Designing for CNC machining? Here are the key specs, tips, and best practices to help you get the most out of your material and our machine.

Material Types & Behavior

Composites (e.g., MDF, plywood, laminate panels)

  • Stable and consistent, great for accurate cuts

  • Can produce edge chipping on lower-quality or laminated boards

  • Watch out for voids or filler material inside plywood cores

Plastics (e.g., acrylic, HDPE, Delrin, polycarbonate)

  • Clean finishes with minimal tooling marks when cut properly

  • Melting or burring may occur if feed rates and tooling aren’t optimized

  • Best to avoid sharp internal corners—rounded corners extend part life

Wood (e.g., hardwoods, softwoods, veneer plywood)

  • Natural grain can cause uneven cuts or splintering

  • Best for lower-speed, high-quality passes

  • May require sanding or post-processing depending on the finish desired

Design Specifications

  • Minimum Part Size: 1” x 2”

  • Maximum Part Size: 120” x 60”

  • Minimum Inside Radius: 0.125" (⅛") due to tooling diameter

  • Cut Style: 2D profiles with perpendicular cuts (no bevels or 3D contours)

Best Practices for CNC Design

1. Use Fillets for Internal Corners

  • Sharp inside corners are not possible—use ⅛" radius fillets or more

  • Round corners reduce tool wear and stress points in your part

2. Avoid Thin or Fragile Features

  • Thin bridges, sharp spikes, or tiny holes can break during machining

  • Keep walls and thin features no thinner than 0.25" for best strength

3. Add Holding Tabs

  • Tabs are needed to secure your part during machining—design for clean tab placement in areas that are easy to sand or trim off later

4. Consider Grain Direction (Wood Only)

  • For structural parts, design with grain strength in mind

  • Avoid running long, thin pieces parallel to the grain—they can snap easily

5. Keep It Simple

  • Simple, clean geometry always cuts faster, cleaner, and more affordably

  • Avoid overly intricate shapes unless necessary—we can advise on what’s practical

Designing Your File

  • Use vector formats: .AI, .DXF, .SVG, .EPS, or .PDF (outlined)

  • Design at actual size

  • Use color or layers to indicate cut vs. engrave (if applicable)

  • Convert all text to outlines/paths

HAVE YOU READ OUR FILE PREP GUIDELINES?

If you have questions, don’t hesitate to

reach out, we’re here to help make it easy.