Abstract: In a method for automated positioning of a blank in a processing machine provided with a housing and a spindle unit with an electric motor, a control unit for control and electrical supply of the processing machine, a computer producing processing programs for manufacturing workpieces, a workpiece holder, and an image recording unit that optically records image data of a blank received in the workpiece holder, a blank is fixed in the processing machine and the image recording unit produces an image of the blank. A division of the blank into an already processed region and into an unprocessed region based on the image data of the image is performed. A workpiece geometry to be produced is assigned to the unprocessed region of the blank, and a milling operation is performed on the unprocessed region. In a variant of the method, the image recording unit is separate from the processing unit.

Abstract: A display unit is controlled to display guidance such as to instruct an operator to move a spindle up and down near the Z-axis position at which the tool is transferred between a grip and the spindle and to observe a lateral movement of the tip of a tool at the same time. Then, when the tip of the tool moves laterally, the display unit is controlled to display guidance to instruct the operator to raise the spindle and turn a turret so as to reduce the lateral movement of the tip of the tool.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing a wind turbine blade component using a layup head for automatic or semi-automatic layup of fibre material as ply sections from respective rolls of a plurality of rolls in a blade component mould are described. The methods generally include: defining a list of ply sections for the blade component including the layup sequence and length of each ply section; generating a selection of layup plans using the list, a subset of the plurality of rolls and the initial lengths of fiber material on the rolls; selecting one layup plan in constraint of at least one criterion, such as optimisation of the remaining amount of fibre material waste on the plurality of rolls in a length direction, and controlling the layup head and plurality of rolls to perform the selected layup plan in manufacturing of the blade component in the blade component mould.

Abstract: Computer numerical control (CNC) machines execute a process automatically unless a condition occurs that triggers one or more alarms that terminate the process. Accordingly, CNC laser cutting post-process inspection is usually non-existent or minimal. However, with CNC laser welding it is more common for a visual inspection or automated inspection to be performed to verify that the process was completed. Similar issues occur when single piece parts are required in addition to which executing an offline inspection requires additional complexity in re-working any piece part. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention provide enterprises and facilities employing CNC laser cutting/welding systems with a means to overcome these limitations. Further, providing intuitive user interfaces allows the user to perform tasks directly through a touch screen interface they are viewing the work piece/piece-parts upon.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for wastage estimation are provided herein. A computer-implemented method includes receiving, via a user interface, selection of a product for which an estimation of wastage incurred in manufacture thereof is desired and determining one or more orientation suggestions for the selected product, the one or more orientation suggestions including suggestions for imaging different views of the selected product for use in estimating the wastage incurred in manufacture thereof. The method also includes providing, via the user interface, one or more prompts for imaging the selected product at the one or more orientation suggestions, thereby obtaining images of the selected product, utilizing the obtained images of the selected product to calculate an estimated wastage incurred in manufacturing the selected product, and displaying, via the user interface, a display element indicating the estimated wastage incurred in manufacturing the selected product.

Abstract: A system and method for processing parts from a workpiece is provided. The method may include identifying characteristics of a workpiece to be processed, nesting, by a computer controller, a first nest pattern of a local first part to be cut out of the workpiece, identifying, by a computer controller, an unused portion of the workpiece not occupied by the first nest pattern, querying, by a computer controller, a remote database to identify a remote second part to be cut, wherein the second part comprises material characteristics corresponding to the characteristics of the workpiece and is nestable in the unused portion of the workpiece, and nesting the local first part and the remote second part on the workpiece.

Abstract: Methods and software for generating machine-control instructions for controlling subtractive manufacturing equipment to form a plurality of objects from a single workpiece. In some embodiments, the machine-control instructions are for milling equipment that mills the objects from a single body of material by milling material from obverse and reverse sides of the body of material. Milling from the obverse side forms valleys in the obverse side and leaves interconnecting portions that connect together the plurality of objects. A removable fixating material is added to the valleys for holding the objects firmly in place relative to one another for milling from the reverse side. After the removable fixating material has hardened, milling from the reverse side removes the interconnecting portions. Milling operations from the obverse and reverse sides can include operations in addition to the forming of the valleys and removing of the interconnecting portions.

