As published by Wikipedia in “Nesting (process),” nesting is defined as laying out cutting patterns to minimize raw material waste when producing parts from sheet metal, glass sheets, cloth rolls, bars, and similar stock.
Nesting also applies to additive manufacturing like 3D printing, where the goal can include reducing non-productive tool movement or fitting more parts into a single build, with added complexity because cross-sections can change by height and interfere with neighboring parts. Common categories include 1D nesting for bars and pipes, 2D nesting for flat materials (including freeform shapes and roll vs sheet stock), and 3D nesting for packing problems. Nesting software automates pattern distribution using algorithms, connects CAD profiles to cut output, and must account for real production constraints like clamping zones, machine access limits, tool widths, minimum offsets between parts, defects, and grain or direction requirements.
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