These rules explain why some panels in the preflight report have different dimensions between the cutting list (Excel) and the CNC program (MPR). These are expected differences caused by automated processing, not errors.
Some panels need to be thicker than the available sheet stock. For example, a 38mm worktop when only 19mm sheets are available. Slab-up solves this by cutting two panels from thinner stock and bonding them together to achieve the required thickness.
-SLAB-UP appended to it.The MPR file contains the original panel dimensions (the finished size after trimming). The Excel cutting list shows dimensions that are 60mm larger in each direction. This difference is expected and is listed in the SLAB-UP PANELS section of the report rather than as a size mismatch error.
Example:
Original panel: 600 x 400mm at 38mm thick
Stock available: 19mm sheets
Cutting list: 660 x 460mm, qty 2 (label: C101-Top-SLAB-UP)
After bonding and trimming: 600 x 400mm at 38mm
The edgebanding machine has a minimum panel dimension of 140mm. Panels smaller than this cannot be safely fed through the machine. To solve this, panels are cut oversized and then manually trimmed down after edgebanding.
[Recut W to 95mm],
indicating the final size to recut to after edgebanding.The MPR file contains the original (smaller) dimensions. The Excel cutting list shows the enlarged dimensions needed for the edgebander. The recut annotation in the label tells the operator what size to trim to after edgebanding.
Example:
Original panel: 300 x 95mm with edgebanding
Cutting list: 300 x 140mm (label: C101-Plinth [Recut W to 95mm])
After edgebanding: recut width from 140mm down to 95mm
The preflight report is generated before nesting and checks that every panel in the cutting list has a matching CNC program (MPR file) with the correct dimensions. The report contains these sections:
| Section | Meaning | Action needed |
|---|---|---|
| ALL OK | Every panel matched with correct sizes | None — safe to proceed |
| MISSING MPR | A panel in the cutting list has no corresponding MPR file | Investigate — panel will not be nested |
| SIZE MISMATCH | MPR dimensions don't match the cutting list and no processing rule explains it | Investigate — dimensions may be wrong |
| SLAB-UP PANELS | Expected +60mm expansion for slab-up bonding | None — expected difference |
| RECUT PANELS | Expected enlargement to meet edgebander minimum | None — recut after edgebanding |
| UNREFERENCED MPR | MPR files in the zip not matched to any cutting list panel | Usually harmless — extra files from CNC generation |
| BACKDRILLING | Panels that need machining on both faces | Ensure nesting machine supports panel flipping |
| END DRILLING | Panels with horizontal boring (edge drilling) | Ensure these panels are not rotated during nesting |