FRP cut list optimizer
Enter the piece lengths from your drawing and see how many stock bars of pultruded FRP profile to order, how to cut each bar, and how much ends up as offcut.
- Stock lengths
- 5.8 m · 6 m · 11.8 m · 12 m
- Units
- mm or inches
- Export
- CSV cut list
F1 standard length. Longer than a 20 ft container, so it ships in a 40 ft container.
A diamond or carbide blade on FRP typically removes about 3 mm (0.12 in). The end trim squares handling-damaged ends; enter 0 to use the factory-cut ends as they come.
No plan can use fewer bars: 21 is the lower bound for these pieces on this stock length.
- 9 bars · pattern 1offcut 31 mm
2400 mm + 2400 mm + 1150 mm
- 7 bars · pattern 2offcut 131 mm
2350 mm + 2350 mm + 1150 mm
- 3 bars · pattern 3offcut 25 mm
2350 mm + 900 mm + 900 mm + 900 mm + 900 mm
- 1 bar · pattern 4offcut 178 mm
2350 mm + 1150 mm + 1150 mm + 1150 mm
- 1 bar · pattern 5offcut 225 mm
1150 mm + 1150 mm + 1150 mm + 1150 mm + 1150 mm
| Stock | Bars | Ordered | Waste |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.8 mFits a 20 ft container (inside length about 5.90 m). | 23 | 133.4 m | 7.1% |
| 6 mF1 standard length. Longer than a 20 ft container, so it ships in a 40 ft container. | 21 | 126.0 m | 1.7% |
| 11.8 mUsual export length for a 40 ft container. | 11 | 129.8 m | 4.5% |
| 12 mLeaves about 30 mm in a 40 ft container (inside length about 12.03 m). | 11 | 132.0 m | 6.1% |
Pultrusion is continuous, so repeated pieces can also be cut to length in the factory: nothing is wasted on site and no offcuts are shipped. Ask for it with the quote when one length repeats in quantity.
Cut list as text
Cut list: 21 bars of 6000 mm, SHS 50×50×5 Kerf 3 mm, end trim 5 mm each end 9 × [2400 mm + 2400 mm + 1150 mm] offcut 31 mm 7 × [2350 mm + 2350 mm + 1150 mm] offcut 131 mm 3 × [2350 mm + 900 mm + 900 mm + 900 mm + 900 mm] offcut 25 mm 1 × [2350 mm + 1150 mm + 1150 mm + 1150 mm] offcut 178 mm 1 × [1150 mm + 1150 mm + 1150 mm + 1150 mm + 1150 mm] offcut 225 mm
Up to 2000 pieces and 60 different lengths per list.
Stock lengths and shipping
| Stock length | Feet | Shipping |
|---|---|---|
| 5.8 m | 19.0 ft | Fits a 20 ft container (inside length about 5.90 m). |
| 6 m | 19.7 ft | F1 standard length. Longer than a 20 ft container, so it ships in a 40 ft container. |
| 11.8 m | 38.7 ft | Usual export length for a 40 ft container. |
| 12 m | 39.4 ft | Leaves about 30 mm in a 40 ft container (inside length about 12.03 m). |
Check the section first with the FRP profile calculator or the span tables, and find a size in the profile finder. Container and incoterm questions are covered in the FOB to DDP export guide.
Frequently asked questions
How does the optimizer arrange the pieces?
It runs three packing methods and keeps the plan with the fewest bars: filling each bar as full as possible from the pieces still to cut, the same with the longest piece placed first on every bar, and best-fit decreasing. It also works out a lower bound from the total length of pieces and kerfs. When the plan reaches that bound, no arrangement can use fewer bars; otherwise the page says how many bars could at most be saved.
What saw kerf and end trim should I enter?
Enter the width of the blade you will cut with; carbide and diamond blades used on FRP usually remove about 2.5 to 3.5 mm. The end trim squares the ends of each bar where handling may have chipped them. Enter 0 to use the factory-cut ends as they arrive, or a few millimeters per end if the bars will be stored or moved on site first.
Which stock length should I order?
F1 standard profiles come in 6 m lengths, and other lengths can be made because pultrusion is continuous. The container matters: a 20 ft container is about 5.90 m long inside, so 6 m bars need a 40 ft container, and a 40 ft container is about 12.03 m long inside, so 11.8 m is the usual long export length. The table under the result compares the same pieces on each stock length.
Can the pieces be cut to length in the factory instead?
Yes, on request. Factory cutting removes site offcuts and the freight on them, and suits pieces that repeat in quantity, such as handrail posts, ladder rungs or cable tray supports. Send the cut list with the quote request and state the length tolerance the drawing needs.
What should be done with the cut ends?
Cut with carbide or diamond tooling, local dust extraction and suitable PPE, then deburr and seal the cut end with a compatible resin, especially for outdoor, wet or chemical service. Offcuts are FRP waste; check the local disposal route before the job starts.
Send the cut list with your RFQ
Send the profile, the cut list and the delivery address; we quote stock bars or factory-cut pieces. We reply within one business day.