Steel Stock Length Optimizer
Enter required steel cut lengths and quantities, then generate a practical first-pass stock-bar plan. The tool packs long pieces first, accounts for cutting kerf and shows stock usage, offcuts and material utilization.
Cut list input
One line per cut: length in metres | quantity
Stock-cutting plan
Why cutting optimization beats a simple waste percentage
A generic 5% or 10% waste allowance does not tell you how many stock bars will actually be purchased. The real driver is how the individual cut lengths fit together.
How the first-pass optimizer works
The tool expands each quantity into individual pieces, sorts them from longest to shortest and places each piece into the first stock bar where it fits. Each additional cut consumes the entered kerf allowance. This is a fast heuristic intended for planning and comparison.
Worked example
Suppose a project needs twelve 4.8 m pieces. Two fit within a 12 m stock bar only when their combined length plus kerf remains within stock length. The optimizer therefore tests actual piece combinations rather than assuming every piece consumes an entire stock bar.
Why the plan can still be improved
Different nesting orders, reusable offcut inventories, stock-length availability, machine constraints and minimum commercially useful offcuts can produce a better shop result. Treat the generated pattern as a planning baseline rather than a guaranteed mathematical optimum.
Understanding utilization
Material utilization is required cut length divided by purchased stock length. High utilization generally means less nominal material is tied up in offcuts, but a low utilization result does not automatically mean the cutting plan is wrong: difficult dimensions can make some waste unavoidable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does kerf count as waste?
Yes. Kerf is material removed by the cutting process.
Does this find the absolute best solution?
No. It uses a longest-first first-fit heuristic.
Can offcuts be reused later?
Yes, when they are long enough, traceable and otherwise suitable for future parts.
Can I mix completely different steel sections?
No. Optimize each compatible stock type separately.