Laser cutting
Nesting for laser cutting, sized for small shops.
A laser bed is expensive real estate. Cutlattice helps you fit more parts into each sheet without a desktop CAM install — set your kerf and spacing, nest, then export geometry into the software that runs your machine.
What a laser nesting workflow actually needs
For most small laser jobs, the hard part is not the toolpath — it is arranging a mixed set of parts without wasting half a sheet. Cutlattice focuses on that step and leaves power, speed, and cut order to the laser software you already trust.
- True-shape placement instead of a simple grid or bounding-box pack.
- Kerf and part spacing applied to the layout.
- Rotation control for grain, surface finish, or fragile parts.
- Utilization feedback before you commit a sheet.
Materials and common jobs
The same workflow works across plywood, acrylic, MDF, cardboard, leather, and many technical materials. What changes is the kerf, the spacing you are comfortable with, and whether grain or a finished face restricts rotation.
- Signage and display parts in acrylic or plywood.
- Furniture and cabinet components where grain direction matters.
- Leather and textile parts where rotation can change the finish.
- Prototype and short-run jobs that do not justify a CAM suite.
From Cutlattice to the laser
Export SVG or DXF, open it in LightBurn, Glowforge, xTool, or your CNC software, and check that the imported dimensions match the sheet. Then assign cut layers and send the job. Cutlattice deliberately does not pretend to know your machine profile.
- SVG for vector-first tools and clean curve handling.
- DXF for CAD/CAM software that prefers polylines.
- Millimetre units in both formats.
- No hidden machine settings that can silently change a cut.
What it is not
Cutlattice is not a laser controller, a bitmap tracer, or an industrial NC post-processor. It will not set power and speed, and it does not connect to a machine. If your job depends on those steps, keep them in the software your machine vendor supports.
FAQ
How do I account for laser kerf?
Enter the measured kerf in the Kerf field. Cutlattice adds it to the spacing between parts so the layout reflects the material the beam will remove. A quick test cut is the best way to measure kerf for a new material.
What file should I export for LightBurn?
SVG is the simplest for vector work, and DXF works too. Both exports use millimetres. Import the file into LightBurn, check the scale, and assign your cut layers.
Does Cutlattice support plywood, acrylic, MDF, and leather?
Yes. The nesting engine works on closed 2D contours, so the material does not change the layout math. Use the kerf and spacing values that match the material and thickness.
Can it generate G-code?
No. Cutlattice focuses on layout and geometry. Use LightBurn or your existing CAM software for toolpaths, power, speed, and machine-specific G-code.
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