Abstract: A novel methodology for providing security to maintain the confidentiality of additive manufacturing systems during the cyber-physical manufacturing process is featured. This solution is incorporated within the computer aided manufacturing tools such as slicing algorithms and the tool-path generation, which are in the cyber-domain. This effectively mitigates the cross domain physical-to-cyber domain attacks which can breach the confidentiality of the manufacturing system to leak valuable intellectual properties.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus includes a data obtaining unit, a specifying unit, a change information obtaining unit, and an updating unit. The data obtaining unit obtains data specified as a target to be updated. The specifying unit specifies an operator who performs an operation on the data. The change information obtaining unit obtains change information representing details of a change performed on a portion of the data. When a predetermined update operation of updating the data in accordance with the change information is performed by the operator, the updating unit performs a first update process of changing the portion in accordance with the change information if the operator has a first right for the portion, and performs a second update process of adding a new portion to the data without changing the portion if the operator has a second right for the portion.

Abstract: An object is to provide the numerical control device of a machine tool which can achieve both a reduction in heat generation and stability in heavy cutting. A numerical control device includes a command transmission portion which transmits a speed command value and a magnetic flux command value to the spindle control portion of a machine tool and a storage portion which stores magnetic flux amounts corresponding to tools that may be used in the machine tool. The numerical control device also includes a tool detection portion which detects a tool selected in the machine tool and a magnetic flux amount setting portion which commands the command transmission portion to read, from the storage portion, a magnetic flux amount corresponding to the tool detected by the tool detection portion and to output the magnetic flux amount to the spindle control portion of the machine tool.

Abstract: Methods for providing a workpiece computer model including a plurality of objects defined in a body of material. A temporary support frame is provided as part of a two-sided machining process in which the workpiece is partially milled from an obverse side. The machine-control instructions are also based on one or more occupying structures added to the workpiece to fill in one or more excess unoccupied regions of the workpiece that would otherwise be machined away during machining of the objects. Providing such occupying structure(s) reduces the amount of machining that needs to be performed.

Abstract: A novel methodology for providing security to maintain the confidentiality of additive manufacturing systems during the cyber-physical manufacturing process is featured. This solution is incorporated within the computer aided manufacturing tools such as slicing algorithms and the tool-path generation, which are in the cyber-domain. This effectively mitigates the cross domain physical-to-cyber domain attacks which can breach the confidentiality of the manufacturing system to leak valuable intellectual properties.

