Machine profiles

A profile tells SmartNest how your cutter behaves, so spacing, lead-ins, and pierce clearance are right before you ever hit go. Start from these and tune to your shop.

Editable per machineUnits imperial or metricSaved with your shop

Process 01

Plasma

Wider kerf and more part spacing to clear the arc and heat-affected edge.

Kerf0.060″

Part spacing0.150″

Lead-inArc, 0.20″

Pierce clearance0.25″

Min hole1.0× thickness

Process 02

Laser

Tight kerf for fine detail. Small bridges hold tiny inner cut-outs.

Kerf0.010″

Part spacing0.040″

Lead-inStraight, 0.06″

Pierce clearance0.08″

Min hole0.5× thickness

Process 03

Waterjet

No heat, very tight nesting. Taper compensation on thick stock.

Kerf0.030″

Part spacing0.050″

Lead-inStraight, 0.08″

Pierce clearance0.10″

Min hole0.5× thickness

Process 04

Router

Tool-diameter kerf and tabs so parts do not shift mid-cut.

Kerf0.250″ bit

Part spacing0.300″

Lead-inRamp, 0.30″

Hold-downTabs, 4/part

Min holetool dia

Kerf cheat sheet

Kerf is the width of material the cut removes. SmartNest offsets every toolpath by half the kerf so finished parts come out to size. Typical starting values:

Process	Thin (under 1/4″)	Medium (1/4″ to 1/2″)	Thick (over 1/2″)
Plasma	0.045″	0.060″	0.090″
Laser	0.008″	0.014″	0.025″
Waterjet	0.030″	0.035″	0.045″
Router	bit dia	bit dia	bit dia

Always test on scrap. These are starting points. Your amperage, nozzle, pressure, and material grade move the real number. Cut a test coupon, measure, and save the result back to the profile.