Nesting Sofware: What it is and how it works?
Nesting software is a solution that enhances the arrangement of shapes on flat materials, maximizing material usage and minimizing waste.
Every manufacturer is always looking for ways to cut waste. Whether reducing leftover materials, saving valuable time, or using energy more efficiently, smarter resource management leads to better results. Finding the right tools to do this is key, and that’s where nesting software steps in. This tool helps save time between tasks, reduce costs, and streamline how materials are used during production, minimizing waste and supporting your commitment to green manufacturing.
In this article, we’ll dive into what nesting software is, how this solution works, and the great difference it can bring to your production processes. We’ll also touch on how pairing this software with SkyPlanner can boost efficiency between your processes.
Understanding Nesting Software
Nesting software is a solution that enhances the arrangement of shapes on flat materials, maximizing material usage and minimizing waste. It can also combine parts from different orders onto the same material sheet, further enhancing efficiency. Manufacturers in industries such as woodworking, sheet metal fabrication, and CNC machining rely on it to ensure they are cutting materials as efficiently as possible.
Nesting software does the heavy lifting of planning how to precisely fit 2D and 3D parts onto a material space, which is very difficult to achieve manually. As a whole, Nesting software is designed to eliminate unnecessary waste while speeding up production, making it an essential tool for any manufacturer looking to enhance efficiency.
Nesting in Manufacturing: How does it work?
Nesting software arranges shapes or parts to manufacture a product on a flat sheet of material in the most efficient way possible to minimize waste. The software analyzes the material’s dimensions and the shapes that need to be cut, then determines the best layout. This layout allows manufacturers to use every bit of the material, leaving minimal scrap.
An easy example could be a window manufacturer that uses a large sheet of glass and needs to cut several window panels for different orders from it. Nesting software will calculate the best way to arrange those panels on the sheet so that you can cut the maximum number of windows with the least amount of leftover glass. The same applies to wood—if you’re cutting pieces for furniture, the software will ensure you get the most out of each sheet of wood, minimizing waste and cutting costs.
Unlike manually creating layouts, this software quickly and accurately determines the best way to arrange materials, making it a very useful tool in modern manufacturing.
5 Key Benefits of Nesting Software in Manufacturing
- Minimizes Material Waste: Nesting software ensures that every bit of material is used efficiently, meaning less scrap ends up in the bin. For example, if you’re cutting window panels from a sheet of glass, the software arranges the cuts to leave minimal leftover pieces, saving you money on raw materials.
- Saves Time on Production: Manual planning is time-consuming and prone to errors. Nesting software automates the layout process, so production planners don’t have to spend valuable hours figuring out how to fit shapes on a sheet.
- Improves Production Efficiency: The software speeds up the production process by creating precise cutting layouts. Machines run smoother, and production cycles get shorter.
- Supports Sustainable Manufacturing: It’s no surprise that nesting software fits well with sustainable practices. By reducing material waste and enhancing production efficiency, it helps manufacturers lower their impact on the environment.Less waste means fewer raw materials are needed, which is good for both business and the planet.
- Reduces Costs Across the Board: Less waste and faster production directly impact your bottom line. You’re saving on material costs and cutting down on labor and energy expenses. Nesting software makes the whole process leaner, allowing you to do more with less.
Advanced production planning with AI – SkyPlanner APS
Read more about our approach to production planning and optimization leveraging the power of AI.
Industries That Benefit Greatly from Nesting Software
Glass Manufacturing
Furniture Production and Woodworking
When you’re working with wood, every inch counts—especially with expensive materials like hardwood. Nesting software helps production planners figure out the most efficient way to cut pieces for furniture, reducing waste and making sure you get the most out of every sheet. Less wood waste means lower costs and more sustainable production.
Textile and Apparel Manufacturing
In industries like fashion, where fabrics like silk can be incredibly expensive, waste can quickly add up. Nesting software arranges fabric pieces to minimize waste, ensuring manufacturers use every bit of material in the most efficient manner. Whether it’s a high-end dress or upholstery, this software assists planners in cutting fabric more effectively, saving costs, and aligning with green manufacturing practices.
Metal Fabrication
Whether you’re cutting steel for cars or aluminum for airplane parts, nesting software arranges metal sheets most efficiently. This helps reduce scrap metal, leading to big savings over time.
Aerospace Manufacturing
Aerospace manufacturers deal with high-cost materials like carbon fiber or titanium, where waste is expensive, and precision is non-negotiable. The software carefully arranges these materials to ensure manufacturers use every bit efficiently. The result is not just savings in material costs but also a boost in production efficiency—both key in an industry that demands perfection.
Plastic and Composite Material Production
In industries like packaging or electronics, where plastic and composite materials are used, nesting software helps reduce waste by optimizing how sheets are cut. This is especially important when you’re producing at scale. Less waste means fewer raw materials are needed, translating into lower costs and a more streamlined production process.
Leather and Footwear Industry
Leather is another material where every scrap matters, especially when working with high-quality or costly hides. Nesting software arranges the pieces needed for shoes, bags, or other accessories to minimize leftover leather. This means manufacturers can make more products from the same amount of material, cutting costs and reducing waste.
Assembly jobs: A key feature in SkyPlanner
Nesting software and SkyPlanner production scheduling with AI create a powerful combination for streamlining production and driving down costs. While nesting software focuses on creating the most optimal cutting layout to minimize material waste, SkyPlanner steps in to handle the next stage. Using its AI-driven scheduling, particularly with its assembly jobs feature, SkyPlanner aligns multiple orders into one efficient task based on the nesting software’s ideal layout. This allows manufacturers to cut parts from different orders simultaneously from the same material, significantly reducing waste and speeding up production. Traditional tools like Excel production planning simply can’t compete with this level of precision and efficiency.
This Advanced Planning and Scheduling system with AI ensures optimal resource utilization, reduces the cost of production, and minimizes lead times. By combining nesting software’s precision with SkyPlanner’s smart scheduling, manufacturers can achieve a highly efficient, flexible solution that optimizes production from start to finish.
What are you waiting for? Try our 2-week free trial and experience the difference nesting software and SkyPlanner can make in your production process. Contact our professional team today to learn more about our seamless integration services and start optimizing your efficiency!