Abstract: An iterative method and system for performing the method are described that implement a technique to fit irregularly shaped items into a defined space. In particular, one example may take the form of a method including predetermining one or more layouts for a defined space. Each layout has a plurality of shapes. The method also includes receiving a set having a plurality of items and determining one or more configurations formed by assigning to each shape in the layout an item from the set. The items match the shapes to which they are assigned. Additionally, the method includes scoring each configuration and selecting one configuration based at least in part upon the scoring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting system with a cutting machine for cutting sheet-like, stacked material and with an alignment device, which can be manually manipulated, for manually laterally aligning the material on a flat surface of the alignment device, wherein the alignment device can be placed on a table of the cutting machine, which table serves to receive the material, wherein the cutting machine has an electrical machine controller for functions of the cutting machine. In the case of a cutting system of this kind, it is provided that the alignment device has electrical components, and the electrical machine controller of the cutting machine can be actuated by means of the alignment device.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for optimizing production of packaging products. Packaging products can be automatically produced on-demand and can be optimized based on stored and/or real-time information. In some embodiments, a request for a packaging product is received and a real-time design optimization system accesses information about one or more design groups. The one or more design groups include multiple design options. The multiple design options are scored based on stored and/or real-time criteria. Based on the score, one or more top designs are identified for production and/or selection by an operator of the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for machine cutting several parts (31, 32, 33, 34) out of a piece of material using a beam cutting technology. The invention provides a set of controlling rules and variables for cutting two dimensional shapes or patterns. One rule or a combination of several rules are used for the cutting operation depending on the shape or pattern to be cut, the shape or pattern forming the parts (31, 32, 33, 34) out of the piece of material. The present invention specifically teaches that the set of controlling rules comprises rules for the forming of a cluster (3A) of parts with free form shapes, the parts being positioned so close to each other so that only the thickness of one cut from the cutting beam is found between adjacent parts whenever the shape of the parts allows it.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of fabrication an implantable lead for providing electrical pulses to tissue of a patient, the method comprises: (i) providing a sheath of transparent insulative material, wherein the sheath comprises a plurality of lumens; (ii) scanning across the sheath with a confocal displacement meter to generate displacement data; (iii) processing the displacement data, in software executed on a computer system, to generate a representation of an exterior surface and lumens of the sheath; (iv) automatically selecting locations, in software executed on a computer system, on the exterior surface of application of laser pulses to create apertures in the sheath that provide access to respective lumens of the sheath; and (v) applying laser pulses according to the sheath to create the apertures.

Abstract: A method of cutting one or more kinds of quadrangular unit pieces having a relatively small size from a quadrangular base material having a relatively large size uses a cutter frame including a plurality of cutters to manufacture the quadrangular unit pieces. The method includes (a) scanning a quadrangular base material in a longitudinal direction and in a lateral direction to check positions of defects on the quadrangular base material, (b) calculating a yield when cutting the quadrangular base material using two or more kinds of cutting frames, (c) selecting one of the cutting frames in which the yield calculated at the calculation step (b) is within a range of upper 30%, and (d) cutting the quadrangular base material using the cutting frame selected at the selection step (c) to manufacture quadrangular unit pieces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for allocation of a pipe or several pipes with several pipe parts to be cut for a laser cutting installation, wherein the pipe parts to be cut are selected from an order table. Methods include measuring a length of each of the one or more pipes, calculating, before measuring, a nesting of a pipe part relative to the same pipe part or a different pipe part of the order table, calculating a plurality of pipe allocation variants for a particular pipe of the one or more pipes with the pipe parts to be cut based on the nesting and the measured pipe length of the particular pipe, selecting one of the plurality of calculated pipe allocation variants as a desired pipe allocation, and initiating cutting of the particular pipe based on the desired pipe allocation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for machine cutting several parts out of a piece of material using a beam cutting technology. The invention provides a set of controlling rules and variables for cutting two dimensional shapes or patterns. One rule or a combination of several rules are used for the cutting operation depending on the shape or pattern to be cut, the shape or pattern forming the parts out of the piece of material. The present invention specifically teaches that the set of controlling rules comprises rules for the forming of a cluster of parts with free form shapes, the parts being positioned so close to each other so that only the thickness of one cut made by the cutting beam is found between adjacent parts whenever the shape of the parts allows it.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of cutting one or more kinds of quadrangular unit pieces having a relatively small size from a quadrangular base material having a relatively large size using a cutter frame including a plurality of cutters to manufacture the quadrangular unit pieces, the method including (a) an inspection step of scanning a quadrangular base material in a longitudinal direction and in a lateral direction of the quadrangular base material to check positions of defects on the quadrangular base material, (b) a calculation step of calculating a yield when imaginarily cutting the quadrangular base material using two or more kinds of cutting frames, (c) a selection step of selecting one of the cutting frames in which the yield calculated at the calculation step (b) is within a range of upper 30%, and (d) a manufacturing step of cutting the quadrangular base material using the cutting frame selected at the selection step (c) to manufacture quadrangular unit pieces.

