Nesting (Nestor)

Nestor packs 2D and 3D parts. An exhaustive geometric search, paired with AI optimization, chooses the order, position, and orientation of every part and fits more of them into a sheet or a build volume.

2D nesting of letter shapes inside a star 3D nesting of complex parts in a build volume

Nestor was developed by engineers with decades of experience in computational geometry and CAD/CAM. The aim is less material waste and more parts from every job.

  • Material use. Higher part density, so less sheet, plate, and powder is left unused.
  • Time and cost. More parts in one sheet or one build means fewer production runs.
  • Sort by AI. Nesting order is searched, not fixed. On a 722-part test batch, Nestor placed 583 parts, against 567 for the best standard order.
  • Containables. Smaller parts sit in the cavities under overhangs, arches, and brackets, which adds parts on powder-bed printers (SLS, MJF, binder jetting).
  • Preview. The same placement search reports how many parts will fit before a layout is written.
  • Integration. Run Nestor on its own, or embed it through an API and SDK in a CAD/CAM system or an MES.

The same engine covers interlocking pairs (Coupling), automatic seating on the largest flat face (OrientExpress), fair sharing of mixed batches, and limits on spacing, rotation, and mirroring.

Nestor is used for sheet metal, 3D printing, woodworking, textiles and composites, and packaging. Contact GraphiTech for a demo at shai@graphitech.net.