Nesting sign letters for a Thermwood router
Thermwood routers are built for production work. When the job is sign letters, NestSigns handles the nesting: it reads the letters from your design file, packs them onto your sheets and leftovers, and gives you a layout to import into CAM.
Start free: 20 runs, no credit cardWhere NestSigns fits
| Step | Tool |
|---|---|
| 1. Design the letters | Illustrator, CorelDRAW or FlexiSIGN |
| 2. Nest the letters | NestSigns: open the .ai, .cdr, PDF, DXF or SVG file and choose sheets or leftovers |
| 3. Make toolpaths | The CAM software you use with the Thermwood: import the nested DXF |
| 4. Cut | The Thermwood controller |
Built for letter shapes
Sign letters are not rectangles. NestSigns nests their true outlines, turns them to the angles you allow, and can place small letters and dots inside the counters of bigger letters when they fit with full spacing. You can lock the direction of parts that must not turn, for example letters with a grain or a brushed finish.
Shared cut lines, as an option
For straight-edged parts you can turn on common-line cutting so neighbors share one cut. It is off by default, and you can check the result on screen before you export.
Check before it reaches the machine
After each run NestSigns measures the smallest gap actually left between parts and shows the total cut length, so you can check the layout and estimate cutting time before you make toolpaths.
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 for AXYZ routers, aluminum composite nesting and how to nest channel letters.
Questions
Does NestSigns make toolpaths for my Thermwood?
No. NestSigns does the nesting and exports DXF, PDF or AI. You make toolpaths in the CAM software you already use.
Is NestSigns made by Thermwood?
No. NestSigns is separate software and is not affiliated with Thermwood. It works with any router that can cut from a DXF or PDF layout.
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