Nesting utilization: the quiet profit lever in sheet work

What utilization means

Parts per sheet determines the material cost each part carries. A $40 sheet yielding 10 parts loads $4 each; squeeze 12 on and it is $3.33 - a 17% material saving from software, not suppliers.

Typical numbers

Simple rectangles nest above 80% utilization; irregular shapes drop to 50-65%. Common-line cutting, grain-direction freedom and mixing small filler parts into gaps all raise yield.

Quote at real utilization

Quoting an optimistic nest you cannot achieve eats margin invisibly. Nest first (even roughly), then quote the parts-per-sheet you will actually run - and re-quote when batch size changes the nest.

It compounds with volume

On a 500-part order, one extra part per sheet can save dozens of sheets. Review nests on every repeat job - material prices move, and yesterday's nest is rarely today's optimum.