{"id":103,"date":"2023-12-14T22:10:46","date_gmt":"2023-12-14T22:10:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/?page_id=103"},"modified":"2026-02-17T14:52:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T14:52:22","slug":"cnc-machines-and-project-submission","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/materials-lab\/cnc-machines-and-project-submission\/","title":{"rendered":"CNC Machines and Project Submission"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n<div class=\"has-custombg-one-background-color wp-block-ncst-big-fact\">\n  <div class=\"big-fact__container\">\n    <h2 class=\"big-fact__heading\">Materials Lab CNC &#8211; Down to one CNC currently.<\/h2>\n    <p class=\"big-fact__support\">the 5&#8217;x10&#8242; CNC is down for repairs. Queue response time may be impacted.<\/p>\n    \n\n\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Techno CNC<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"226\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2023\/12\/image.png\" alt=\"Techno CNC\n\" class=\"wp-image-104\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Important Notes:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>TL;DR &#8211; Please use the submission form <a href=\"https:\/\/go.ncsu.edu\/cnc_project_submission\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here <\/a>to submit your project. <strong>REMEMBER &#8211; <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">the CNC queue is a first-come first-serve basis.<\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>All users must have completed Shop Safety Orientation, as there is almost always pre &amp; post-processing that must be completed by the student after machining your project.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The CoD CNC Routers should <em>only<\/em> be used for projects for a class work, research projects, or facilities\/operations projects.&nbsp;<\/strong><em>For personal projects, consider using the <a href=\"https:\/\/crafts.arts.ncsu.edu\/learn\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NCSU Craft Center.<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Lampe CNCs are currently only for <em>foam <\/em>materials at this time.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-ncst-blockquote\">\n    <p>UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD EITHER THE LEAZAR, NOR THE LAMPE CNC ROUTERS, BE USED IN SUPPORT OF COMMERCIAL WORK (FOR PROFIT). USE OF SCHOOL RESOURCES FOR COMMERCIAL\/FOR PROFIT PURPOSES WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF SHOP PRIVILEGES!<\/p>\n  <\/blockquote>\n\n\n<div class=\"is-text wp-block-ncst-buttons\">\n    \n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-button\">\n      <a\n        class=\"ncst-block__button-link btn\"\n        href=\"https:\/\/policies.ncsu.edu\/regulation\/reg-01-25-03\/\"\n        data-ncst-lightbox=\"false\"\n         target=\"_blank\"          rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"       >\n                  <span class=\"text\">See NCSU Policy Reg 01.25.03, Section 2.6<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n              <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  \n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"has-custombg-nine-background-color wp-block-ncst-button-spotlight\">\n    <div class=\"button-spotlight__container\">\n          <div class=\"button-spotlight__icon-container ncst-icon\">\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<path d=\"M6.18422 0V1.99031H4.19391V3.98438H2.20312V24H17.8158V22.0083H19.8075V20.018H21.7969V0H6.18422ZM16.8548 23.0391H3.16266V4.94531H4.19391V22.0083H16.8548V23.0391ZM18.8466 21.0469H5.15625V2.95312H6.1875V20.018H18.8466V21.0469ZM20.8373 19.0566H7.14516V0.960938H20.8373V19.0566Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M18.9554 3.04172H8.90723V3.80344H18.9554V3.04172Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M18.9554 7.48593H8.90723V8.24765H18.9554V7.48593Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M18.9554 5.24391H8.90723V6.00563H18.9554V5.24391Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M18.9554 9.68813H8.90723V10.4498H18.9554V9.68813Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M18.9554 11.9297H8.90723V12.6914H18.9554V11.9297Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M18.9554 14.1319H8.90723V14.8936H18.9554V14.1319Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M13.9913 16.3744H8.90674V17.1352H13.9913V16.3744Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<\/svg>\n\n      <\/div>\n        <div class='button-spotlight__content-container'>\n      <h2 class=\"button-spotlight__heading\">Review Policies Here<\/h2>\n              <p class=\"button-spotlight__support\">Click here to read more about shop policies regarding use of College resources<\/p>\n            \n<div class=\"is-style-secondary wp-block-ncst-button\">\n      <a\n        class=\"ncst-block__button-link btn\"\n        href=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/6807\/policies\/\"\n        data-ncst-lightbox=\"false\"\n                      >\n                  <span class=\"text\">Read more<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n              <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  \n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Process Constraints When Designing Your Project<\/strong>:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>***MINIMUM CUTTER SIZE IS 1\/8 INCH***<\/strong> \n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>this means this is the smallest path\/crevice that can be cut between your material-anything smaller, you may have to cut further details out by hand.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maximum Bed size is 4\u2019 x 8\u2019&nbsp;, material cannot be larger than this.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Z depth max is 4 INCHES! Materials must be NO HIGHER than 4 inches tall or it will not be cut all the way thru. It also will not fit under CNC router gantry. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Allowable&nbsp;materials: <\/strong>wood\/engineered wood (wood glue-ups MUST BE DRY &#8211; 12 hour&nbsp;minimum&nbsp;dry time before milling), acrylic, polycarbonate, foam, cardboard\/chipboard\/paper products*,&nbsp;PVC.