Overview
Computer-controlled mills and routers cut metal, wood, and plastics from STEP/STL/DXF with tolerances.
Quick facts
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Best for
- Subtractive · precision
- Typical output
- Metal plates, Wooden inlays, Machined enclosures
- Typical cost
- Desktop CNC $500–$5,000; shop VMC much higher
Excellent for
- Aluminum fixtures★★★★★
- Wooden furniture parts★★★★★
- Engraved metal tags★★★★★
Compatible with
Production
Machines
Pros & cons
Pros
- ✔Aluminum fixtures
- ✔Wooden furniture parts
- ✔Engraved metal tags
Creator & maker guides
Equipment
- CNC router / mill
Materials
- Aluminum
- Hardwood
- HDPE
- Acrylic
- Brass (with appropriate tooling)
Machine settings
No items yet.
Quality control
No items yet.
Best practices
- 1Prefer STEP for machined parts with holes and fits.
- 2Call out critical dimensions and tolerances explicitly.
- 3Design for standard end mill sizes (3mm, 6mm, etc.).
Common mistakes
STL tessellation too coarse for machined finish
STL tessellation too coarse for machined finish
Missing tolerances on mating parts
Missing tolerances on mating parts
Tool access impossible on deep pockets
Tool access impossible on deep pockets
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| STL tessellation too coarse for machined finish | See guides below for context | Review creator/maker tabs and troubleshooting table |
| Missing tolerances on mating parts | See guides below for context | Review creator/maker tabs and troubleshooting table |
| Tool access impossible on deep pockets | See guides below for context | Review creator/maker tabs and troubleshooting table |
Helpful tools
DPI & resolution calculator
SoonImage size calculator
SoonBleed generator
SoonAspect ratio calculator
SoonHeat press time & temperature
SoonSublimation wrap calculator
Soon