cutlist

[mrgrimsdale]

Just had a peek over there and the poor things are getting their kn**ers in a tw*st over the price of "cutlist" which apparently is a programme for optimising your cutting out.
Somebody has posted "Pencil Paper Calculator It's how the pros do it - cos its quicker!"
Actually even that simple list is more than you really need if you just follow the old rule of thumb: always cut the biggest piece (longest piece of largest section) first, from the smallest piece possible (including off-cuts).
You have to follow the rule exactly even when counter-intuitive. e.g. you might think that cutting 10no 2ft pieces from from 2no 10ft pieces is a good idea as there is no waste, but you might find that you now can't extract a 7ft piece which you want, even though you have stacks of 5ft pieces.
Works the same with sheet, except orientation is an extra consideration.

cheers
Jacob

[Dan Tovey]

I cut componants in exactly the same way, but surely you have to work out a list first with a paper and pencil?

[mrgrimsdale]

Sept 25, 2008 9:51:10 GMT Dan Tovey said:

I cut componants in exactly the same way, but surely you have to work out a list first with a paper and pencil?

Well OK ;D but what I meant was that once you have your cutting list and your stack of wood, you don't need to work anything out if you just follow the rule.

[lynx]

i am thinking about getting the program. My hours are needed in the workshop, not on the computer trying to work out quantities for suppliers. It only takes a few minutes to enter the panels and it's done.

Small jobs, not needed, but a large panel job with special order panels, it's great.

[jake]

Time is money, but money is newfangled nonsense.

[wizer]

I wouldn't be without it, I bought my computer to do that sort of thing so I can spend more time doing things I enjoy.

[modernist]

I use it a lot but it really comes into its own when you have many pieces rather than small jobs. Even better if you have different mixes of standard parts which you have already entered.

We have saved up to 18% of raw material at work (I adapted it for use with our plastic and rubber sheets/rolls)

We paid £110 for the top version to hold the large library of different parts we needed.

Wots it gone up to?

Brian

[jfc]

I must be missing something , surely you have to put into it it the sizes you need . If you do that then you know what you need to cut out of what anyway as you have already worked it out

[wizer]

it can work out the most economical way to get your parts out of a sheet.

[modernist]

Sept 25, 2008 18:44:25 GMT jfc said:

I must be missing something , surely you have to put into it it the sizes you need . If you do that then you know what you need to cut out of what anyway as you have already worked it out

You can opt for maximum rips or crosscuts or leaving waste at the side or end depending on how you want to work.

[engineerone]

but then jason since you get it cut at the yard ;D you leave it up to them don't you

this is obviously a product that is more effective for those using sheet materials. except of course does it actually take grain patterns into account?

paul

[jfc]

I would say it is a product more for those preping thier own timber . I work out sheet material cut lists in my head . Then again if it where for preping your own timber it wouldnt take into account defects so really its just another "brass knob "

[wizer]

Same old argument. It would take me hours to sit down an work out a cutlist for 5 boards. Those in the trade can probably do it in minutes.

It's worth noting that the software is designed for businesses that hold their own stocks of sheet material and it acts as a database, works out stock levels, records useable offcuts (for which it will re-use on another job), etc etc. It can remember which saw kerf goes with which saw. The software can dump lists straight to cnc, it can report back to a parent server to order new stock as levels deplete.

It's not just for a guy making the odd kitchen cabinet. It's a luxury for us hobbiests with money to buy a service that saves time.

[wizer]

forgot to mention that it can print labels for each part, which I'm sure for jobs with over 50 parts is a bloody godsend.

[jfc]

I can see it working for say a kitchen company employing staff so not everyone is on the ball when it comes to wastage but even on a job with over 50 parts most of them are going to be the same anyway .
Like you say it a toy really and if its helps at the same time then great .

[lynx]

i'm writing up a cutting list for a reception desk. I have just installed the application, got half done so far with 126 cuts and 23 sheets. I can say it's saved me over £100 on the original estimate so far. In my book thats more than a toy.

edit, now £160 ;D

[jfc]

All good untill you find a sheet or two with a bad corner and have to spend half a day sorting it out
Like i said its good for a big company with staff that have no idea of the parts they are making , other than that i find simple maths easier and cheaper .

[modernist]

Sept 25, 2008 19:10:36 GMT engineerone said:

except of course does it actually take grain patterns into account?

paul

Yes it does

[engineerone]

how??

paul

[lynx]

you tick a box telling it the board material has a grain pattern, running length or width.

[Dan Tovey]

Sept 25, 2008 22:29:37 GMT lynx said:

you tick a box telling it the board material has a grain pattern, running length or width.

I think what Paul was meaning was the aesthetics of the grain pattern.

For instance, when cutting 6mm veneered MDF or ply for cabinet door panels, you're going to want to line up the pattern down the middle of the door, and a pair of doors are going to want to match.

Also, most people would want to select the nicest pieces of timber for the most visible parts of a project, such as the top of a cabinet.

No computer's going to do all that for you.

[mrgrimsdale]

Well that's all jolly interesting
The aforementioned "rule of thumb" will do all the above, and allow for selection for grain, or rejecting damaged boards etc - provided you can practically work your way through your stock / cutting-list in descending order of size.
I guess the Cut-list algorithm would probably use a similar approach but presumably you would have to feed in every detail of every piece including off-cuts. What happens when a chosen piece proves to be unsuitable, chipped corner or whatever? Decisions made on the shop floor same as the "rule of thumb" system?

cheers
Jacob

[paulchapman]

Sept 25, 2008 19:14:55 GMT jfc said:

so really its just another "brass knob "

;D ;D

[mrgrimsdale]

Sept 25, 2008 20:22:16 GMT lynx said:

i'm writing up a cutting list for a reception desk. I have just installed the application, got half done so far with 126 cuts and 23 sheets. I can say it's saved me over £100 on the original estimate so far. In my book thats more than a toy.

edit, now £160 ;D

Yebbut - using the rule of thumb you would have done a round figure estimate for your order quantities with a margin for error, but then saved the same £160 etc, but as left over stock for the next job.

cheers
Jacob

[jfc]

Or realised your mistake had cost you £160 and worked it out properly the next time ;D