Just so you understand why I suggest using CAD software...

Some CAD/CAM software have utilities for figuring out the maximum yield
from a given size of material stock for given component size envelopes.
These can even be mixed size envelopes, yield different parts from the
same material stock. For example, a 4 x 8 sheet of aluminum would be
plotted to yield n pieces of part#a and n pieces of part#b, or any
number of other pieces so as to effect minimum waste of material stock.

The most typical usage would be EDM or plasma/flame cutting apps,
followed by CNC part programming software.

--
Garry

Free usenet access at http://www.eternal-september.org
ClassicVB Users Regroup! comp.lang.basic.visual.misc