Part Grouping and Sorting

As of Toolbox build 25.1.0325.641, Microvellum's optimizer has been updated to allow users to sort and group parts with greater degrees of specificity. This is possible due to an overhaul in the Part Sorting and Grouping interface, which introduces 3 different levels of sorting and grouping during optimization.

Fig. 1: The Part Sorting and Grouping section.

Part sorting and grouping now allows for 3 separate levels of sorting, each represented within the processing station UI. The top sorting/grouping selection represents the highest level that parts will sort by, with the center and bottom options being subsequent sorting and grouping parameters. If one were to select the same options between two levels of part sorting and grouping, the higher level one would be enabled, while the lower level one would be removed. 

Group Type: After parts have been sorted and sequenced for optimization, one can then set the strategy used when placing parts on individual sheets. Group type refers to the grouping and ‘overlap’ between parts with different sort values. Users will have a choice of placing parts on a new sheet, on the same current sheet, or on a previous sheet, with a selection of how up the stack one goes when selecting the previous sheet (from 2-10 sheets prior).

For example, assume an operation requires the optimization of 3 products, each with unique item numbers of 1.01, 1.02 and 1.03 and each requiring 10 parts per product. Sorting by item number and in ascending order on the top sort only, the optimizer will place all of 1.01’s 10 parts individually on as many sheets as necessary until all are placed, then 1.02’s 10 parts will be placed.  Each part will be attempted on the first sheet, then the second and so on until an empty space large enough to place the part is found.  The group type dictates what happens between the last part of 1.01 and all of 1.02’s parts.

If the last part of 1.01 is placed on sheet 3, the selected group type will dictate the following:

1. New Sheet: 1.02’s parts will be forced onto sheet 4 or higher forcing no overlap of parts.
2. Same Sheet: 1.02's parts will be forced onto sheet 3 or higher, making a 1 sheet overlap possible.
3. Previous Sheet: 1.02’s parts will be forced onto sheet 2 or higher, making a 2 sheet overlap possible.
4. Previous 2 Sheets: 1.02’s parts will be forced onto sheet 1 or higher, making a 3 sheet overlap possible.

All of 1.03’s parts will be placed according to the group type and based on the last part of 1.02 regardless of any of 1.01’s parts.

All grouping options work independently of each other and can create poor yield if used excessively with highly restrictive grouping types and/or low numbers of parts.

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