Abstract: A method dresses a polishing member with a diamond dresser having diamond particles arranged on a surface thereof. The method includes determining dressing conditions by performing a simulation of a distribution of a sliding distance of the diamond dresser on a surface of the polishing member, and dressing the polishing member with the diamond dresser under the determined dressing conditions. The simulation includes calculating the sliding distance corrected in accordance with a depth of the diamond particles thrusting into the polishing member.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method for cutting a food product into slices for producing portions by taking into account the target weight thereof. Information about a remainder of the food product to be sliced is used to control corresponding actuators for a successive food product to be sliced.

Abstract: A method of fabrication for a component to be installed in a facility, the facility being represented by an electronic design model, the method including extracting, at a computing device and from the model, details of the component and controlling a plurality of stations with the computing device to fabricate and track the component.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing cutting of various materials. In some embodiments, an algorithm optimizes cutting by grouping items to be cut, wherein a plurality of cutting-stock pieces are grouped together and aligned such that a single cut simultaneously cuts items from all of the pieces. Some embodiments optimize a combination of reduced labor cost, reduced materials cost (e.g., reducing scrap), and/or reduced time needed to obtain an inventory of pieces cut to specified lengths and shapes (checking the various permutations). Overall optimization of labor and material is achieved by a combination of fewer cuts and reduced waste. Some embodiments include a computer-readable medium having instructions executed by a computer that optimizes placement of cuts to obtain cut-part items, and optionally controls a saw, laser, water-jet cutter or the like. In some embodiments, a human operator making the cuts is instructed by the computer to achieve the optimization.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a pre-cut infeed system for a machine center, such as an edger. A pre-cut infeed system may include an infeed, one or more saws arranged along the infeed, and a scanner optimizer system. The scanner optimizer system may scan a workpiece and determine whether greater value can be obtained from the workpiece by cutting the workpiece transversely into two or more pieces upstream of the machine center. If so, the workpiece may be cut transversely by the saw(s) positioned along the infeed, and the cut pieces may be fed sequentially into the machine center.

Abstract: A method of conducting vehicle usage data analysis is provided. The method includes providing usage data about at least one vehicle to a database. The usage data may be analyzed and compared to a member of a set of vehicle development models to determine whether to update a vehicle development model. The usage data may also be analyzed to determine whether to transmit a communication to a vehicle.

Abstract: A method dresses a polishing member with a diamond dresser having diamond particles arranged on a surface thereof. The method includes determining dressing conditions by performing a simulation of a distribution of a sliding distance of the diamond dresser on a surface of the polishing member, and dressing the polishing member with the diamond dresser under the determined dressing conditions. The simulation includes calculating the sliding distance corrected in accordance with a depth of the diamond particles thrusting into the polishing member.

Abstract: A method of forming a part from a workpiece mountable on a porous spoil-board on the worktable of a CNC machine having means for applying a negative pressure on the underside of the workpiece, providing a pressure differential across the mounted workpiece, and a cutting tool displaceable along x, y and z axes, including programming the controller of the machine to generate a cutting pattern, computing the area of the part, comparing the computed area value of the part with a predetermined area value and positioning the cutting tool along the Z-axis to provide less than a through cut of the workpiece where the computed area value is less than the predetermined area value and providing a through cut when a computed area value exceeds the predetermined area value, mounting the workpiece on the worktable, actuating the negative pressure applying means and operating the machine to execute such program.

Abstract: A machine for cutting a continuously extruded tube into segments of lesser and predetermined length, comprising: —means (33) for actuating sliding means (3) that are movable along a guide (30) parallel to a direction (20) of advance; said sliding means (3) comprising a first and a second station (31, 32) for cutting the tube which in turn comprise respectively a first and a second shearing cutter (311, 312).

