Check the nest before cutting
A wrong size or a missing part is found after the sheet is cut. That wastes board and time.
Steps
- 1
Export the parts list from your CNC or cabinet software as CSV or Excel. Use the parts list or label report. It should have: cabinet ID, part name, length, width, qty, material, edging.
- 2
Get the cabinet sizes from the APPROVED drawings. You can use the checked list from the guide 'Cut list from drawings'. Use text (CSV), not screenshots, when you can.
- 3
Ask the AI to compare the two lists:
Prompt to copy
Compare LIST A (parts list from the CNC software) with LIST B (cabinet sizes from the approved drawings). Do not change any numbers. My construction rules: <paste rules: board thickness, back type, shelf setback, door gaps>. For each cabinet check: every expected part is there (sides, base, top or rails, back, shelves, doors, drawer fronts), the quantity is right, and the sizes fit the cabinet size with my rules. Output a table with ONLY the problems: Cabinet ID, Part, Problem (MISSING / EXTRA / SIZE DIFFERENT / QTY DIFFERENT / MATERIAL DIFFERENT), Value in A, What you expected, How sure (High / Low). If you cannot check something, write CANNOT CHECK. Do not guess. LIST A: <paste> LIST B: <paste>
- 4
Check every flagged line on the drawing yourself. Fix the job in your CNC software, not in the AI table.
- 5
A clean AI result does NOT mean the nest is right. Still do your normal checks: material and thickness on the machine, grain direction, labels, first sheet.
- 6
Write down each real error the AI found, and each error it missed. After about 10 jobs you will know if it helps your shop.
Price details
A$0-30/mo for the AI assistant (ChatGPT Free to Plus A$30/mo). You use the parts list from the CNC or cabinet software you already have, so no extra software cost.
Who is this for? / Time saved
CNC operators and drafters who send jobs to the CNC or the panel saw.
*Our guess (not measured): 5-15 minutes of checking per job. The real gain is fewer recut parts, but we have no numbers for this.
Prices checked 20 Oct 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.
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