How do I account for plasma cutter kerf?

Plasma cutters typically have a wider kerf than lasers. Enter your specific torch kerf (e.g., 2mm or 0.08 inches) into the CutWize profile settings so parts remain dimensionally accurate.

Is nesting sheet metal different than wood?

Yes, sheet metal often requires larger edge allowances to prevent heat distortion or to accommodate the clamps of your CNC table.

How can I reduce scrap in my fabrication shop?

Utilize batch optimization. Group different customer orders that use the same gauge and material type into one nesting run to maximize plate yield.

Can CutWize help with heavy sheet handling?

While it doesn't physically lift sheets, planning your layout to generate easily handled drop cuts (offcuts) makes clearing the cutting table safer and faster.

Does optimization work for manual metal shearing?

Absolutely. You can constrain the algorithm to generate 'guillotine cuts'—edge-to-edge straight line cuts—which are required when using a mechanical shear.

Top Tips for Efficient Panel Cutting in Metal Shops

Metal fabrication operates with high material costs and heavy stock. Discover strategies to boost sheet yield, manage kerf accurately, and reclaim valuable scrap.

Optimize Metal Sheets

The High Cost of Metal Waste

In metal fabrication, whether you are dealing with mild steel, aluminum, or stainless, raw material represents a massive portion of overhead. Unlike wood, scrap metal has reclaim value, but recovering pennies on the dollar for drops is not a profitable business model. Maximizing your initial yield using a metal cutting calculator is essential.

Furthermore, heavy sheet handling takes time and manpower. Efficient panel cutting isn't just about saving metal; it's about minimizing the number of times a heavy plate has to be lifted or repositioned.

Managing Diverse Cutting Technologies

Metal shops use a variety of tools, each with completely different cutting dynamics. You must configure your layouts to match the tool being used.

Kerf Variations: A laser cutter might have a kerf of 0.2mm, while a plasma torch could chew through 2mm to 3mm. Always set precise kerf widths in your profile so parts are not undersized.
Guillotine Shears: If you are shearing metal manually, you cannot perform internal pocket cuts. Ensure your optimizer is set to "edge-to-edge" or guillotine cutting logic.
Heat Distortion: Leave adequate margins between parts and the edge of the plate if heat warping from plasma/laser cutting is a concern.

Unoptimized Metal Shop

Guessing plasma kerf widths
High percentage of unusable scrap
Slow, chaotic manual layouts

CutWize Fabricator

Kerf calculated automatically
Maximum plate density achieved
Clear maps for shearing or CNC

Scrap Recovery and Offcut Management

Every fabrication shop has a rack of "drops" or offcuts. Instead of letting them gather dust until they are sold for scrap weight, integrate them into your active inventory. By logging a piece of 1/4" plate as an offcut, the software will actively try to fit future parts onto it before asking you to grab the forklift to load a fresh 4x8 plate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Stop Scrapping Profits

Maximize the yield on every steel and aluminum plate.

Optimize Your Plates