Abstract: A method of facilitating a sorting of a plurality of components nested in a workpiece, including at least two sets of components, each adapted to be assembled to form a structure, comprising producing a plan replicating the cut pattern of the workpiece, depicting the profiles of the components, each provided with an identifier denoting the location of the component on the workpiece; producing at least one of a plurality of labels, each bearing a distinguishable one of the location indicators and a distinctive, readily visible identifier denoting a different one of the sets of components; applying each of the labels on a nested component of the workpiece corresponding to the profile of the component on the plan, guided by the plan and the applicable location identifiers; removing each of the nested components provided with labels bearing the same readily, visible identifier and grouping all components provided with labels bearing the same identifier, together.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gingiva former (1), which has a connecting geometry (5) to an implant (10) and comprises a tailor-made edge (2), a tapering lower part (4) that is located beneath and has a tailor-made shape, and a tapering upper part (8) having a lateral surface (9), wherein the lateral surface (9) has an angle of inclination (?) of between 0.5° and 30° with respect to a longitudinal axis (A) of the connecting geometry (5).

Abstract: A method for producing a dental prosthetic item, including providing a 3D model of the item. The providing includes determining an esthetically relevant designed subregion of a 3D model of the item as part of an exterior surface of the item. The subregion corresponds to a labial surface and/or incisor edge, or to a buccal and/or occlusal surface. Further steps include selecting a suitable blank, specifying a blank having a prefabricated esthetically relevant terminal subsurface of a surface of a tooth, a terminal subsurface of the blank being such as at least approximates the subregion. A further step includes forming the item from the selected blank such that a prefabricated terminal subsurface of the blank remains unmachined in at least a central region thereof. The forming includes machining the blank only in a marginal area of the terminal subsurface and on at least some surfaces outside of the terminal subsurface.

Abstract: A method for cutting out a panoply of parts. This cutting-out method includes producing data relating to points defining the contour of each part and to the position of each part in a Cartesian frame of reference of the panoply, grouping the parts together into at least one subset, each subset embodied by a box being considered as a single part; grouping the subsets into at least one set, each set embodied by a box being considered as a single part; establishing an order in which to cut out the parts from the subsets and sets defined respectively a cutting-out step in which the cutting-out tool moves from part to part in the cutting-out order.

Abstract: An optimal process determining system executes a step of calculating a temporary process that includes information of a plurality of individual processes. According to an example, each process includes a tooling including of a tool, a holder, a tool projection length, and a sequence of the plurality of individual processes. A similarity between the toolings of two individual processes is calculated. In addition, a calculation is performed relating to a plurality of integrated processes for which the tooling of one of the individual processes having a high similarity is integrated into the tooling of the other one of the individual processes. In addition, an optimal process is determined from the plurality of integrated processes on the basis of an actual machining time in each of the integrated processes, a unit integration reduction time reduced as one of the toolings of the individual processes is integrated, and the number of the individual processes integrated.

Abstract: A glass production line comprises a style of lean manufacturing to solve many of the inefficiencies in the scheduling of orders through a glass plant. The main goal of the global scheduler of the present invention will be to dynamically adjust the flow of glass through a glass plant for maximum efficiency.

Abstract: A method of producing a set of parts from a panel of material mountable on the worktable of a CNC machine suitably programmable to perform prescribed machining functions on such panel, generally consisting of programming the machine to perform a first set of machining functions on a first side of the panel and a second set of machining functions on an inverted side of the panel, mounting the panel on the worktable, operating the machine to perform the first set of machining functions on a first side of the panel, inverting the panel on the worktable and operating the machine to perform the second set of machine functions on the second, inverted side of the panel.

Abstract: Various embodiments may include determining a material utilization for one or more assemblies having a plurality of parts. Offal data for one or more parts comprising one or more part assemblies and a blank material utilization status for each of the one or more part assemblies may be received. The blank material utilization status for the one or more part assemblies may be based on a blank material utilization status for each of the one or more parts. The offal data may be standardized to obtain standardized offal data. One or more offal utilization assignments for the part assemblies having a plurality of parts may be determined based on the standardized offal data and the blank material utilization status for the part assemblies. The offal utilization assignments may then be transmitted for assignment to the one or more part assemblies.

