Skip to content
Request a ToolBrowse all tools
Home / Formulas / Manufacturing Formulas
49 Formulas

Manufacturing Formulas

Panel optimisation, machining and yield equations.

CNC Feed Calculator

Open the CNC Feed Calculator →
CNC Feed Calculator
Feed rate (mm/min) = RPM x Number of flutes x Chip load
Used in CNC Feed Calculator
CNC Feed Calculator
Surface speed (m/min) = pi x Tool diameter x RPM / 1000
Used in CNC Feed Calculator
CNC Feed Calculator
Material removal rate = Feed x Depth of cut x Tool dia / 1000
Used in CNC Feed Calculator
CNC Feed Calculator
Chip load = Feed rate / (RPM x flutes) [to verify]
Used in CNC Feed Calculator
CNC Feed Calculator
Feed in IPM = Feed mm/min / 25.4 (imperial machines)
Used in CNC Feed Calculator

Kerf Loss Calculator

Open the Kerf Loss Calculator →
Kerf Loss Calculator
Kerf loss per sheet = Number of cuts x Kerf width
Used in Kerf Loss Calculator
Kerf Loss Calculator
Loss percentage = (Kerf loss / Cut length) x 100
Used in Kerf Loss Calculator
Kerf Loss Calculator
Effective usable length = Cut length - Total kerf loss
Used in Kerf Loss Calculator
Kerf Loss Calculator
Total loss = Loss per sheet x Number of sheets
Used in Kerf Loss Calculator

MDF Weight Calculator

Open the MDF Weight Calculator →
MDF Weight Calculator
Volume (m3) = (L/1000) x (W/1000) x (T/1000)
Used in MDF Weight Calculator
MDF Weight Calculator
Weight (kg) = Volume x Density
Used in MDF Weight Calculator
MDF Weight Calculator
Weight per m2 = (Thickness/1000) x Density
Used in MDF Weight Calculator
MDF Weight Calculator
Total weight = Weight per panel x Quantity
Used in MDF Weight Calculator
MDF Weight Calculator
MDF ~750, Particle ~650, Plywood ~680, HDF ~900 kg/m3
Used in MDF Weight Calculator

Hardware Position Tool

Open the Hardware Position Tool →
Hinge spacing
top + bottom inset fixed, middle hinges evenly spaced
Used in Hardware Position Tool
Hardware Position Tool
Middle hinge gap = (span between end hinges) / (hinges - 1)
Used in Hardware Position Tool
35mm hinge cup
22mm edge inset is standard
Used in Hardware Position Tool
System 32
holes at 32mm pitch, 5mm diameter
Used in Hardware Position Tool
System 32 front row
typically 37mm from front edge
Used in Hardware Position Tool

Bending Radius Calculator

Open the Bending Radius Calculator →
Bending Radius Calculator
Minimum radius = ratio x thickness
Used in Bending Radius Calculator
Bending Radius Calculator
Bent lamination ~ 2x thickness | Steam ~ 10x | Plywood ~ 12x
Used in Bending Radius Calculator
Bending Radius Calculator
Solid cold bend ~ 50x thickness (very limited)
Used in Bending Radius Calculator
Bending Radius Calculator
Lamination ply thickness ~ radius / 50
Used in Bending Radius Calculator
Bending Radius Calculator
Kerf count = (arc length) / kerf spacing
Used in Bending Radius Calculator

Nesting Efficiency Calculator

Open the Nesting Efficiency Calculator →
Nesting Efficiency Calculator
Usable area = (Sheet_L - 2xtrim) x (Sheet_W - 2xtrim)
Used in Nesting Efficiency Calculator
Nesting Efficiency Calculator
Grid parts/sheet = floor fits in length x width (best orientation)
Used in Nesting Efficiency Calculator
Nesting Efficiency Calculator
Theoretical max = floor(Usable area / Part area)
Used in Nesting Efficiency Calculator
Nesting Efficiency Calculator
Material efficiency % = (Part area x Qty) / (Sheet area x Sheets) x 100
Used in Nesting Efficiency Calculator
Nesting Efficiency Calculator
Waste % = 100 - Material efficiency
Used in Nesting Efficiency Calculator

Veneer Matching Tool

Open the Veneer Matching Tool →
Veneer Matching Tool
Effective leaf = leaf dimension - join overlap/trim
Used in Veneer Matching Tool
Veneer Matching Tool
Leaves across = ceil(Panel width / Effective leaf width)
Used in Veneer Matching Tool
Veneer Matching Tool
Leaves down = ceil(Panel height / Effective leaf height)
Used in Veneer Matching Tool
Veneer Matching Tool
Total leaves = across x down (from one flitch, in sequence)
Used in Veneer Matching Tool
Book
mirror | Slip: repeat | Quarter/Diamond: 4-leaf centre
Used in Veneer Matching Tool

Veneer Layup Tool

Open the Veneer Layup Tool →
Veneer Layup Tool
Total thickness = face + back + core + (cross-bands x N) + glue lines
Used in Veneer Layup Tool
Veneer Layup Tool
Glue lines = 2 + number of cross-bands
Used in Veneer Layup Tool
Veneer Layup Tool
Total plies = face + back + core + cross-bands
Used in Veneer Layup Tool
Balanced if
face thickness = back thickness (same species)
Used in Veneer Layup Tool
Symmetric if
total ply count is odd, mirrored about core
Used in Veneer Layup Tool

Cut List Optimizer

Open the Cut List Optimizer →
Cut List Optimizer
Parts across length = floor((Sheet_L + kerf) / (Part_L + kerf))
Used in Cut List Optimizer
Cut List Optimizer
Parts across width = floor((Sheet_W + kerf) / (Part_W + kerf))
Used in Cut List Optimizer
Cut List Optimizer
Parts per sheet = parts_L x parts_W (best of both orientations)
Used in Cut List Optimizer
Cut List Optimizer
Sheets needed = ceil(Quantity / Parts_per_sheet)
Used in Cut List Optimizer
Cut List Optimizer
Yield % = (used part area) / (total sheet area) x 100
Used in Cut List Optimizer

Edge Band Calculator

Open the Edge Band Calculator →
4 edges
band = 2 x (Length + Width)
Used in Edge Band Calculator
3 edges
band = 2 x Length + Width
Used in Edge Band Calculator
2 edges
band = Length + Width
Used in Edge Band Calculator
Edge Band Calculator
Total = band per panel x quantity x (1 + waste%)
Used in Edge Band Calculator
Edge Band Calculator
Rolls = ceil(Total metres / Roll length)
Used in Edge Band Calculator

Common questions

Where do these formulas come from?

Every formula on this page comes from a published source — standards, handbooks or long-established trade rules for panel and manufacturing work. The source is named next to each formula. Nothing here is invented by us.

Can I use these formulas in my own spreadsheets or software?

Yes. The formulas themselves are public knowledge and free to use anywhere. If our page helped you, a link back is appreciated but not required.

Are the calculators on this site using these exact formulas?

Yes. Each calculator runs the formula shown here, and automated tests check the results against worked examples from the original sources before anything goes live.