Getting more from the material.
WHY IT MATTERS
Material is the largest cost and waste goes straight off the margin.
WHAT DETERMINES YIELD
Cutting plan Defect avoidance Sheet and board sizes against component sizes Cutting sequence Accuracy
WHAT TO PLAN BEFORE CUTTING
The cutting list, laid out on the actual sheet or board sizes.
WHY BEFORE
Cutting as you go produces offcuts that fit nothing.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Component sizes that use standard sheet dimensions efficiently.
WHY
Designing without regard to sheet sizes wastes substantial material.
WHAT TO DO WITH SOLID TIMBER
Plan around defects, and cut around them.
WHAT TO ACCOUNT FOR
Saw kerf, which consumes material on every cut.
WHY IT MATTERS
Ignoring it makes the last component too small.
WHAT TO ALLOW
Machining allowance on rough timber.
WHY
Planing and thicknessing remove material.
WHAT TO MEASURE
Material purchased against components produced.
WHAT DIFFERENCES REVEAL
Poor planning, cutting errors or loss.
WHAT TO DO WITH OFFCUTS
Store them accessibly and record what is available.
WHY ACCESSIBLY
Offcuts nobody can find are bought again.
WHAT THEY SUIT
Small components, jigs, samples and repairs.
WHAT TO AVOID
Accumulating offcuts nobody uses.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
That cutting is done by someone competent.
WHY
Cutting errors waste material and produce components that cannot be corrected.
