Tips and Tricks for Making Multi-Sided CNC Projects

In this article, we discuss a more challenging type of project for when CNC Milling Machine like the Carvera and Carvera Air Desktop CNCs by Makera. But while making a multi-sided design does add complexity to the project, Makera CAM and the Carvera and Carvera Air CNCs offer a range of tools to help make this process far simpler and with greater levels of success.

A multi-sided metal project being machined using the Carvera Desktop CNC

Overview — Different Approaches to Making a Multi-Sided Project

We're going to compare a few different methods for making multi-sided projects in this article in great detail, but first let's overview the key topics before we dive in.

• 4th Axis Module — A 4th axis, like the one available for the Carvera or Carvera Air, can be used to rotate your stock material during the machining process.
• Alignment Pins — Alignment pins can pass through your design or stock to easily align the part when creating two-sided projects.
• The Manual XYZ Probe — Included with both the Carvera and Carvera Air, the Manual XYZ probe can be used to find the position of a part when rotating it across multiple sides.
• Scan Margin for Manual Alignment — The Scan Margin feature allows you to easily see where your design will be placed, which can be used to manually align your stock.

Each of these options has pros and cons to consider depending on the project you're looking to create, so let's take a closer look to determine which best fits your needs.

4th Axis Module

The Carvera Air's 4th Axis module cutting a part made from brass

A 4th Axis is an optional accessory for the Carvera and Carvera Air that can simply bolt to the bed of the CNC. This module can then be used to rotate the stock material during machining, allowing your CNC to create cuts on multiple sides of the stock.

This method works very well when creating geometrically complex models, or 3D reliefs. But the 4th axis may not be the best approach if you're looking to create a simpler two-sided project, or a project that is primarily flat. This is because toolpath generation for 4-axis machining is inherently more complex than when creating a 3-axis part, and because this type of machining process is also far slower than 3-axis machining as well.

Alignment Pins

Flipping and aligning a part using alignment pins on the Carvera

Alignment Pins is one of the simplest methods to implement when creating a 3-axis multi-sided project. To do this, you can utilize existing holes in your design if possible, or create holes on either side of your design in the left-over stock margin. You need at least two holes for alignment pins in order to flip your material and keep it square to the design.

Makera CAM makes it easy to draw holes for alignment pins for your design, as well as to create a second Work Coordinate System (WCS) so that you can machine on multiple sides of the stock. But while this method is simple and easy to implement, it also really only works well for 2-sided projects.

The Manual XYZ Probe

Using the Manual XYZ Probe to align stock in a vise on the Carvera Air

The Manual XYZ Probe is an accessory included with both the Carvera and Carvera Air. Unlike the Auto Z-Probe, the Manual XYZ probe will find the X, Y, and Z positions of the stock as well as measure its height. This allows you to accurately place a design file relative to the stock position, regardless of where the stock is placed on your CNC's bed.

This method is especially effective when working with square stock, and when securing your stock in a fixture or vise. Unlike alignment pins, the Manual XYZ Probe is also an effective alignment method for creating three or more sided projects.

Scan Margin for Manual Alignment

Aligning a piece of material using the Carvera Air's Scan Margin Feature

The Z-Probe for both the Carvera and Carvera Air has a built-in Scan Margin feature that will shine a red laser dot on the bed of your CNC to mark its position. This feature can be used to show the set position of your design file, which in turn can be used to align the file to a piece of material.

To do this, you need to know the exact size of your design, and where you want the design to be placed on the different sides of your stock. First, mark the stock by drawing the position of the design on each side. You can then clamp the stock to the bed of your CNC, and use the Scan Margin feature to align the design file with the markings you created. After machining one side, flip the stock and repeat for the other sides of your design.

This method is another simple one, but also one with greater room for human error as much of the calibration and positioning now relies on you to get it just right.

Conclusion

There are lot's of reasons why you might want to make a multi-sided project with your CNC. From two-sided PCBs, gears for an RC car, or even jewelry. But there isn't one method that works well for every possible project scenario. Fortunately, the versatility of the Carvera and Carvera Air allows you to adapt to any circumstance in order to find success with your designs.

Check out a tutorial video on how to create multi-sided projects for more information on the official Makera YouTube Channel.