Words you will meet
- Workholding
- Keeping material securely in place for the operation.
- Job zero
- The reference point used for this job’s coordinates.
- Fixture
- A device that locates or holds a particular part.
Holding is part of the design
Workholding means securing the material against cutting forces. Choose the maker’s approved method for the material and job: suitable clamps, a fixture or another specified system. A piece that feels secure by hand may still move under a cutter. Plan how every part remains held, including after an outline separates it.
Draw the clamps and fasteners into your setup plan. Leave room for the cutter, motor body and dust shoe—the cover around the cutting area that captures dust. A clear tip path does not prove the wider equipment will miss a clamp.
Home and job zero do different jobs
Homing establishes the machine’s reference position according to its controller. Job zero tells it where your particular design starts on this particular piece. They are related but not interchangeable. The chosen X, Y and Z reference must match the cutting software.
Use the machine’s approved probing or manual method. A probe is a device for measuring a reference position. Enter its correct thickness or dimensions when the system requires them, and remove it and its lead as instructed before the job. Tool changes may require a new height measurement or the maker’s automatic procedure.
Check the full movement area
Check travel limits and the height used when moving between cuts. Material that is bowed, inadequately supported or too small for the holding method needs a different plan. Keep the first project on a larger blank and avoid cutting its outside free while you learn.
Your practice task
Draw the physical setup
- On paper, place the blank, clamps and the planned pocket.
- Mark the same origin used in software and the areas the tool and dust shoe need to clear.
- With an instructor and the machine manual, rehearse the approved setup sequence before cutting.
Keep a record: A setup sketch, origin location, holding method and tool-height procedure.
A mistake worth avoiding
Homing the machine and assuming that the job’s starting point is now correct.
Check your understanding: The bit clears a clamp. Is the whole machine clear?
Check the motor, dust shoe, holder and all travel movements too. The cutting tip is only one part of the moving equipment.
05 / Project notes
Notes for your next project
Check off the topics you have reviewed and record anything useful for your next build. This tracks your learning progress; use your equipment’s setup procedure for machine checks.
Record: A setup sketch, origin location, holding method and tool-height procedure.
No notes recorded. Use this space for your observations.
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Check each topic above to mark the lesson as reviewed. You can browse any lesson at any time.
Sources and next reading
Read the instructions for your exact model. Linked manufacturer examples explain particular systems; their settings and procedures are not universal. Sources checked October 17, 2026.