How TABLEMATE™ Works

TABLEMATE™ allows its user to construct a cutting layout, piece by piece, with a pictorial representation of the cutting layout displayed on a computer screen during each step of its creation.  TABLEMATE™ provides control over piece selection and placement in a cutting layout.  The user has complete flexibility over the sequence in which strips and pieces will be removed from the cutting table. 

The TABLEMATE™ computer is located near the cutting table where the operator can look at the pattern on the screen, and use it to facilitate the breakout procedure.

Layout Input Requirements

TABLEMATE™ allows you to plan your pattern on any size sheet. To begin, you enter information describing the glass from which you plan to cut. 

Strip Entry

To insure that all scores can actually be "broken out" from the large inventory sheet, all pieces must be contained within strips.  Strips are cuts that run from one edge of the glass to another.  TABLEMATE™ allows patterns to be created which are comprised of strips running in horizontal or vertical directions. The entire piece of inventory can be defined as one large strip. 

The first strip begins at the intersection of the two trim lines, which is nearest the home position. the display indicates the amount of unused area into which a strip can be placed.

To begin a layout using TABLEMATE™, you plan your first strip.  It is best to create a list of pieces to be cut with the largest dimension first and then sort them large to small.  This greatly aids in the later selection of pieces to be included in a pattern.   

Piece Entry

TABLEMATE™ leads the user every step of the way. After the first strip is defined, you place your first piece by entering its Identification, Base Dimension, Left Dimension, Quantity, and Breakout Cut Direction. 

You follow the same procedure to lay out the second piece and so on until the entire sheet is finished.  To assist in the manual optimization process, as each piece or group of pieces is put in place, the system shows the length and width of the unused glass that remains on the strip.  It won't allow you to put on a piece that is larger than the unused glass.

If more than one piece of the entered dimensions will fit, the quantity and direction to place the pieces in relation to each other (up or down, left or right) is also requested with maximum possible values displayed, thus minimizing the need for mental calculations.  This allows you to enter multiple quantities of the same piece simultaneously. 

When multiple demands exist for pieces, you may want to duplicate the last strip you entered.  Rather than re-creating another strip with all the exact information necessary to duplicate the last strip, TABLEMATE’s Duplicate Last Strip function allows you to do this automatically. 

 In addition to rectangles and squares, TABLEMATE™ provides you with the NC instructions to cut the many shapes included in PMC Software’s standard Shape Catalog. Again, every piece that is put in place allows you to indicate its shape. When you indicate the number of the shape, the screen displays an outline and indicates which dimensions must be entered.  Custom shapes defined using SHAPEMATE™ can also be incorporated into a layout for maximum material utilization. The NC cutting instructions are sent directly to the cutting table's control. 

These recommendations will positively affect operations by giving the operators the results they are looking for to achieve their goals.  Specifically, we see the following business benefits as a direct outcome from implementing PMC's products and services.

Maximum efficiency

The system automates the scoring of any shape, thereby increasing throughput in your Cutting department.  A pictorial representation of the cutting layout, displayed on the computer screen, guides the operator during each step of the layout construction.  The system generates Numerical Control (NC) instructions for both rectangular and shape cutting, interfacing with a wide range of automated cutting machines. 

Cost savings

You can be assured of better glass usage since you choose the size of the sheet from which to cut.  Defects or breaks in sheets can easily be scheduled around to provide the best utilization of a sheet of glass. Offal pieces can also be utilized for cutting layouts.  The end result is reduced waste and cost savings.

Superior flexibility

The system provides total flexibility in creating NC instructions for cutting emergency orders, remakes, and other low volume requirements, allowing you to expedite those “rush” orders.

The user has control over piece selection and placement in a cutting layout, with complete flexibility over the sequence in which strips and pieces will be removed from the cutting table. 

Ease of use

The system is easy to understand and use.  The user is pre­sented with menus, used to select a task to be per­formed, or for data entry.  Explicit instruc­tions are given, in the way of screen prompts, and data verifica­tion occurs immedi­ately, preventing invalid data from being en­tered into the system.  If an error occurs, the item in error is pointed out by the system and a diagnostic message displays, describing the error. 

Configurable rules allow you to significantly customize the system for your plant’s unique operation.