How to prepare and check a cutting plan
Start with actual stock
A cutting plan begins with the measured sheet, rather than its commercial product name alone. Measure both dimensions, check thickness and identify the finish. Enter the quantity actually available in the workshop. In quick mode, one stock row and a few part rows are enough to calculate a plan. Professional mode adds different sizes and existing remnants. Stock is finite: the optimizer does not automatically buy sheets or invent material when a part remains unplaced. The pending list helps you correct the project while keeping all original inputs available for editing.
Enter parts and check units
Each row describes a rectangular part type with an integer quantity. Assign a recognizable code so the part can be located in the drawing and during production. Width and length follow the selected unit; changing from millimetres to inches converts displayed values without changing physical size. Thicknesses and defect coordinates are explicitly in millimetres. When importing a spreadsheet, inspect column mapping and the preview before accepting rows. Swapped columns can produce valid dimensions that differ from the order. Keep a JSON backup before extensive changes and use undo to recover recent edits.
Kerf, spacing and trim
Effective kerf represents material consumed between two parts. The tool uses the larger of kerf width and configured minimum spacing, rather than adding both values. Two 500 × 500 mm parts fit a 1000 × 500 mm sheet with zero kerf. With a 3 mm blade they no longer fit together. Four independent trim margins remove usable area before optimization. Listed operations start from this already trimmed region. Choose margins according to actual sheet edges and the preparation process. Confirm the blade width through measurement instead of assuming that one default suits every machine.
Grain, finish and materials
A ninety-degree rotation can improve packing, but must respect appearance and production requirements. Set the grain direction on both sheet and part. A horizontal part grain can become vertical only when an allowed rotation aligns it with the sheet. Different materials, thicknesses and finishes never share stock. Profiles only suggest editable starting values; they do not certify a manufacturing process. Already tempered glass must not be recut. Laminated glass, coated surfaces and metal panels require operational conditions to be confirmed with the person performing the work. Review all profile values before calculating a production plan.
Guillotine or free nesting
In guillotine mode, each operation crosses the entire current rectangular region. A subdivision tree records the origin of each region, allowing cuts to follow dependency order. Free nesting uses maximal rectangular spaces and may find different arrangements for evaluating contour-based production. It does not generate a fictitious saw sequence. Rectangular defects and reserved clamping regions are accepted only in free nesting in this version. Irregular outlines are not imported as if their bounding boxes represented true nesting. Compare methods according to manufacturing constraints, and remember that a geometrically valid layout still needs suitable tooling and workholding.
Read utilization and remnants
Utilization divides the area of placed parts by the gross area of used sheets and multiplies by one hundred. This makes the effect of trim visible. The summary distinguishes part area, margins, separation bands and useful remnants. Remnants are separate rectangles without overlap or double counting, classified by the configured minimum side. In free nesting, estimated separation also includes excluded regions and is not a measurement of actual chips. Transferring remnants to inventory deducts consumed sheets once. Verify the physical identity and dimensions of every remnant before using it in another project.
Costs and solution selection
Material cost sums the prices of sheets actually used. The estimate adds a percentage allowance on material, a charge per guillotine operation, fixed operating cost and finishing, then applies commercial markup and fees. Free nesting has no saw operation count, so that charge is not automatically estimated there. Currency changes presentation without exchange conversion. Prioritizing cost, waste or existing remnants can change the stock combination. Alternatives are calculated and validated plans, rather than promised savings. Review unplaced parts before turning the result into a commercial quotation and account for any services outside this estimate.
Verify, export and produce
Before showing or exporting a plan, an independent validator checks dimensions, rotation, inventory, counts and the absence of overlaps. In guillotine mode it also checks the tree and operation order. PDF includes drawings and lists; SVG and PNG represent the selected sheet. Spreadsheets assist with checking parts and remnants. Labels and quotation open the existing editors with plan data. Workshop mode shows operations without advertisements, but remains a planning reference. Check dimensions and workholding at the equipment. Export JSON backups because local storage may be cleared and does not synchronize across devices.
| Name / code | Width | Length | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheet | 2750 | 1850 | 10 |
| A | 700 | 450 | 4 |
| B | 400 | 300 | 8 |
Frequently asked questions
Is this the best possible plan?
The tool compares heuristics and shows the best solution found. It does not prove a global optimum. Review alternatives and manufacturing constraints.
How is kerf considered?
Separation uses the larger of kerf and minimum spacing. Trim removes margins before packing; listed operations start in the usable region.
Can I cut tempered glass?
The glass profile plans parts before tempering. Already tempered glass cannot be treated as recuttable stock. Confirm processing with your supplier.
Where are my projects stored?
Calculation and imports run locally. Save in the browser and export JSON backups. There is no device synchronization and browser data may be cleared.
Is the SVG a CNC program?
No. SVG and PNG represent validated geometry. The guillotine sequence describes rectangular subdivisions without certifying clamping, tooling or machine compatibility.
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