Abstract: A glass production line comprising a cutting table, a tempering furnace having a loading station that includes a changeable set of uniquely identifiable work-piece storage loading locations adjacent the loading station with each storage loading location receiving a work-piece therein for subsequent furnace processing, wherein a subset of the uniquely identifiable work-piece storage loading locations is moved away from the loading station when it is emptied of furnace work-pieces and a new sub-set of uniquely identifiable work-piece storage loading locations is moveable adjacent the loading station to provide the changeable set of uniquely identifiable work-piece storage loading locations adjacent the loading station, and a dynamic optimizer coupled to the furnace for dynamically scheduling furnace layouts for glass work-pieces to be tempered, wherein the dynamic furnace optimizer is adapted to schedule work-pieces from uniquely identifiable work-piece storage loading locations not currently adjacent the unloa

Abstract: A system for cutting a three-dimensional portion from a foodstuff. The system includes a scanner for scanning the foodstuff, a computer coupled to the scanner for receiving information from the scanner to determine one or more cutting paths for the foodstuff, and a cutter for portioning the foodstuff according to the one or more determined cutting paths. The computer is configured to perform generally four steps: (i) receiving scan information of the foodstuff from the scanner; (ii) building a three-dimensional map of the foodstuff based on the received scan information of the foodstuff; (iii) fitting at least one desired shape, which is stored in memory of the computer, onto the three-dimensional map in the memory of the computer; and (iv) determining one or more cutting paths to be used in portioning the foodstuff so as to produce one or more portioned foodstuffs corresponding to the at least one desired shape.

Abstract: A method for aligning a substrate to a process center of a support mechanism is provided. The method includes determining substrate thickness after substrate processing at a plurality of orientations and at a plurality of radial distances from a geometric center of the substrate. The method also includes deriving a set of process rate values from substrate thickness and process duration. The method further includes creating for a process rate an off-centered plot, which represents a substantially concentric circle whose points are a circumference of the off-centered plot having substantially the first process rate. The method yet also includes applying a curve-fitting equation to the off-centered plot to determine a set of parameters. The method yet further includes teaching a set of robot arms the set of parameters, thereby enabling the set of robot arms to align another substrate that is supported by the support mechanism with the process center.

Abstract: A method of facilitating a sorting of a plurality of components nested in a workpeice, including at least two sets of components, each adapted to be assembled to form a structure, comprising producing a plan replicating the cut pattern of the workpiece, depicting the profiles of the components, each provided with an identifier denoting the location of the component on the workpiece; producing at least one of a plurality of labels, each bearing a distinguishable one of the location indicators and a distinctive, readily visable identifier denoting a different one of the sets of components; applying each of the labels on a nested component of the workpiece corresponding to the profile of the component on the plan, guided by the plan and the applicable location identifiers; removing each of the nested components provided with labels bearing the same readily, visable identifier and grouping all components provided with labels bearing the same identifier, together.

Abstract: The portioning foodstuffs in three dimensions includes generating a three-dimensional map of the foodstuff, and then comparing the generated three-dimensional map of the foodstuff with the desired shape as stored in the memory of a computer. The computer determines the particular cutting path in three dimensions in order to arrive at the predetermined shape. This is followed by cutting in one direction to fix at least one dimension of the foodstuff, determining whether the foodstuff is within the tolerance limits or whether the foodstuff portion has moved during the first cutting operation. If so, the foodstuff is rescanned to generate a two-dimensional image of the foodstuff, followed by cutting the foodstuff to arrive at a portion trimmed along three dimensions.

