My tray procedure

Gallery
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I thought I would share my procedure for making trays. I make 4 different sizes, and have work coordinates set for each size in my Fusion 360 setup. I have matching work coordinates setup in CNCjs and 4 dowel holes in my wasteboard for each size.This pic is with the dowels in place.

dowels
dowels.jpg4032×3024 2.79 MB

I start off by cutting my stock to size (X,Y) and putting grooves in the side for clamps. Then I face this side and put in the matching dowel holes. This is done with a “moving” work coordinate “G54”

1st%20op-clamped
1st op-clamped.jpg4032×3024 3.64 MB

1st%20op%20with%20dowel%20holes
1st op with dowel holes.jpg4032×3024 3.52 MB

The dowel holes are press fit size. I can flip this over and hammer the stock down onto the dowels. Now I mill out the legs and handles. Leaving enough stock to hold the piece together really well, about 3/8"+.
Matching dowel holes are put in this side also for the final flip. At this point, I can put the piece to the side and wait on the customer to give me a custom order for the top.

2nd%20op%20complete
2nd op complete.jpg4032×3024 3.28 MB
2nd%20op%20material%20left
2nd op material left.jpg4032×3024 3.16 MB

Once I know what the customer wants, I can hammer the piece back onto my wasteboard and finish it up.
3rd%20op%20tabbed
3rd op tabbed.jpg2851×2138 2.31 MB
bottom
bottom.jpg4032×3024 3.26 MB
top
top.jpg4032×3024 3.46 MB

I hope this may give some of you some ideas, and maybe give me some ideas.
Happy machining!!!

10 Likes
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Thanks for sharing your process, it looks very efficient and great for prepping a product then just chucking them in to personalize and finish them once the orders come through.

It looks like you leave 1/8" on the outside then cut all the way through leaving tabs on the final profile cut, is that how you do it?

1 Like
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Yes. The final cut is an outside contour from the top side. I do leave tabs on this final cut.