This work is driven by the aim to minimize material waste in the production of structural sheet metal components. Thus, a rule-based decomposition process for multiply connected planar shapes is presented, analyzing the shape’s boundary and skeleton. Based on four cutting rules, shapes are decomposed to particularly extract straight and strut-like parts, allowing high packing densities for a reduction of material waste. Additionally, an alternative shape decomposition scenario is described, aiming for the avoidance of stress hotspots in structural components. In a case study with various shapes, effects on material waste are investigated involving a strip packing problem. Furthermore, effects on mechanical stress are analyzed. The results show potential to reduce material waste, but also disadvantages regarding mechanical stress. Aspects for further consideration are pointed out.
