Finished Size to Saw-Cut Size: Edge Banding Deductions

STEP 01

Choose one dimension basis

Finished dimensions describe the outside rectangle after edging and flush trimming. Saw dimensions describe the blank leaving the saw, before any edge pre-milling or edging. The planner accepts either basis, but every row uses the same basis. If a supplier gives you a blank-size schedule, select “Saw blanks already sized.” When you switch the basis, the planner converts the inputs and preserves the modeled physical part. It does not silently treat the same number as a different measurement.

STEP 02

Keep the four edges tied to the drawing

Length runs left to right on the face diagram. The left and right edge thicknesses therefore change overall length. Top and bottom thicknesses change overall width. Top and bottom strips run along length; left and right strips run along width. Mark the reference face and grain arrow on the physical panel as well as the job drawing. A rectangular part can look identical after a quarter turn while its banding map is wrong.

STEP 03

Calculate the saw blank

For each axis, saw size = finished size − added edging thicknesses + planned pre-milling removals. Pre-milling applies only to edges selected for banding in this tool. With no pre-milling, a 720 × 400 mm door banded on all four edges with 2 mm tape starts as a 716 × 396 mm blank. The rectangle after edging returns to 720 × 400 mm. A 600 × 300 mm shelf with only its top edge banded in 1 mm tape starts as 600 × 299 mm. The front strip changes width, not length.

STEP 04

Keep pre-milling separate from tape thickness

Suppose the same door is pre-milled by 0.5 mm on each banded edge. Its saw blank is 717 × 397 mm. Removing 0.5 mm from both ends of each axis leaves 716 × 396 mm before the 2 mm edging is added. Pre-milling is material removed from the substrate; it is not the blade kerf, a finishing tolerance, or a number to add to the tape thickness. Enter zero when the chosen process has no pre-milling.

STEP 05

Measure the effective addition

The geometry uses your entered effective added thickness. Calibrate it against a representative finished test piece made with the intended substrate, tape, adhesive and trimming process. Nominal product thickness alone does not establish the final addition at your machine. Record the measured difference, confirm both axes, and check the opening or fit against the project drawing. Do not apply a second edging deduction after sending the saw blanks to a sheet-layout tool.

STEP 06

Release the correct list

Download the cut list with both saw and finished columns, plus the four edge codes. The sheet-planning action transfers only saw blanks and retains material, measured panel thickness, quantity and grain locks. Keep the source edge map at the bench because a rectangular nesting layout cannot represent which edge gets which tape. Kerf separates blanks in the sheet layout; it does not increase the size of an individual blank. If the deduction leaves no usable substrate, revise the design or process rather than cutting from that row.

Put it into the part list

Use the planner to keep your saw sizes, finished sizes, selected edges and tape allowances together. Start with the editable sample or enter your own approved dimensions.