Auto Layout?

[gulliver22]

Do most of the popular Cad/Cam programs have a function that you can tell it the dimensions of the stock and it will automatically try and layout as many pieces of your part to get the most parts out of said stock? I term this auto layout, but is there a common term for it, and what software supports such (if any)?

TIA

[big_mak]

I think the feature you are looking for is nesting.

Some CAM packages for flame cutting or laser provide this, but machining based CAM I'm not entirely sure. Gibbs doesn't offer it. Mastercam? UGS?

[big_mak]

some of these programs even allow you so specify grain direction for a particular part, and will layout your parts accordingly. Sorry I can't be of more assistance.

[ger21]

For woodworking, there is a lot of high end (expensive) software that does nesting for routers. most are also cabinet design software, though. check out www.cadcode.com

[gulliver22]

Well at least knowing it is commonly called nesting puts me in the right direction. Now I can search my help file to see if it has it. Provided they use the same terminology.

Thanks!
:-)