File review and release record
Cut File Preflight Checklist
Record a manual CAD/CAM review before nesting or quoting: units, 1:1 scale, duplicates, open contours, layer intent, text, minimum features, and file revision. Export completed checks and unresolved holds with their evidence.
Content reviewed 2026-11-02. Verify the applicability of each source before using a value in a quote.
Input to record
Source file and drawing revisions, material/thickness, imported units and dimensions, path/layer review, supplier feature limits, and reviewer evidence.
Output to carry forward
A check-by-check status CSV: incomplete review, correction hold, or checks recorded for shop review. The accepted file can then supply nesting, cut-length, and event-count inputs.
Preflight review
Review the file in your CAD/CAM application and record the result here. This page does not inspect or repair an uploaded file. Every check needs evidence; “Not applicable” needs a reason. Inputs remain in this page only and clear on reload.
Incomplete review
0 checks need correction; 8 checks have no completed status/evidence. All file, material, drawing, and reviewer fields are required before the review is complete.
A completed checklist records your checks; it does not certify manufacturability, strength, or tolerances.
File-to-quote review
This manual checklist records checks performed in your CAD/CAM application. No file is uploaded, automatically parsed, repaired, or certified here. Keep unresolved checks on hold and preserve the reviewed export alongside the source drawing. Feature limits must come from the selected process/supplier for the exact material and thickness.
After shop review, use the accepted file to obtain actual part dimensions, quantities, cut length, and pierce-event counts. Carry those inputs into nesting/material utilization, cycle time, and the laser-cutting quote. Keep the preflight CSV with that same file revision.
Sources and scope
Content reviewed 2026-11-02. A documentation reference supports the stated method or data only; it does not approve settings on another machine.
- SendCutSend: 10 Common Reasons Your Design Is Failing Preflight
Too Much Information: 1:1 flat patterns; Bad File Exports: duplicate/intersecting paths and segmented curves; Geometry Too Small: material/thickness-specific features; Loose Interior Shapes; Special Service Setup. Supplier-specific limits and nesting rules are not generalized.
- LightBurn 2.1: Delete Duplicates
Identifies ungrouped objects identical in size, shape, and position; duplicates can produce extra Line-mode passes. This is not a complete overlap detector.
- LightBurn 2.1: Open vs. Closed Shapes
Explains open/closed geometry, operation-dependent closure needs, and intentional line operations. No software closure tolerance is reused as a manufacturing tolerance.
- LightBurn 2.1: Cuts / Layers Window
Layers define operations/settings; use Preview to verify intended output layers. Color conventions are not universal across CAM.
- LightBurn 2.1: Convert to Path
Text conversion separates letters into path shapes and removes text-editing attributes. Preserve an editable source and review the converted geometry.
Showing 8 of 8 rows
| Check | Action | Evidence to record | Hold / correction | Source / section | Applicability | Confidence | Reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Units and scale | Confirm imported units and compare at least one known overall dimension to the drawing at 1:1 | Record file units, expected dimension, measured dimension, and drawing revision | Hold if units/scale cannot be confirmed; changing the unit label alone is not a verified resize | SendCutSend: Too Much Information (1:1 inch/mm flat-pattern guidance) | Shop file review; SendCutSend conventions are not every shop’s import settings | Source-supported check; dimensions must be verified in your CAM | 2026-11-02 |
| Duplicate and intersecting paths | Inspect coincident paths and intersections; remove only verified duplicates, then recheck geometry and preview | Record duplicate count/action and compare preview cut paths before/after | Hold for unresolved intersections or uncertain intentional overlaps | SendCutSend: Bad File Exports; LightBurn: Delete Duplicates | LightBurn duplicate tool only detects ungrouped identical size/shape/position; other CAM differs | Documented export/tool behavior; operator review required | 2026-11-02 |
| Open and closed contours | Find open paths; decide whether each is an intended line operation or a broken closed-cut contour | Record endpoints/gaps corrected and retained open paths with intended operation | Do not auto-close intentional score/etch lines or alter dimensions without review | LightBurn: Open vs. Closed Shapes; SendCutSend: Special Service Setup | Closed-shape requirements are operation/software-specific; no universal closure tolerance supplied | Source-supported behavior; shop must approve intended geometry | 2026-11-02 |
| Layers and process intent | Map cut, mark, bend, and construction geometry explicitly; preview output so non-production lines are excluded | Record layer → operation mapping and enabled output | Hold if a color/layer name is the only unconfirmed process instruction | LightBurn: Cuts / Layers Window; SendCutSend: Too Much Information | LightBurn output controls are software-specific; use your CAM’s equivalent mapping | Documented layer behavior; no universal color standard | 2026-11-02 |
| Text and retained islands | Check whether text must remain editable or be exported as paths; compare spelling and shapes after conversion; review loose interior islands | Record outline/font decision and bridges or separate-part intent | Do not bridge, remove, or merge customer features without approval | LightBurn: Convert to Path; SendCutSend: Loose Interior Shapes | LightBurn path conversion makes letters discrete shapes and removes text editability; preserve the editable source | Documented behavior; retention decisions need drawing approval | 2026-11-02 |
| Minimum features | Check smallest hole/slot, bridge, and hole-to-edge distance against the selected supplier/process record for that exact material and thickness | Record measured feature, applicable source/revision, and acceptance decision | Hold if the source is missing or a feature fails; cut capability is not proof of strength or dimensional compliance | SendCutSend: Geometry Too Small | Supplier material/thickness-specific minima; no universal ratio or tolerance is asserted | Source-supported categories; actual limits must be supplied | 2026-11-02 |
| Flat pattern and curves | Check top-down flat geometry and inspect unexpected segmentation, nodes, or distorted arcs after export | Record flat-pattern revision, export method, and curve/preview check | Hold if perspective or export changes the part geometry; return to source CAD where possible | SendCutSend: Perspective Drawings and Bad File Exports | 2D cut-file preparation; bend development must use the applicable fabricator’s requirements | Source-supported export check; no automatic geometry repair | 2026-11-02 |
| Quantity and release | Match part IDs, quantities, material/thickness, and drawing revision; save the reviewed file before nesting or quoting | Record reviewer/date, cut length/count source, and accepted revision | Hold unresolved checks; distinguish single-part files from shop-approved nests | LaserCalc Pro release record; SendCutSend: Pre-Nested Files explains its own supplier policy | Your shop’s nesting/file policy controls; SendCutSend’s single-part upload rules are not universal | Procedural review; not an automated DXF validation | 2026-11-02 |
Reference workflow
- Match the job, material, machine head, and quality requirement to a row.
- Confirm the source, review date, and confidence before copying the value into a quote worksheet.
- Use a measured result or current OEM record when the row is marked as required or unverified.