Cutlist Evolution logo

Next-Generation CutList Optimizer

Overview

Truly best-in-class material & cut list optimization software for sheet / linear materials & rolls.
10% plus more efficient than any other software.
Save time, money & reduce the chances of mistakes.
Create estimates & reduce quotes from suppliers.
Use for free.
Squeeze the most out of your materials

Squeeze the most
from your materials

More efficient than other tools.

Sheet, linear or roll

Special optimization algorithms for a variety of material types.

Sheet (2D) material - including plywood, MDF, sheet metals & glass.
Linear (1D) material - including pipes, bars, boards & extrusions.
Rolls of material - including vinyl & fabric.

Features

Fast, accurate, efficient
Fast, accurate, efficient
Adjustable blade width / kerf
Adjustable blade width / kerf
Grain & pattern direction
Grain & pattern orientation
Sheet, linear & roll materials
Sheet, linear & roll materials
Trim stock
Trim stock
Edge banding
Edge banding
Offcuts can be fed into the next calculation
Offcuts fed into next calculation
Import from spreadsheet
Import from spreadsheet
Decimal & fractions
Decimal & fractions
Calculate quotes / estimates
Calculate quotes & estimates
Share results with anyone
Share results with anyone
Manually position parts
Manually position parts

Case study

Construction project

Cutlist Evolution is used to order materials for large construction projects.

In this case study, the supplier quoted a figure to produce panels based on their internal estimation tool.

Two source sheet sizes were available - the larger of which was substantially more expensive per sheet.

The challenge was to maximize efficiency while minimizing the number of larger sheets required.

Cutlist Evolution was used alongside other optimization software to challenge the original estimate and produce a cut list for the supplier.

Results

Small sheets required
792
620
Large sheets required
333
556
Total sheets required
1,125
1,176
Total material required [sq ft]
38,664
42,080
Cutlist Evolution
Leading optimizer

Summary

Cutlist Evolution successfully managed to reduce the number of larger sheets required, while also reducing the total number of sheets.

The client reduced the original estimate by a massive 51 sheets, saved 3,416 square feet of materials and a huge amount of money.

What is cut list optimization?

Cut lists document the parts, dimensions and cutting patterns needed to complete a project, whether a cabinet or a piece of furniture. However, creating a cut list can be tedious and challenging. Mistakes will lead to wasted materials and increased costs.

Cut list optimization is a process that can significantly reduce wasted materials when cutting parts from stock. Manual optimization can be done with pen and paper, but it's a time-consuming process prone to errors and inefficiency. Fortunately, automated software like Cutlist Evolution can generate optimized cutlists faster and more accurately than by hand.

Cutlist Evolution is a professional tool that calculates optimized cutlists ready for production. It considers efficiency, ease, and speed - and generates patterns designed to improve accuracy. Cutting patterns can be created for CNC machines, laser or water-jet, and guillotine cutting machines such as beam or table saws. The tool balances the time required to generate a solution and the efficiency achieved on an individual sheet of material.

Optimizing cut lists is part of a complex challenge defined in mathematics as the 'stock cutting' or 'bin packing' problem. As a result, generating a decent solution can take some time, even on powerful servers. However, the tool achieves over 90% efficiency reliably in tests using random parts, usually in the 96% range (including the space occupied by the cuts).

All-out efficiency is only sometimes the most desirable outcome, as it can lead to difficult cuts and mistakes. Cutlist Evolution's algorithm balances efficiency with ease and speed. The tool can save commercial workshops significant amounts of money and reduce waste.

To sum up, cutlist optimization is an important process that can save time and money in projects from many industries. Automated software like Cutlist Evolution makes the process significantly faster and more accurate than manual optimization. It's a professional tool that can generate optimized cut lists for linear and sheet material, making it ideal for commercial workshops.

Print cut list & labels

Layout diagram

Print your cut list as PDF to take to the workshop.

The position and dimensions of each part and offcut are clearly shown.

Use labels to keep your stock organised.

Inventory management

Track your materials and offcuts

Cutlist Evolution is a full inventory and offcut management solution as part of the Enterprise plan.

Keep track of your materials and automatically select the best offcuts to use in future calculations. Automatically discard offcuts based on size.

If you're not ready for an Enterprise account, offcuts can be manually fed into the next calucation with a click.

How Cutlist Evolution works

Cutlist Evolution is not like other optimization software. It uses a combination of artificial intelligence and mathematical algorithms to produce the best layouts. No other tools create cutting layouts in the same way.

A specialist algorithm exists for each material type - sheet, linear and roll. Each calculation considers many criteria to maximise efficiency and produce quick and accurate layouts to cut.

In addition to producing a part layout, a second pass runs to analyse the pattern and produce the fewest cuts required. The result is a cut list which is efficient and with the fastest production speed.

Any saw type

Settings for modern industrial saws, table saws, CNC machines, water jets, lasers & circular saws.

Table, beam, panel, circular saw or guillotine.
CNC machines, water jets, lasers.

Pricing

Pricing varies depending on your part & stock requirements.

Free: 40 parts / 10 stock.

Starter: 150 parts / 40 stock.

Pro: 200 parts / 60 stock.

Expert: 250 parts / 100 stock.

Enterprise: 400 parts / 100 stock.

Custom: We also offer custom plans for much larger quantities.

Vist the plans page to view all details and current pricing.

Plans

Any device

Mobile & desktop. Office & workshop.

Share projects with a simple link.

Mobile phone

Export in useful formats

Layout & cuts as PDF
Parts as CSV
DXF for CNC machines
SVG
PTX for beam saws
Printable labels to organise your parts

SmartCut API

Material optimization, estimation, quotation & e-commerce

API

Integrate our algorithms into your production processes more deeply with our API.

Do everything you can with Cutlist Evolution, but using your own website, app or internal software.

SmartCut API

Tools for the cut-to-size industry

Do you run a cut-to-size business?

Embed our checkout processes quickly with minimal development.

  • Allow users to view cut diagrams
  • Dramatically increase conversion
  • Enter cut dimensions quickly
  • Generate cut-list PDFs for your saw operators
Learn more about checkout

FAQs

What is cut list optimization?

Cut list optimization is the process of arranging parts efficiently on stock material to minimize waste.

Are you as good as other tools?

We constantly benchmark our performance, and tend to ourperform any other tool by around 10% in terms of efficiency.

We will save you a significant amount on your stock bill.

Opticutter benchmarkCutList Optimizer comparison

What materials is it suitable for?

Plywood, MDF, glass, sheet metal, wooden boards, pipes, vinyl, the list is endless.

Is there a post processor for my automatic beam saw?

You can export in PTX format - which is widely imported by computed controlled beam or panel saws for example Homag.

Software such as Cut Rite and Magi-Cut have been tested with our PTX format.

Is there an export format for my CNC machine?

You can export in DXF format - which is widely accepted by CNC software such as Vectric.

Is there an API?

If you'd like to integrate with your internal processes, we have an API which is quick to implement.

SmartCut API

Is there a user guide?

Yes, you can find it below.

User guide

Can I send to my supplier when ordering material cut to size?

Each project can be shared easily with a special link, which is ideal for sending to suppliers.

How much does it cost?

You can use for free, and upgrade for larger projects.

Plans

Can I pay for just a single project?

Yes, we offer one day access which is excellent value.

What are the limitations of the free version?

The free version has a generous limit on the number of parts and stock which can be used, various professional features are available if you upgrade.

Can I add cut lists to my e-commerce store?

Yes - we offer a number of ways to do this.

E-commerce

Will I be locked in?

No, you can cancel at any time.

Any articles I can read?

Read more about cut list optimization.

Articles