Genetic Algorithm Applied to Cut Sequencing for Sheet Metal Cutting

During the press working process of the shearing progressive die, the position of the die's pressure center has a direct impact on whether the die can work accurately in balance. If the shearing progressive die suffers from being off-center the area close to the product edge may have a burr. This paper describes a system for feature recognition of sheet metal components from standard files and optimal strip working sequence for shearing progressive die. The system initially recognizes the different kinds of internal and external cutting features then genetic algorithms (GA) are applied as a solution tool in the analysis of the optimal strip working sequence possessing a smaller difference between the right and left torque in the shearing progressive die. The purpose is to reduce the time spent in adjusting the pressure center of the shearing progressive die. The system was developed using Microsoft Visual Basic .NET 2003.