MOACUTWhat Is Nesting? Sheet Cutting Layouts Explained
Nesting arranges parts on stock sheets. The sheet size, part orientation, spacing, and shape determine what fits and how much stock remains.
Last updated: 2026-11-09Nesting connects a cut list to a sheet layout
In woodworking, a cut list describes shelves and cabinet sides. In signage, it may describe rectangular acrylic or foam-board panels. Nesting turns those sizes and quantities into positions on one or more sheets before cutting.
A useful layout respects manufacturing constraints: spacing, edge margins, grain, surface direction, and stock dimensions. A compact arrangement that ignores those constraints may be unusable.
Rectangular nesting versus true-shape nesting
| Approach | Input | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Rectangular | Width, height, quantity | Sheet count and rectangular positions |
| True-shape | Curved or polygonal outlines | Contour clearance, rotation and hole placement |
MOACUT nests rectangles. Entering the bounding box of a curved part does not turn it into true-shape nesting: usable gaps between contours are lost. Choose software based on whether your input is a dimension list or actual geometry.
How utilization and scrap are calculated
Utilization = total part area ÷ total area of required sheets × 100
Consider twelve 600×400 mm rectangles on 1220×2440 mm stock, with a 10 mm edge margin and rotation allowed. Changing inter-part spacing changes the layout.
| Settings | Sheets | Parts per sheet | Utilization / scrap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1220 × 2440 mm · spacing 0 mm · rotation on | 1 | 12 | 96.7% / 3.3% |
| 1220 × 2440 mm · spacing 3 mm · rotation on | 2 | 10 + 2 | 48.4% / 51.6% |
Scrap is 100 minus utilization and includes spacing, margins, and potentially reusable remnants. Zero spacing here is a comparison condition, not a recommendation for physical cutting.
Where nesting helps
- Woodworking and interiors: rectangular plywood, MDF, and particleboard parts.
- Signage: rectangular acrylic and foam-board panels with print orientation.
- Laser and CNC work: stock count and rectangle layouts before CAM.
- Metal sheet preparation: rectangular blanks with direction and clearance constraints.
These are planning applications. Material compatibility and machine settings must be checked separately.
Try a free nesting calculation
- Enter actual stock dimensions in millimetres.
- Add each rectangle’s width, height, and quantity.
- Set spacing, edge margin, and the rotation rule.
- Calculate, then inspect both the totals and each sheet drawing.
MOACUT’s free nesting calculation can be started without signing in. It uses a heuristic and does not guarantee a global optimum. It does not generate CAM toolpaths or machine code; continue production preparation in the appropriate machine software.