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How to optimize the programming path in sheet metal processing
Category：answer Publishing time：2025-09-28 10:49:52 Browse： Times
With the continuous development of the manufacturing industry, sheet metal processing plays an increasingly important role in fields such as aerospace, automotive manufacturing, electronic equipment, and building decoration. In the process of sheet metal processing, the quality of the programming path directly affects the processing efficiency, product quality, and service life of the equipment. Therefore, how to optimize the programming path has become one of the key links to improve the level of sheet metal processing.
One, Significance of Optimizing Programming Paths
In numerical control sheet metal processing (such as laser cutting, stamping, bending, etc.), the programming path determines the movement trajectory of the tool or processing head. Reasonable path planning can not only shorten processing time and reduce energy consumption but also reduce equipment wear and improve material utilization, thus significantly improving overall production efficiency. In addition, optimized paths also help to avoid problems such as thermal deformation and stress concentration during the processing process, thus improving the quality of finished products.
Two, Main Methods of Path Optimization
1. Shortest Path Algorithm
Using shortest path algorithms such as Dijkstra, A*, it can effectively reduce empty travel (i.e., paths that do not actually process), thus shortening the overall processing time. Especially when dealing with complex parts with multiple holes and contours, reasonable arrangement of processing sequence can significantly improve efficiency.
2. Path Continuity and Continuity Design
During laser cutting or stamping, frequent start and stop or sharp turns should be avoided, and continuous and smooth paths should be designed. This not only helps to improve the surface quality of the processing but also reduces the mechanical impact on the equipment, extending its service life.
3. Prioritize Internal Contours and Small Features
In programming, internal contours or small feature structures should be processed first to avoid deformation or shedding of internal structures after the outer contour is processed, which affects the subsequent processing accuracy.
4. Material Characteristics and Path Matching
Sheet metal materials of different materials (such as stainless steel, aluminum alloy, carbon steel, etc.) have different thermal expansion coefficients and processing properties. The programming path should be adjusted in combination with material characteristics, such as when cutting heat-sensitive materials, it should be minimized to reduce the heat concentration area to avoid deformation.
5. Introduction of Intelligent Algorithms and Automated Programming Software
Currently, more and more intelligent algorithms (such as genetic algorithms, ant colony algorithms, neural networks, etc.) are applied to the field of path optimization. Combined with CAD/CAM integrated software, it can achieve automatic material layout, automatic path generation and optimization, and greatly improve programming efficiency and accuracy.
Three, Case Study of Practice
Taking a car parts factory as an example, before optimizing the laser cutting path, its processing efficiency was low and material waste was high. After introducing intelligent path optimization algorithms, the factory successfully reduced the empty travel by 40%, reduced the processing time per part by 25%, and at the same time, the material utilization rate increased by more than 10%. This practice shows that scientific and reasonable path optimization has a significant effect on improving the efficiency and economic benefits of sheet metal processing.
Four, Conclusion
In summary, the optimization of programming paths is an important link in the process of sheet metal processing. By introducing advanced algorithm technology, reasonably arranging the processing sequence, and fully considering the material characteristics, it can effectively improve processing efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality. With the advancement of intelligent manufacturing and Industry 4.0, the future of sheet metal processing will rely more on intelligent and automated path optimization technology, providing strong support for the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry.
With the continuous development of the manufacturing industry, sheet metal processing plays an increasingly important role in fields such as aerospace, automotive manufacturing, electronic equipment, and building decoration. In the process of sheet metal processing, the quality of the programming path directly affects the processing efficiency, product quality, and service life of the equipment. Therefore, how to optimize the programming path has become one of the key links to improve the level of sheet metal processing.
One, Significance of Optimizing Programming Paths
In numerical control sheet metal processing (such as laser cutting, stamping, bending, etc.), the programming path determines the movement trajectory of the tool or processing head. Reasonable path planning can not only shorten processing time and reduce energy consumption but also reduce equipment wear and improve material utilization, thus significantly improving overall production efficiency. In addition, optimized paths also help to avoid problems such as thermal deformation and stress concentration during the processing process, thus improving the quality of finished products.
Two, Main Methods of Path Optimization
1. Shortest Path Algorithm
Using shortest path algorithms such as Dijkstra, A*, it can effectively reduce empty travel (i.e., paths that do not actually process), thus shortening the overall processing time. Especially when dealing with complex parts with multiple holes and contours, reasonable arrangement of processing sequence can significantly improve efficiency.
2. Path Continuity and Continuity Design
During laser cutting or stamping, frequent start and stop or sharp turns should be avoided, and continuous and smooth paths should be designed. This not only helps to improve the surface quality of the processing but also reduces the mechanical impact on the equipment, extending its service life.
3. Prioritize Internal Contours and Small Features
In programming, internal contours or small feature structures should be processed first to avoid deformation or shedding of internal structures after the outer contour is processed, which affects the subsequent processing accuracy.
4. Material Characteristics and Path Matching
Sheet metal materials of different materials (such as stainless steel, aluminum alloy, carbon steel, etc.) have different thermal expansion coefficients and processing properties. The programming path should be adjusted in combination with material characteristics, such as when cutting heat-sensitive materials, it should be minimized to reduce the heat concentration area to avoid deformation.
5. Introduction of Intelligent Algorithms and Automated Programming Software
Currently, more and more intelligent algorithms (such as genetic algorithms, ant colony algorithms, neural networks, etc.) are applied to the field of path optimization. Combined with CAD/CAM integrated software, it can achieve automatic material layout, automatic path generation and optimization, and greatly improve programming efficiency and accuracy.
Three, Case Study of Practice
Taking a car parts factory as an example, before optimizing the laser cutting path, its processing efficiency was low and material waste was high. After introducing intelligent path optimization algorithms, the factory successfully reduced the empty travel by 40%, reduced the processing time per part by 25%, and at the same time, the material utilization rate increased by more than 10%. This practice shows that scientific and reasonable path optimization has a significant effect on improving the efficiency and economic benefits of sheet metal processing.
Four, Conclusion
In summary, the optimization of programming paths is an important link in the process of sheet metal processing. By introducing advanced algorithm technology, reasonably arranging the processing sequence, and fully considering the material characteristics, it can effectively improve processing efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality. With the advancement of intelligent manufacturing and Industry 4.0, the future of sheet metal processing will rely more on intelligent and automated path optimization technology, providing strong support for the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry.
