QUICK NESTING
- Last UpdatedDec 04, 2025
- 2 minute read
The basis for the Quick nest function is a selected number of plate parts, a 'parts menu', on the current plate.
The function means that parts will be selected automatically from this menu in order of decreasing area/perimeter by answering ALL on the system prompt for a part identification. In this selection, it is possible to automatically cluster parts, i e combine parts two by two, with approximately the same size and shape in order to improve the utilization of the raw plate. This clustering of parts can also be used in manual nesting (OPTIONS is used to switch to clustering).
Note: That these parts are only treated as a cluster during the nesting process. After positioning them on the plate no connection exists between the clustered parts.
The Nesting BUMP function is then used automatically to place the plate part on the raw plate and the best position is selected. ‘Best’ means either that the extension of the nested parts in the x-direction or that the scrap is minimized.
In the automatic process, the parts are put outside the right raw plate edge in a user-defined number of different positions from the upper edge down to the lower edge of the raw plate. At each starting position the part is rotated (the angle increment is user-controlled).
Mirroring is optional. Nesting in holes is supported. The plate can contain parts nested previously.
At any time the Quick nest algorithm can be interrupted (by pressing the space bar) and the user automatically gets the possibility to transform the last part(s) that was/were nested. The last nested parts are then made current and after making the wanted transformations, the Quick nest process continues.
The interrupt facility can also be used to switch between clustering and no clustering (cf. CLUSTERING ON/OFF).
A serious drawback in this implementation is that free areas that are shaded by parts to the right of them, cannot be utilized by the automatic algorithm (with the exception of holes in the plate parts). This must currently be compensated for by manual intervention.