CNC Milling
WOOD, FOAM
Submit CNC files to archdigifab@gmail.com and click HERE to book a consultation
STARTING FALL 2025, WE WILL DEDUCT FUNDS FROM YOUR ACCOUNT BEFORE WE START YOUR CNC MILL. PLEASE ADD FUNDS TO YOUR ACCOUNT VIA USC CARD SERVICES AS SOON AS YOU RECEIVE AND APPROVE THE QUOTE.
PREPERATION
MATERIAL
Plywood, MDF, Lumber XPS or Polyurethane foam
TIMELINE
FRIDAY
Deadline to submit CNC files & requests for following week
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
File Programming
TUESDAY
Milling
WEDNESDAY
Milling
THURSDAY
Milling
FRIDAY:
Deadline to submit CNC files and requests for the following week. If you do not submit your file by Friday, it will not be looked at until the following Friday.
FRIDAY:
We will look at your files and address any concerns or issues.
MONDAY:
Programming of files
TUESDAY-THURSDAY:
We will mill your files
*Priority will be given to student projects-- all personal projects will be milled, subject to availability*
DIMENSIONS
Max dimension of stock material is 4’ x 8’ x 4” height. You cannot mill deeper than 4".
CUTTING GUINELINES
1" THICK WALL
Maximum milling depth is 4". Actual milling depth depends on part geometry and the length and diameter of the end mill.
When milling a vertical wall feature, maintain a minimum wall thickness of 1.0 inch to ensure adequate strength and manufacturability.
3/16" FLOOR THICKNESS
If not milling all the way through the stock material, the minimum thickness of the floor must be 3/16"
0.51" WALL CLEARANCE
Maintain a minimum of 0.51" between parts and 1.00" from the edge of the material.
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
NO undercuts
They will not be recognized by the software
​3D Toolpaths: Use a ball nose end mill to machine curved surfaces, resulting in a rounded (scalloped) edge.
Fix Internal Corners
You cannot do sharp internal corners. Please model in dog bones
Extend Pockets
There will be a roundover for pockets. Please extend the pocket length unless you want to chisel material
CHECKLIST
FILE
Place object in DefaultCNCFile.3dm at 0,0,0
DIMENSIONS
Max dimension of 4’ x 8’ x 4” height.
WALLS
No vertical walls less than 1” on 3D milling.
You must have a 0.51" separation between geometries
You must have a 0.51" clearance from all edges of the stock material
If milling a "wall" in the stock material, the wall feature needs to be at a minimum of 1" thick
If not milling all the way through the stock material, the minimum thickness of the floor must be 3/16"
NO undercuts
If you have internal corners, model in dog bones
CORRECTLY LABELING YOUR LAYERS
Place surface for 3d milling on “surfaces to mill” layer.
Place curves for contour cuts on “contour cut” layer.
Place curves for pockets on “pocket” layer.
Place points for drilling on “points” layer.
Create outline of the material in “material” layer.
Ensure every process (pocket, contour) is a CLOSED curve on a SEPARATE layer
SAVE
Save .3dm file as FirstnameLastname_Class#_Ver#.
SUBMIT FILE
Submit file via email to archdigifab@gmail.com. Specify:
​material type
size
process (2D/3D Milling)
Whether you want your objects pin nailed or tabbed
Double-check stock
When laying out a file, consider the grain direction of the wood and if there are any knots-- these will affect the results
CONFIRMATION
Expect an email response, reply with approval of price, and add funds to USC Card Services account. $25 / hour.
If milling MDF, Plywood, or any large stock, please be considerate of weight and ensure you're available to assist in loading material onto the milling bed
PICK UP
Pick up model from metal rack outside the CNC shed (MBC / shop courtyard). Dispose of any off-cuts. General turnaround time of one week.
Important Terminology
NO mesh submissions-- use "ToNURBS" command in Rhino to change meshes into polysurfaces
TOOLPATHS
Pocket
Removes material inside a closed shape to a specified depth.
Profile
Cuts along the inside or outside of a shape to define its final size.
Roughing
Removes large amounts of material quickly before a finishing pass.
3D Milling
Machines curved surfaces using a ball nose end mill, creating smooth contours and rounded edges.
CUTTING TOOLS
End Mill
A flat-bottom cutting tool used for most 2D machining operations.
Ball Nose End Mill
A rounded-tip cutting tool used for 3D toolpaths and curved surfaces.
MACHINING TERMS
Stock
The raw material being machined.
Work Zero (X/Y/Z Zero)
The reference point from which the CNC machine measures all tool movement.
Kerf
The width of material removed by the cutting tool.
Stepover
The distance between adjacent toolpaths. Smaller stepovers produce smoother surfaces but increase machining time.
Stepdown
The depth of material removed during each cutting pass.
Tabs
Small pieces of material intentionally left to hold a part in place until machining is complete.
MATERIALS
MDF
A smooth engineered wood commonly used for prototypes and painted parts.
Plywood
A sheet material made from layers of wood veneer bonded together for strength and stability.