Input variables
| Variable | Meaning | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| t | Target finished tab width or measured sheet thickness | mm |
| k | Full kerf width | mm |
| c | Total clearance | mm |
Equations
Drawn internal slot width · mm
slot = max(0,t+c-k)
Drawn external tab width · mm
tab = t+k
Path offset magnitude · mm
offset = k/2
Notation
PI means π. ** means a power, sqrt means square root, and abs gives the absolute value. Trigonometric functions use radians. min and max select the smallest or largest argument.
ceil rounds upward, floor rounds downward, and round rounds to the nearest integer with halves toward positive infinity. roundup(value, step) rounds upward to the next multiple of the step; a zero step leaves the value unchanged.
Assumptions
- A centerline cut removes half the kerf on each side. An internal opening grows by one full kerf; an external tab shrinks by one kerf.
- Clearance here is total width clearance, not clearance per side. A 0.10 mm total clearance means 0.05 mm on each side when centered.
- If your laser software already applies kerf compensation, use the target finished size there instead of compensating twice.
- Test a small comb on the same sheet, grain direction, lens setting and cut speed before committing the full sheet.
Precision and verification
The tool uses ordinary double-precision numeric arithmetic. Output is displayed to at most four decimal places; measurement precision is usually much lower. Check the worked examples, your project’s specifications, and a real sample before committing material.