Warning

The current version of MillMage is a Release Candidate — a stable version of software that is nearly ready for official release, but in need of additional public testing. Please report any unexpected behavior in the MillMage Software Questions section of our forum, including screenshots and as much detail as possible. Ask hardware compatibility questions in the MillMage Hardware Compatibility section.

Users new to MillMage should follow the Getting Started guide.

Video: How to Use a Release Candidate

This video features our sister software, LightBurn. While there may be slight differences in appearance and layout, the demonstrated processes are similar in MillMage.

Warning

This documentation is in active development and in a prerelease state. These documents are not complete and may include missing pages, broken links, and placeholders. Content is being updated as feedback is reviewed. Your patience is appreciated.

Warning

Secure the material stock to the CNC machine by following the CNC manufacturer workholding guidelines.

FAILURE TO FOLLOW CNC MANUFACTURER WORKHOLDING RECOMMENDATIONS CAN LEAD TO DAMAGED PROPERTY, BODILY HARM, OR DEATH.

Verify that the material stock is properly secured by vigorously pushing and pulling against the workpiece in all directions.

View the Workholding Guide for examples.

Workholding When Cutting Through

Many projects involve not only marking the workpiece with a design but also cutting an object free from surrounding material. Add Tabs to your profile operations to prevent objects from coming free from the base material when cutting.

Tabs are small sections of cuts that the machine is commanded to skip, used to prevent objects from coming free from the base material during cutting.

Warning

Proper use of tabs is essential for preventing objects from flying out of your material at high speeds, resulting in damage to your project, machine, or self.

When sized appropriately, the tabs can be broken with minimal force and the objects removed from the material after the job is finished cutting. You may need to use a wood chisel to remove the tabs, or to sand down remnants of the tabs after removal.

You can create tabs manually using the Add Tabs tool, or MillMage can generate them automatically using the Tab Wizard found in the Operations Window.

Refer to Add Tabs for more details.

Warning

Secure the material stock to the CNC machine by following the CNC manufacturer workholding guidelines.

FAILURE TO FOLLOW CNC MANUFACTURER WORKHOLDING RECOMMENDATIONS CAN LEAD TO DAMAGED PROPERTY, BODILY HARM, OR DEATH.

Verify that the material stock is properly secured by vigorously pushing and pulling against the workpiece in all directions.

View the Workholding Guide for examples.

Other Workholding Methods¶

Screw Workpiece Down

Predrill several pilot holes away from the machining area. Secure with screws appropriate for the material stock.

Clamp Workpiece

Use metal, wood, or plastic clamps to secure the stock from the top-down and/or sides.

Adhere With Double-sided Tape

Cover the flat base of the material stock with double-sided tape to adhere it to the CNC work area.

Adhere With Masking Tape and CA Glue

Cover both the flat base of the material stock and the CNC work area with tape and use CA glue to stick them together.

Jigs and Fixtures

Use custom-made jigs and fixtures to secure stock and for rapid cycle time when machining on multiple objects within the same operation.

Tack Down With Machineable Brads

Use machineable brads to secure the stock to the wasteboard, without risking tooling should collisions ever occur.

Use Vacuum Table

Hold down flat stock and release the material at a flip of a switch or automatically through MillMage.

Secure Workpiece in Vise

Securely mount a vise to the CNC work area and use the vise jaws to hold the material stock.

Workholding Optimizations¶

Workholding When Cutting Through Workpiece

Add custom tabs to keep objects in place when cutting through material stock.

For more help using MillMage, please visit our forum to talk with MillMage staff and users, or email support.