Why does cost per part fall with run size?

Setup and scrap adders are fixed, so they spread over more parts as the run grows. On the defaults, 900 parts carry about $0.59 each of adders against about $1.47 at 360 parts.

What belongs in the scrap adder?

Offcut handling, damaged sheets, re-cut parts and the labor to manage them. If nesting software reports offcut value, subtract only what the shop actually recovers.

How do I set the cutting cost per part?

Use the router or saw run rate, including blade or bit cost and operator time per part. If maintenance is charged per hour, convert it to a per-part figure before entering it.

Does the target change the total cost?

No. The total comes from parts, rate and the two adders. The target feeds the comparison row and the verdict, which warn when the cost per part runs above plan.

Furniture, Fixtures & Interior Products calculator

Panel Cutting Optimization Calculator

Build the cost of a cut-list run from a per-part cutting rate, setup and programming, and scrap handling. The page compares the cost per part with the target your quote allows.

What this calculator does

Total and per-part cutting cost from parts, a cutting rate, setup and scrap adders, checked against a target.

Formula used

Total cutting cost = parts × cutting cost per part + setup and programming + scrap and handling
Cost per cut part = total cutting cost ÷ parts cut
Variable cutting cost = parts × cutting cost per part
Fixed and scrap adders = setup and programming + scrap and handling
Cost vs target per part = target cost per part − cost per cut part

Inputs explained

Good Parts Cut: Good panels or parts cut in this run.
Cutting Cost per Part: Machine time, blades and attention per part cut.
Setup and Programming Cost: Setup labor and programming for the cut-list run.
Scrap and Handling Cost: Offcut, scrap and handling cost for the run.
Target Cost per Part: Cost target per good part, from the quote.

How to use the result

Best suited to pricing a nested cut-list run, choosing a prototype run or a full sheet, checking a rate against a per-part target.
Nesting quality and sheet yield are outside this cost model. Rework of cut parts is not separated from the scrap adder.

Current U.S. benchmarks

The producer price index for lumber stands at 286.633 (BLS, Aug 2026), up 7.6% from a year earlier. Quotes priced off last quarter's material cost miss this move.
The U.S. has 14,378 furniture and related products establishments employing about 355,594 workers (Census County Business Patterns, 2023).

Common questions

Why does cost per part fall with run size? Setup and scrap adders are fixed, so they spread over more parts as the run grows. On the defaults, 900 parts carry about $0.59 each of adders against about $1.47 at 360 parts.
What belongs in the scrap adder? Offcut handling, damaged sheets, re-cut parts and the labor to manage them. If nesting software reports offcut value, subtract only what the shop actually recovers.
How do I set the cutting cost per part? Use the router or saw run rate, including blade or bit cost and operator time per part. If maintenance is charged per hour, convert it to a per-part figure before entering it.
Does the target change the total cost? No. The total comes from parts, rate and the two adders. The target feeds the comparison row and the verdict, which warn when the cost per part runs above plan.

Last reviewed 2026-10-01.