Abstract: A procedure and a device for determining yield of usable pieces from a raw material when or before the usable pieces are produced. Determination of the area of raw material is automated, and pieces of raw material are encoded with a marking indicating the area and other pertinent information. The use of proximity sensors in combination with cutting dies permits the automation of yield calculation. The results of the yield calculation can be viewed on a real time basis and provide feedback to the production process, preventing low-yield production and facilitating balanced production of pieces. Indicators permit an operator to be signaled to increase production of underproduced pieces.