Tutorial Advanced ⏱ 30 minutes

Complete Workflow: Drawing to CNC

The complete XyzPilot workflow from reading a drawing to generating a verified CNC program — covering every step from geometry creation to CAM output.

What You Will Build

A complete worked example: a 100×80mm mounting plate with filleted corners, central bore, and 4 bolt holes — from drawing to verified CNC program.

Operators Used

Rectangle/TL,BR Arc/Fillet,L,L Circle/Centre,R Points/On,C,N Trim/L,to,A

Step 1 — Read the Drawing

Before touching XyzPilot, read the complete drawing and identify all geometry.

Drawing specification:
  Plate: 100×80mm
  Corner fillets: R=10mm
  Central bore: 30mm diameter
  Bolt holes: 4 × M8 clearance (8.5mm dia)
  Bolt pattern: 70×50mm centred on plate
  Material: Aluminium 6082
  Depth: 10mm (through)

Geometry types:
  Rectangle → Rectangle/TL,BR
  Fillets → Arc/Fillet,L,L + Trim
  Bore → Circle/Centre,R
  Bolt holes → Circle/Centre,R × 4

Step 2 — Log In and Start XyzPilot

Access XyzPilot through your browser.

Open Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome
Navigate to your XyzPilot URL
Enter username and password
Click Log In
New project opens automatically

Workspace is ready for geometry creation.

Step 3 — Create the Plate Outline

Create the rectangular plate outline.

Rectangle/P_TL=(0,80), P_BR=(100,0)
→ L0: bottom, L1: right, L2: top, L3: left

Verify with Measure → Entity Info:
  L0: from (0,0) to (100,0), length=100mm ✓
  L2: from (100,80) to (0,80), length=100mm ✓

Step 4 — Add Corner Fillets

Create all four fillet arcs, then trim all corners.

Arc/Fillet, L3, L0, R=10  → A0
Arc/Fillet, L0, L1, R=10  → A1
Arc/Fillet, L1, L2, R=10  → A2
Arc/Fillet, L2, L3, R=10  → A3

Trim all 8 corners (see Tutorial 1 for full sequence)

Verify: Measure → Entity Info on A0
  radius: 10.000mm ✓
  centre: (10,10) ✓

Step 5 — Create the Central Bore

Create the 30mm diameter central bore.

P_centre = (50, 40)  [plate centre]

Circle/Centre, P_centre, R=15, 0
→ C0: central bore, diameter=30mm

Verify: Measure → Radius/Diameter on C0
  Diameter: 30.000mm ✓
  Centre: (50,40) ✓

Step 6 — Create the Bolt Holes

Place 4 M8 clearance holes on the 70×50mm bolt pattern.

Bolt pattern corners (centred at 50,40):
  P0 = (50-35, 40-25) = (15, 15)  [bottom-left]
  P1 = (50+35, 40-25) = (85, 15)  [bottom-right]
  P2 = (50+35, 40+25) = (85, 65)  [top-right]
  P3 = (50-35, 40+25) = (15, 65)  [top-left]

Circle/Centre, P0, R=4.25, 0  → C1
Circle/Centre, P1, R=4.25, 0  → C2
Circle/Centre, P2, R=4.25, 0  → C3
Circle/Centre, P3, R=4.25, 0  → C4

All holes: 8.5mm diameter (M8 clearance)

Step 7 — Verify All Geometry

Use Measure tools to verify every critical dimension before CAM setup.

Measure → Distance: plate width
  Click L0 start, Click L0 end → 100mm ✓

Measure → Distance: plate height
  Click L1 start, Click L1 end → 80mm ✓

Measure → Radius/Diameter: bore
  Click C0 → diameter 30mm ✓

Measure → Distance: bolt pattern
  Click C1 centre, Click C2 centre → 70mm ✓
  Click C1 centre, Click C3 centre → 50mm ✓

All dimensions verified ✓

Step 8 — Set Up CAM Toolpaths

Define the machining operations in the CAM module.

Operation 1: Outer profile (contour)
  Profile: outer boundary (rectangle + fillets)
  Tool: 10mm end mill
  Depth: 10mm (through)
  Direction: climb milling

Operation 2: Central bore (pocket/bore)
  Profile: C0 (30mm circle)
  Tool: 8mm end mill or boring bar
  Depth: 10mm (through)

Operation 3: Bolt holes (drilling)
  Profiles: C1, C2, C3, C4
  Tool: 8.5mm drill
  Depth: 10mm (through)

Step 9 — Simulate and Verify

Run the Toolpath Simulator to verify all toolpaths before machining.

Open Toolpath Simulator

Verify:
  Outer contour: cutter follows profile correctly ✓
  No gouging of fillets ✓
  Bore: cutter spirals inward correctly ✓
  Bolt holes: drill positions correct ✓
  No collisions between operations ✓

If any issues found: return to CAM setup and correct.

Never skip simulation. A 30-second simulation can prevent a scrapped component and a damaged cutter.

Step 10 — Generate and Verify CNC Program

Generate the CNC program and perform a final check before machining.

Generate CNC program → G-code output

Final checks before machining:
  ✓ Verify work offset (G54/G55) is set correctly
  ✓ Confirm tool lengths are measured and entered
  ✓ Check workpiece is clamped securely
  ✓ Verify coolant is available
  ✓ Perform a dry run (no cutting) at reduced feed
  ✓ Machine first component at 50% feed rate
  ✓ Measure first component before full production

Status: READY TO MACHINE

The operator remains responsible for the final accuracy and safety of all machined components. Always verify the first component before full production.

Tips & Best Practices

Read the complete drawing before starting — identify all geometry types first.
Create geometry in order: outer profile → internal features → holes.
Verify every critical dimension with Measure tools before CAM setup.
Never skip the Toolpath Simulator — it takes 30 seconds and can save hours.
Always machine a first-off component at reduced feed rate and measure before production.

Operators Used in This Tutorial

Rectangle/TL,BR

Complete Workflow: Drawing to CNC

Step 1 — Read the Drawing

Step 2 — Log In and Start XyzPilot

Step 3 — Create the Plate Outline

Step 4 — Add Corner Fillets

Step 5 — Create the Central Bore

Step 6 — Create the Bolt Holes

Step 7 — Verify All Geometry

Step 8 — Set Up CAM Toolpaths

Step 9 — Simulate and Verify

Step 10 — Generate and Verify CNC Program

Tips & Best Practices

Operators Used in This Tutorial

Rectangle

Fillet Arc

Circle by Centre and Radius

Trim Line to Arc

Related Tutorials

Rectangle with Filleted Corners

Bolt-Hole Pattern

Pocket Machining Geometry