Nesting sign letters for a Onefinity CNC
Onefinity machines are popular with small shops and makers who cut letters, logos and plaques. Their tables are often smaller than a full 4 × 8 sheet, so material is cut into pieces first and every piece counts. NestSigns packs the letters from your design file onto exactly the size you load, so fewer pieces get used.
Start free: 20 runs, no credit cardWhere NestSigns fits
| Step | Tool |
|---|---|
| 1. Design the letters | Illustrator, CorelDRAW, Inkscape or another design program |
| 2. Nest the letters | NestSigns: open the .ai, .cdr, PDF, DXF or SVG file and type the size of the piece you will load |
| 3. Make toolpaths | The CAM software you use with the Onefinity: import the nested DXF |
| 4. Cut | The Onefinity controller |
Sheets cut down to fit your table
Type any width and height in inches or centimeters, or pick a common size such as 48 × 24 in. If you keep offcuts, add them to your material stock: NestSigns uses the smallest leftover pieces that fit first, then full pieces, and updates the stock when you mark the job done. Letters too big for the piece can be left out or divided, and the divided pieces are labeled A1, A2… so they go back together.
Spacing set from your bit
Small machines often cut letters with a 1/8 in or 1/4 in bit. Type the bit diameter and NestSigns sets the part spacing from it, then measures the smallest gap actually left and shows it with the result. More in router bit size and part spacing.
Holding small letters down
On a smaller machine without vacuum, small letters are usually held with tabs, onion skin or screws. Keep the gap a little wider than the bit so tabs fit between parts. See keeping small letters in place on the last pass.
What else it does for letter jobs
- True-shape nesting by the real letter outlines: any angle, 0/180° only, or no rotation.
- Exact spacing. Type the gap or your bit diameter; every layout is checked and shows the smallest gap measured.
- Parts inside letter holes. Small pieces go inside O, A, B and D, and holes stay with their letter.
- Leftovers first. Full sheets and leftover pieces per material, smallest leftovers used first, stock updated when the job is done.
- Oversize letters left out, divided, or divided with a 1 in joining strip, pieces labeled A1, A2…
- Every part numbered on the sheets and on the original artwork in the layout summary PDF.
See also nesting letters before Easel, nesting letters before VCarve and PVC letter nesting.
Questions
Does NestSigns make toolpaths for my Onefinity?
No. NestSigns does the nesting and exports DXF, PDF, AI, SVG or LightBurn files. You make toolpaths in the CAM software you already use.
Can I nest onto a piece smaller than a full sheet?
Yes. Type any width and height, or keep your offcuts in the material stock so NestSigns uses them first.
Is NestSigns made by Onefinity?
No. NestSigns is separate software and is not affiliated with Onefinity CNC. It works with any machine that can cut from a DXF or PDF layout.
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