Cutting sign letters on a Shapeoko

A Shapeoko is a common first router for shops that start cutting their own letters in acrylic, PVC or ACM. Most beds are smaller than a 4 × 8 sheet, so the sheet is cut into pieces before it goes on the machine. NestSigns works out how the letters fit on those pieces, so a job takes fewer of them.

Plan the pieces before you cut the sheet

When a full sheet will not fit on your bed, decide the piece size first, for example 48 × 24 in or a size that fits inside your clamps. Type that size in NestSigns, or pick one of the common sizes, and run the nest. You see straight away how many pieces the job needs, so you can cut only those from the sheet and keep the rest whole.

Leave room for clamps

Many Shapeoko owners hold material with clamps or a threaded spoilboard instead of vacuum. Set an edge margin so letters stay clear of the clamp area. NestSigns keeps every part inside that margin and shows the smallest distance to the edge after each nest.

A gap that fits your bit and your tabs

Type the bit diameter you cut with, often 1/8 in or 1/4 in, and NestSigns sets the part spacing from it. If you leave tabs, make the gap a little wider. After each nest the smallest real gap is measured and shown. More in router bit size and part spacing and keeping small letters in place.

Into your toolpaths

Download the nested layout as DXF or SVG and bring it into the software you use to make toolpaths, such as Carbide Create. The steps are on nesting letters for Carbide Create. Every part is numbered, and the summary PDF shows the same numbers on your design, so sorting after the cut is quick.

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 sign letters on a Onefinity, nesting before Easel and acrylic sheet nesting.

Questions

Does NestSigns run my Shapeoko?

No. NestSigns only does the nesting and exports the layout. You make toolpaths and run the machine with the software you already use.

Can I keep the offcuts for the next job?

Yes. Add leftover pieces to your material stock. NestSigns uses the smallest leftovers that fit first, then full pieces.

Is NestSigns made by Carbide 3D?

No. NestSigns is separate software and is not affiliated with Carbide 3D or Shapeoko.

More: All features · NestSigns for your machine and software · FAQ