You computer whizzes - you know who you are :-)

Dave Bagwill · Post by **Dave Bagwill** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 11:40 pm

So, here's something I don't have the computer program that will solve this for me.

Given a 2' x 4' sheet of ( 3/4") mdf, how can I lay out and cut out the most layers of a guitar mold?
Probably using a dred sized mold half.

Thanks.

Edit - these pieces only have to be 1" deep for my purposes, which is to make a clamping form like the pic I now attach, except for a symmetrical non cutaway guitar.

Glen H · Post by **Glen H** » Tue Sep 17, 2013 8:07 am

Hi Dave,
I can't help you with the program, but I work in mfg. The program is called a "nesting" program and can be quite complex. Ours run on a mfg machine that cuts the blank. Just a suggestion, it think be easier to cut out a posterboard sample of the shape and trace it out manually.

Dave Bagwill · Post by **Dave Bagwill** » Tue Sep 17, 2013 9:25 am

Thanks Glen, and welcome to the forum!

I may end up doing the manual nesting if nothing else turns up...

Dave Bagwill · Post by **Dave Bagwill** » Tue Sep 17, 2013 10:15 am

I found this 'free to try' program at download.com and will give it a try.
http://download.cnet.com/NestProfessor/ ... 90594.html

EDIT: too much for me and my computer.

dave d · Post by **dave d** » Tue Sep 17, 2013 11:23 am

Dave - I've not tried this myself, but I know a lot of woodworking folk use SketchUp, with a free plug-in called Cutlist to optimize their layouts.
Link to the free version of SketchUp: http://sketchup.com/products/sketchup-make

Dave Bagwill · Post by **Dave Bagwill** » Tue Sep 17, 2013 11:24 am

Thanks Dave, I'll take a look-see.

John Parchem · Post by **John Parchem** » Tue Sep 17, 2013 3:40 pm

I am low tech I just trace a template using a template. For molds I do try to come up with a nice packing pattern and replicate that packing solution over and over again. I just use intuition. The may be a program that more efficiently uses the sheet but I have not tried one.

Acoustic Guitar Construction

You computer whizzes - you know who you are :-)

You computer whizzes - you know who you are :-)

Re: You computer whizzes - you know who you are :-)

Re: You computer whizzes - you know who you are :-)

Re: You computer whizzes - you know who you are :-)

Re: You computer whizzes - you know who you are :-)

Re: You computer whizzes - you know who you are :-)

Re: You computer whizzes - you know who you are :-)