Metal fabrication
cutting optimizer
Steel sheets, aluminum profiles, copper tubing — 1D and 2D optimization for metal fabrication.
Start optimizingIn short
CutOptim optimizes metal cutting in one project: straight lengths of bar, tube and profile in 1D, and rectangular sheet and plate blanks in 2D. Set the kerf for your saw, shear, laser or plasma, get a cutting plan per material, and export it as PDF, CSV or DXF.
Why is metal fabrication waste so expensive?
Metal stock is expensive, and recycling waste is costly too. Both 1D optimization for profiles and tubes, and 2D optimization for sheets are critical for cost-effective production.
How does dual-mode optimization save metal?
CutOptim handles both 1D (profiles, tubes, bars) and 2D (sheets, plates) optimization simultaneously. Manage multiple material types in a single project.
Industry at a glance
1D + 2D combined
Profiles and sheets in one project — no need for two software tools.
Cutting sequence
Precise cutting order and waste list for 1D optimization.
Cost calculation
Real-time material cost estimation per m² or linear meter.
How does it work?
- 1
Describe the stock
Enter bar, tube and profile lengths for 1D and sheet or plate sizes for 2D — one run per material and thickness.
- 2
Enter the pieces and the kerf
Type, paste or import the cut list, and set the kerf of your saw, shear, laser or plasma.
- 3
Cut from the plan
Work from the PDF plan and the cut sequence at the machine, or export CSV or DXF. Usable offcuts go into the inventory.
Common use cases
Real-world scenarios where cutting optimization makes the biggest difference.
Sheet metal parts
Cutting brackets, panels, and enclosures from mild steel or stainless steel sheet. 2D optimization reduces the number of sheets needed.
Structural profiles
1D optimization for cutting steel tubes, angle iron, and C-profiles to length. Batch cutting of fence posts, framework, and support beams.
Roofing & cladding
Trapezoidal sheet and standing seam panels cut from coils or stock lengths. 1D optimization minimizes off-cuts.
Aluminum fabrication
Window frames, curtain walls, and decorative panels from aluminum sheets and extrusions. Both 1D profiles and 2D sheets in one project.
A railing set needs 21 sheet pieces in 4 sizes (infill panels, plates, kick plates, gussets) from 2000×1000 mm steel sheet, kerf 2 mm, and 40 tube lengths in 5 sizes from 6 m bars of 40×20 mm tube, kerf 3 mm. "Before" cuts the sheet one size at a time and the tube in list order; "After" is CutOptim. On this tube list a list-order cut already reaches the lower bound — the gain is in the sheet job. Both results come from the optimizer itself, for this one job.
One job, not an average. Measured results across many jobs:Benchmarks
Common metal materials
| Material | Standard sizes | Kerf | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mild steel sheet (S235/S275) | 2000×1000, 2500×1250, 3000×1500 mm | 1.5–3.0mm (saw), 0.2mm (laser) | Choose kerf based on cutting method: saw, plasma, or laser |
| Stainless steel sheet (304/316) | 2000×1000, 2500×1250 mm | 0.2–0.5mm (laser), 2.0mm (plasma) | Costly material — every sheet you save counts; enter the sheet price to see what a job costs |
| Aluminum sheet (5052/6061) | 2000×1000, 2500×1250 mm | 0.2mm (laser), 3.0mm (saw) | Lightweight but costly — offcut management is essential |
| Steel profiles (tubes, angles) | Standard lengths: 6000, 6500, 12000 mm | 1.5–3.0mm (bandsaw/cold saw) | Use 1D mode for all linear profile cutting |
What does CutOptim not do?
- The app optimizes rectangular blanks and straight lengths. Cutting irregular outlines with laser, plasma or waterjet is the Nesting mode (SVG or DXF import) or the nest endpoint of the Engine API.
- Kerf is one value per run: set it for your method and use a separate run for each material and thickness.
- DXF export carries outlines, not toolpaths or G-code — your CAM adds those.
Automate it — the Engine API
Cutting steel bars, aluminium profiles and tube is a 1D problem, and the same engine that runs here in your browser is available over HTTP. Your ERP or estimating software sends the bar list and the stock lengths as JSON, and gets back the optimized cut plan — bar count, yield and total length sawn — with no browser and no clicks.
- ✓Deterministic — the same request always returns the same cut plan, so quotes and audits are reproducible.
- ✓Free validation: POST /v1/validate/1d checks a job with no key and no quota.
- ✓Attach a meta object (your article number, order line) and it comes back on every placed cut.
- ✓Cutting irregular shapes on laser, plasma or waterjet? True-shape nesting is a separate endpoint — POST /v1/optimize/nest — packing arbitrary polygons into each other’s pockets. See the sheet-metal nesting API on the Engine hub.
POST /v1/optimize/1d
{
"parts": [
{ "length": 1200, "qty": 8, "meta": { "sku": "RHS-40x20" } },
{ "length": 2450, "qty": 4 }
],
"stock": [{ "length": 6000, "qty": 50, "price": 18.4 }],
"options": { "kerf": 3 }
}Frequently asked questions
Can CutOptim handle both 1D profiles and 2D sheets in one project?+
What kerf value should I use for laser cutting vs. plasma?+
How does CutOptim handle different material thicknesses?+
Can I export cutting plans for CNC machines?+
Is CutOptim suitable for nesting irregular metal shapes?+
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