In free-form nesting, “2D nesting” (then called “Sheet metal 2D”) now computes two plans when the same part comes up in quantity: a free placement and a lattice tiling. It keeps the one that leaves the least offcut. Open to everyone, no account needed.
Lattice tiling
- Parts are paired head-to-tail into a motif, which the calculation repeats across the sheet.
- It is only tried when the run is large enough for a motif to repeat. On a small batch, free placement applies as before.
- On one of our test batches (310 identical blanks, 2000 × 1000 mm sheet, 5 mm spacing), the first sheet holds 154 parts instead of 131.
Reading the plan
- The same evening, an “engine” entry was added under the statistics, reading “lattice tiling”, “free placement” or “rectangular nesting”. Its tooltip explains the choice.
- If you change a setting, the plan stays on screen, dimmed, under the “Outdated plan” banner. DXF export stays locked until you run “Nest the sheet” again.