&nbsp;\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>*C<em>onsider using the laser cutter for faster turnaround with these product types.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Unallowable materials:&nbsp;<\/strong>metal, glass, cement, ceramics.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>For Site Models:<\/strong> when creating cut-outs for plug-in parts, consider that our cutters cannot make perfectly square inside corners, there will always be some remaining radius on the corners to address afterwards. (see picture- yellow represents what will remain). Also, consider making your site plug-in slightly smaller (i.e. a gap of 0.02) to allow for wiggle room for the site to slide in. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"210\" height=\"138\" src=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2023\/12\/image-1.png\" alt=\"remaining corner radius on inside corners of CNC Milling.\" class=\"wp-image-105\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The yellow shaded area represents the remaining corner radius on inside corners of CNC Milling. Students will have to carve\/sand out remaining radius if perfect square is needed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Software for Designing Your Model:<\/strong> Materials Lab Staff use Rhino to program your models for the CNC. We can accept the file types listed below in the image. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"338\" height=\"605\" src=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-26-092044.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-105012\" srcset=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-26-092044.png 338w, https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-26-092044-168x300.png 168w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 338px) 100vw, 338px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">File types that Rhino can accept for modeling. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Managing Expectations:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Machine times vary based on model size\/complexity. The more time you can allow for the project &#8211; the higher likelihood of acceptance in the queue. Staff do our best to manage the queue projects alongside our other job responsibilities. Please reference the chart below for rough guidelines on machining times based on model size\/complexity. Keep in mind, this chart is ONLY for the amount of machining time. It doesn&#8217;t include the programming\/prep time. Also remember, the machine does NOT run on nights or weekends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"624\" src=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-08-27-105031-1024x624.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-105011\" srcset=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-08-27-105031-1024x624.png 1024w, https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-08-27-105031-300x183.png 300w, https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-08-27-105031-768x468.png 768w, https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-08-27-105031.png 1111w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gluing Your Materials:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It is important when gluing your materials together to make thicker slabs (i.e. glue 2x 1&#8243; boards of MDF for a 2&#8243; total thickness), that you paint on the glue to cover every part of the material, not just run a few dots or snake like beads. Otherwise, parts of your model may break off during machining. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"543\" height=\"412\" src=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2023\/12\/image-2.png\" alt=\"glue up example\" class=\"wp-image-106\" srcset=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2023\/12\/image-2.png 543w, https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2023\/12\/image-2-300x228.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 543px) 100vw, 543px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Students should paint on glue in a solid sheet, not dots\/dabs when gluing materials for CNC stock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Joining the CNC Queue:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Currently, the technoCNC are run by Materials Lab Staff only (Rob Watson &amp; Heather Durand). Students are expected to have finalized project files that require minimal tweaking from staff. If after submitting your file, staff discover that it needs additional re-working, your file may be sent back to you and your place in the queue will be passed until a reasonable file is received.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li> <strong>REMEMBER staff cannot add you to the queue until material AND file are in hand.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Staff cannot help you learn software from scratch, nor can we design your project from scratch.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>CNC projects increase exponentially as the semester progresses. We will do our best to accommodate your requested date of need, but in general, <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">the CNC queue is a first-come first-serve basis.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>PLEASE ALLOW AS MUCH TIME AS POSSIBLE FOR YOUR PROJECT.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>PLEASE NOTE: we cannot guarantee that your project will be completed by the date you request. We will do our level best, but we only have one machine and if it breaks, repairs may take time.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>The CNC does not operate outside of normal business hours, as it unsafe to operate it unattended.<\/strong>&nbsp;<em><strong>Do not count weekends as time available to mill your projects when considering your deadlines!<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>We will communicate machine status and queue length upon review of your project for submission and let you know if deadline is <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">feasible <\/span>or not.