3. Nesting

kerfmaster pin list · Big capabilities

intentmixedWhat we want to build. Never claimed the present, so it cannot be stale — and must never be read as a description of the code.

Content last changed 2026-08-10 — computed from the item itself, not typed.

Contract — Nest stage

This contract describes a stage we intend to build — it is NOT a description of the code.

takes bridged-partmaterial-table

makes sheet-layout

fails if A layout over the 80″×160″ bed; parts overlapping; yield reported without the sheet it was measured on.

Contract last changed 2026-08-06 — computed, not typed. Dated separately from the text above, so neither date can speak for the other.

Pack multiple copies of a part onto stock for best yield (least waste). Base stock 4×8; materials copper / aluminum / stainless / mild steel in various thicknesses. Must honour the 80"×160" bed.

What the stage does

Given a part (healed geometry), a quantity, a sheet size and a material/thickness, arrange the copies to minimise waste, then post the whole sheet as one program.

Rules & parameters to settle

Part-to-part spacing — the gap between parts must clear the kerf plus a safe margin so cuts don’t merge or leave slivers. Exact gap is a shop number.
Rotation — are parts free to rotate for tighter packing, or fixed? Some materials/finishes have a grain or direction (e.g. brushed stainless).
Common-line cutting — do we ever share one cut between two adjacent parts to save time and metal, or always cut each part fully? Changes both packing and G-code.
Sheet vs bed — base stock is 4×8 but the bed is 80×160; confirm which governs a given job, and flag anything over the bed.
Remnants — track / label offcuts for reuse?

Settled 2026-08-10 — spacing, rotation/grain, common-line, in-hole nesting, sheet strategy and priorities are now rulings: see nesting rules.