Productivity is often incorrectly equated only with cut speed. While important, there are also other factors to consider. For example:
- Amount of programming time required
- Time required for job set up on the cutting machine
- Time required to prepare (or preheat) the system for cutting
- Number of cutting heads the machine can accept
- Efficiency of the nesting software and its ability to maximize cutting time and reduce unnecessary cutting head motion
- Ability to safely unload parts while the system is cutting
- Ability to perform multiple processes all on one machine – for example, cutting contours, cutting interior slots and holes, and beveling
- Integration of systems to perform parallel tasks such as preflow during traverse or IHS can improve process time
- Time required for secondary operations such as grinding, which may be reduced or eliminated by improving the quality of parts coming off the cutting machine