Abstract:

Proposed in this paper is a novel algorithm for the nesting of irregular parts based on the principle of minimum potential energy ( HAPE) ,which reveals the physical meaning of nesting problems: the part always tends to keep its center of gravity as low as possible by means of translation and rotation,thus a more compact layout being obtained. In the investigation,in order to find the optimal nesting attitude with the lowest center of gravity,some equally spaced points need to be located on the sheet,and around each point,the parts are rotated in a certainangle interval. Case analyses show that HAPE is credible and is of a clear physical meaning,and that it needs no calculation of no-fit polygon and is capable of dealing with arbitrary irregular parts.

Key words: part nesting, irregular nesting, principle of minimum potential energy