diff --git a/core/src/net/sf/openrocket/gui/plot/Util.java b/core/src/net/sf/openrocket/gui/plot/Util.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..81003aae4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/src/net/sf/openrocket/gui/plot/Util.java
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+package net.sf.openrocket.gui.plot;
+
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.Collections;
+import java.util.List;
+
+import net.sf.openrocket.document.Simulation;
+
+public abstract class Util {
+
+	public static List<String> generateSeriesLabels( Simulation simulation ) {
+		int size = simulation.getSimulatedData().getBranchCount();
+		ArrayList<String> stages = new ArrayList<String>(size);
+		// we need to generate unique strings for each of the branches.  Since the branch names are based
+		// on the stage name there is no guarantee they are unique.  In order to address this, we first assume
+		// all the names are unique, then go through them looking for duplicates.
+		for (int i = 0; i < simulation.getSimulatedData().getBranchCount(); i++) {
+			stages.add(simulation.getSimulatedData().getBranch(i).getBranchName());
+		}
+		// check for duplicates:
+		for( int i = 0; i< stages.size(); i++ ) {
+			String stagename = stages.get(i);
+			int numberDuplicates = Collections.frequency(stages, stagename);
+			if ( numberDuplicates > 1 ) {
+				int index = i;
+				int count = 1;
+				while( count <= numberDuplicates ) {
+					stages.set(index, stagename + "(" + count + ")" );
+					count ++;
+					for( index++; index < stages.size() && !stagename.equals(stages.get(index)); index++ );
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		return stages;
+	}
+}