

Please see the following Excel spreadsheet examples, which give more details how 1DCutX works:

A picture is worth a hundred words.

We prepared a small YouTube video to demonstrate how simple and robust you can perform your own length cutting optimization using 1DCutX:

1DCutX is available on try-before-buy basis that means anyone can freely download it and test it for 15-days trial period.
Click here to download the 1DCutX setup application (no registration required). After downloading unzip and run the setup.exe.

See also:

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