Why does a "-1" show up in the "Drop" column of the Optimizer

Even though a negative drop is completely illogical, there is a reason for why this can happen in stock length material list inside the Optimizer window.

The WinBidPro software knows the stock length of a part based on a value that is saved with that part number in the Parts List for a given metal vendor. When optimizing cuts from a given stock length part, the v15.1 program uses a little known, and seldom changed number called "Add to Stocklength" while optimizing cuts. This value is set in the Vendor Info window that is accessed from the top of the menu tree. Most manufacturers have a 1 in this field, so the program is actually looking at the stock length for a part (taken from the Parts List), then it adds the 1 to that length. So a 288" stock length, then becomes 289".

The Optimizer then figures the best yield from the given cut pieces in a job, based on that 289" stock length. What you are seeing in the list at the bottom of the stock length list in the Optimizer window is a "Stock Length" that doesn't include this extra 1 inch added from the Vendor Info window.

So the real problem is that the 288" stock length should really show up as 289" in the optimizer window, but it doesn't. We have decided to eliminate this "Add to Stocklength" feature because it was carried over from the old v14 program, which didn't have an easy way to change the stock lengths in the actual Parts List. Now with v15, you can open the Parts List, filter the list to only stock parts, only 288" parts, or a variety of different ways. Type the value in the filter bar at the top of the Parts List and the list will be filtered to match that criteria. Then click the "Change a Group of Parts" button at the top of the Parts List window and type in a new stock length.

This is the best way to go since there is no hidden number that gets added to the stock lengths in your Parts List. Whatever number the part shows in the parts list, is what the program will use to optimize that material. You, as the user, can decide whether there is an extra inch or two of material for a given vendor, or a given batch of parts.