Cutters
Software Nest
Software Nest is used where sheet yield, part spacing and cut sequence need tighter control. It suits teams preparing CNC cutting work for board, plastics, composites or thin non-ferrous sheet, especially when machine stoppages start with the nest rather than the cutter itself.
Nest settings that change output
Software Nest deals with nesting setup that affects yield, cut order and machine behaviour on the floor. It is for teams that need cleaner layouts, better sheet use and fewer avoidable interruptions between office and cutter.
Begin with sheet size, grain direction, kerf allowance and the hold-down method on the machine. In Gauteng, dry dust can affect vacuum performance, while coastal humidity around Durban and Cape Town can influence sheet flatness and label adhesion during staging. Those conditions matter when setting bridges, lead-ins and remnant handling.
Keep a marked-up first nest from the initial run. That record should show part orientation, offcut size, tool call order and any edits made at the machine after programming. When a repeat job comes back months later, that sheet often prevents wasted board and duplicate troubleshooting.
What the nest pack records
The output should identify the board or sheet code, tooling selection, origin point and any machine-side notes for tabs, onion skin or cut priority. Operators and office staff need the same wording on the paperwork so the programmed layout matches what gets loaded onto the bed.
Before extending a job, compare the nest against the related work in Cutters, the process note in Applications and any finishing dependency under Edgework. If you send details through the contact form, include sheet size, material type and one screenshot of the current layout or machine interface.
- Sheet yield checked before release
- Cut order noted against part quality
Conditions that alter nesting choices
Production planning has to account for dispatch cut-offs, material availability and mixed-age CNC equipment across South African workshops. Some sites run newer controllers with strong automation, while others still rely on manual sheet offsets and operator edits. Software Nest must reflect that difference before files are issued.
Power interruptions can affect restart position and scrap rates if the sequence is not documented. Dust build-up inland may reduce suction consistency on smaller parts, and coastal air can make stored sheets behave differently after unpacking. Nesting rules should therefore cover common hold-down failures, not only ideal workshop conditions.
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Information needed before nesting
Send material thickness, full sheet dimensions, part quantities and any face-side requirement. Add notes on grain, protective film, common breakouts and whether remnants must be kept for later jobs.
Store the approved nest with the job record, revision note and machine-specific setup sheet. That file should show who changed spacing, tabs or sequencing, so a buyer or programmer can trace why yield or edge quality shifted between runs.
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