Substrate Usage Software (best cost effective fit & cut)

[Shane Drew]

quote Praveen Jayawardene:

Hello All,

Hope all is well.

Would anyone be able to tell me if there is a program that allows you to enter the sign size ,the substrate size options so it can tell you best and most cost effective way of using that substrate without to much wastage ? I guess best fit for the size sign you have.

I use alot of aluminum composite panels and colour bond sheets.

Appreciate your feedback,

Cheers,
PJ

Hi buddy,

Only software I’ve seen is custom made. One of my suppliers has a cut to size business that sells all sorts of substrates, and he has a very rudimentary software pack that he paid squillions for. Does the job, and he only needs it so it makes sure his staff have as little waste as possible, but I just do the measurements on paper and draw my own. I label my offcuts and use them 1st for any smaller signs, or I cut them down to A3 and A4, and stack on the shelf. Anyone wanting a small sign gets A3 or A4 at a better rate than a custom size. Amazing how many people will settle for a size when the price is cheaper.

Hope that helps.

[Robert Lambie]

i might be reading your post wrong…
i.e. do you mean you have various sizes of sign blanks to cut and you want a software that will quickly show you how a sheet of material can be cut up with as little waste as possible?
if so…
I have an AXYZ CNC router software that allows you to nest your letters/shapes using the size of material you have. so lets say you have an 8x4ft sheet… and you have loads of letter, squares, circles etc you just select the ones you want to cut and hit nest and it will put the lot into the size you have in seconds. if you have too many shapes it shows on screen which ones exceed the space you have so you just delete them for the next sheet.
i do NOT have the Signlab that is needed for this but i am sure the newer versions of signlab also show you how to nest letters/graphics? this being the case its just the same, quick and easy… if your going to then cut by hand its just a case of print out the screen visual as it also shows you the sizes etc

[Chris Wool]

sometimes i will draw the sheet in coral and fit the bits to see how will go.
move them about rotate them etc.

rips will have a good go at it but will only work with squares and oblongs.

chris

[Michael Potter]

Vinyl Master Pro will also nest shapes on to whatever vinyl size you input so whilst I have never tried it I guess you could tell it the vinyl was 2400 X 1200 and see what it suggests.
cheers Mike

[Simon Clayton]

Flexisign also does it, best way I’ve found is as Chris says

[Praveen Jayawardene]

Thanks Guys for the generous feedback.
There is some great options to choose from.I thought there may have been a program on its own that was on the market,or maybe someone has made,maybe not.

Appreciate your feedback and your time.!

Cheers,
PJ