Abstract: A method of producing a set of parts from a panel of material mountable on the worktable of a CNC machine suitably programmable to perform prescribed machining functions on such panel, generally consisting of programming the machine to perform a first set of machining functions on a first side of the panel and a second set of machining functions on an inverted side of the panel, mounting the panel on the worktable, operating the machine to perform the first set of machining functions on a first side of the panel, inverting the panel on the worktable and operating the machine to perform the second set of machine functions on the second, inverted side of the panel.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing cutting of various materials. In some embodiments, an algorithm optimizes cutting by grouping items to be cut, wherein a plurality of cutting-stock pieces are grouped together and aligned such that a single cut simultaneously cuts items from all of the pieces. Some embodiments optimize a combination of reduced labor cost, reduced materials cost (e.g., reducing scrap), and/or reduced time needed to obtain an inventory of pieces cut to specified lengths and shapes (checking the various permutations). Overall optimization of labor and material is achieved by a combination of fewer cuts and reduced waste. Some embodiments include a computer-readable medium having instructions executed by a computer that optimizes placement of cuts to obtain cut-part items, and optionally controls a saw, laser, water-jet cutter or the like. In some embodiments, a human operator making the cuts is instructed by the computer to achieve the optimization.

Abstract: Systems, including method and apparatus, for processing workpieces driven automatically along a linear path to a plurality of positions disposed substantially along the linear path. In some embodiments, a workpiece may be processed at one or more of the positions using two or more processing stations, such as a first processing station that cuts the workpiece into segments and a second processing station that performs another processing operation on the workpiece.

Abstract: Automated methods implemented in a computer system are provided that allow the translation of geometric shapes from a cutting pattern having a nested configuration to geometric shapes shown in an installed configuration and vice-versa. Methods are also provided that allow modification of cutting patterns based on various modifications applied to the geometric shapes therein. Additionally, certain methods herein allow cutting patterns to be automatically modified to conform to protective films of different sizes. In certain embodiments, methods are provided for optimization of the arrangement of geometric shapes in a nested configuration so as to substantially minimize the surface area occupied by the geometric shapes. Automated pattern manipulation systems implementing one or more of the methods herein are also provided.

Abstract: A system optimizing a sequence according to an algorithm includes: an initiator; a tracker; a generator; a measurer; a regulator; and an output. The initiator provides initial sequences to the tracker. The tracker stores and effects a statistical treatment of the initial sequences. The generator employs the statistical treatment to present a new sequence. The measurer evaluates the new sequence according to the algorithm. The measurer provides the new sequence to the tracker when the evaluating indicates so, and provides the new sequence and a quality indicator to the regulator. The regulator employs the indicator to store at least a best-sequence-yet-received, and responds to a criterion to order the generator to present a new sequence or to present the best-sequence-yet-received at the output.

Abstract: A method for portioning foodstuffs in three dimensions includes scanning the foodstuff to be portion, generating a three-dimensional map of the foodstuff, then comparing the generated three-dimensional map of the foodstuff with the desired shape which is stored in the memory of a computer. A computer then determines a particular cutting path in three dimensions in order to arrive at the predetermined shape, followed by a cutting in one direction to fix at least one dimension of the foodstuff, then determining whether the foodstuff is within the tolerance limits. The foodstuff is thereafter cut along its other dimensions to arrive at a portion trimmed along three dimensions.

Abstract: A mounter for a manufacturing management method suppresses an occurrence of inventory shortage or excess inventory as much as possible, and provides energy savings when manufacturing is not performed at full capacity. A throughput determining step acquires manufacturing information included in a manufacturing plan while manufacturing equipment is manufacturing mounted boards and determines a throughput of the manufacturing equipment for the mounted boards based on the manufacturing information while the manufacturing equipment is manufacturing a sequence of the mounted boards. A manufacturing condition determining step determines a manufacturing condition for decreasing power consumption of the manufacturing equipment within a range of throughput not lower than the determined throughput in the case where the throughput determined in the throughput determining step is equal to or lower than a current throughput of the manufacturing equipment.