That was interesting. Thanks for sharing Cody

I would like to find a way to use a digital pattern but I have not figured how it would save time or money for a small shop. I get it if you are pumping out lots of cutting where you and have an employee just cutting the same pattern vs a cnc cutter.
There’s also autometrix’s cadshot where you just use an android phone or tablet to take a pic and it does the rest.

Yeah this would be handy if you did production runs, and I have thought about it for some seats. You’d almost have to have a scanner of some sort, but I think it could save some time once you get use to running the program

I draw seat inserts and such in CAD and make a chipboard template for each part on the laser. It's much faster than drawing by hand. Really works well for flat sections. The rest, I do the old fashioned way to make the pattern. If I'm doing a lot of the same seat, I'll digitize the pattern and cut chipboard templates on the laser. It's a great way to work.

@Steven M I use to have solidworks but no longer do. But I have been making some chipboard patterns by hand for audi seats. Holding theyll come in handy.

Posted these photos in another thread as well.. Sample panel to get the idea across.

Seams:


All of the parts:


With seam allowance:


Split out to show the three pattern pieces:



Patterns cut out of chipboard on the laser:


Finished part:

@Steven:
What laser machine are you using?

I’d like to know
Which laser machine you use as well please.

I think a few shops are running Boss laser.
https://www.bosslaser.com/

the laseris a great tool I use mine for tons of fab patterns on consoles and door panels . Usually use abs and use it to rout out parts. Also I cut my material on repeat bomber seats. Even engrave patterns on the material.