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><mark class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Please use the submission form to submit your project, by clicking the button below.<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"is-text wp-block-ncst-buttons\">\n    \n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-button\">\n      <a\n        class=\"ncst-block__button-link btn\"\n        href=\"https:\/\/go.ncsu.edu\/cnc_project_submission\"\n        data-ncst-lightbox=\"false\"\n         target=\"_blank\"          rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"       >\n                  <span class=\"text\">Click here to SUBMIT a project on CNC<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n              <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  \n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"has-reynolds-400-background-color wp-block-ncst-big-fact\">\n  <div class=\"big-fact__container\">\n    <h2 class=\"big-fact__heading\">Need help\/have questions before submitting?<\/h2>\n    <p class=\"big-fact__support\">Book a CNC Design Consultation with Rob &amp; Heather<\/p>\n    \n<div class=\"is-text wp-block-ncst-buttons\">\n    \n<div class=\"is-style-secondary wp-block-ncst-button\">\n      <a\n        class=\"ncst-block__button-link btn\"\n        href=\"https:\/\/go.ncsu.edu\/cnc_design_consultation\"\n        data-ncst-lightbox=\"false\"\n         target=\"_blank\"          rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"       >\n                  <span class=\"text\">Book Consultation Here<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n              <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  \n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"has-gray-600-background-color wp-block-ncst-contact-section\">\n    <h4>Contact Us<\/h4>\n    <div class=\"contact-card-wrapper\">\n      \n\n<div class=\"contact-card-item wp-block-ncst-single-contact-card contact-card-item wp-block-ncst-single-contact-card\">\n    <div class=\"single-card-heading\">\n      <span class=\"ncst-icon\">\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<path d=\"M13.8553 17.9217V18.3604H10.191V17.9217H0.403076V19.4025H23.5968V17.9217H13.8553Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M19.1554 8.05268V8.05174V7.06549H9.28589V8.05174V8.05268V9.03893H19.1554V8.05268Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M7.80558 7.06549H4.84448V10.0266H7.80558V7.06549Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M19.1554 12.9872V12.9867V12H9.28589V12.9867V12.9872V13.9739H19.1554V12.9872Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M7.80558 11.5069H4.84448V14.468H7.80558V11.5069Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M21.6231 4.59747H2.37712L2.37524 17.4281H21.6231V4.59747ZM20.7001 16.5117H3.29868V5.51388H20.7001V16.5117Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<\/svg>\n\n      <\/span>\n      <h5>Email<\/h5>\n    <\/div>\n          <div class=\"single-card-content\">\n        <p>design_cnc_info@ncsu.edu<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"contact-card-item wp-block-ncst-single-contact-card contact-card-item wp-block-ncst-single-contact-card\">\n    <div class=\"single-card-heading\">\n      <span class=\"ncst-icon\">\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<path d=\"M16.0658 4.67438C15.2617 3.87022 14.2371 3.32259 13.1217 3.10072C12.0063 2.87886 10.8501 2.99273 9.79943 3.42794C8.74874 3.86315 7.85069 4.60015 7.21886 5.54574C6.58702 6.49134 6.24977 7.60306 6.24976 8.74032C6.24976 13.8188 11.8162 20.7788 11.8162 20.7788L12.0037 21.0103L12.1818 20.7788C12.1818 20.7788 17.7501 13.2094 17.7501 8.74032C17.7522 7.98488 17.6045 7.23653 17.3154 6.53859C17.0263 5.84066 16.6016 5.20702 16.0658 4.67438ZM14.2499 10.9903C13.7292 11.5109 13.0442 11.8348 12.3115 11.9069C11.5787 11.9789 10.8437 11.7947 10.2316 11.3856C9.61944 10.9765 9.16811 10.3678 8.95448 9.66319C8.74085 8.95861 8.77813 8.20175 9.05998 7.52157C9.34183 6.8414 9.8508 6.27999 10.5002 5.93301C11.1495 5.58604 11.8991 5.47496 12.6212 5.6187C13.3433 5.76245 13.9932 6.15212 14.4602 6.72133C14.9272 7.29054 15.1824 8.00406 15.1823 8.74032C15.1835 9.1584 15.1017 9.57255 14.9416 9.95879C14.7816 10.345 14.5465 10.6956 14.2499 10.9903Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<\/svg>\n\n      <\/span>\n      <h5>Location<\/h5>\n    <\/div>\n          <div class=\"single-card-content\">\n        <p>Materials Lab, 220 Leazar Hall<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n\n\n\n    <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Techno CNC Important Notes: TL;DR &#8211; Please use the submission form here to submit your project. REMEMBER &#8211; the CNC queue is a first-come first-serve basis. Process Constraints When Designing&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":391,"featured_media":0,"parent":30,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"source":"","ncst_custom_author":"","ncst_show_custom_author":false,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"ncst\/default-header","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"{\"pageIntro\":\"What does CNC stand for? <strong>CNC = Computer Numeric Control<\/strong>. College of Design offers multiple types of CNC machines as a service for students. Please read below to find out more information about our main machine - the Techno CNC in the materials lab - used for wood, mdf, and foam materials.\"}","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","ncst_content_audit_display":false,"ncst_backToTopFlag":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-103","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/103","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/391"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=103"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/103\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":133115,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/103\/revisions\/133115"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/30"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=103"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}