A nesting system is a process by which one or more patterns are laid out on a flat material. Most existing nesting systems attempt to maximize materials usage by relying on trial and error, human judgment, and human experience. Some of the few existing nesting systems are semi-automated; none are fully automated and all have to use regularly shaped material. Nesting Technologies Associates Inc. (NTAI) proposes an automated software system which will create an efficient and effective pattern for laying out shapes on a flat material. Through expanding the algorithm, the researchers will evaluate and refine their ability to find a near-optimal layout for (I) many or few identical shapes; and (2) numerous, dissimilar shapes on both regularly and irregularly-shaped stock. The system will, in most cases, achieve a near-optimal layout with close to maximum materials utilization at speeds much faster than existing methods. The system will reduce successive iterations between design-engineering and manufacturing. Commercial Applications: Extensive applications exist in the semiconductor, printed circuit board, automotive, sheet metal, apparel, footwear, and other industries which employ a laying out or printing of patterns on flat stock in their design-manufacturing processes. Further, the application will enable use of remnants across numerous industries.
