A cutting plan groups requested pieces into available stock lengths. It helps review a materials list, but physical cuts need allowances that depend on tools, material and sequence.
Use one length unit
Enter whole millimetres for stock, piece sizes and the cut gap. The tool expands quantities and sorts pieces longest first. Pieces longer than stock are rejected, and total pieces are capped to keep the plan inspectable. Confirm measurements and quantity before optimizing.
Understand the heuristic
First-fit decreasing puts each piece in the first existing stock that has room, otherwise opening another length. It is not a proof of the minimum possible stock count. Another arrangement might create fewer stocks or more reusable offcuts when several similar sizes compete for space.
Allow for the actual cutting sequence
The model reserves one kerf between adjacent pieces. It does not reserve end trim or an extra cut separating the last piece from an offcut. Grain, defects and measurement tolerance also matter. Review the exported plan and add allowances appropriate to the physical process before ordering or cutting.
Worked example
Scroll the table horizontally on small screens to see every column.
| Requested pieces | Total length | Stock length | Ignoring cuts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 × 600 + 3 × 400 | 3,000 mm | 2,400 mm | At least 2 stocks |
The lower bound does not prove a packing is feasible. Layout and cutting allowances still need inspection.
Sources and checks
Examples are illustrative and can be checked with the linked tools. Read each tool’s assumptions before applying its result. How we verify methods.