Manufacturing

The Manufacturing window combines the calculated PCB operations into an ordered CNC job. Here you choose what will be machined, set the execution order, select the coordinate origin and validate the job before generating G-code.

1. Calculate the required operations

Only processes that have already been calculated appear in the Operations list. Prepare the required contouring, drilling, edge-cut, alignment-pin and other operations before building the final sequence.

Settings changed? Recalculate the affected process, then reopen or refresh the Manufacturing window so the Operations list contains the current result.

2. Build the manufacturing sequence

TraceFab Manufacturing window with calculated operations, an ordered sequence, job settings and validation summary — The Operations list is the source; the Sequence list is the ordered content of the G-code job.

Operations and Sequence

Operations: every calculated process available for the current PCB.
Add >: copies the selected operation into the Sequence list.
Up / Down: changes the machining order.
< Remove: removes a row from the Sequence without deleting the calculated source operation.

A duplicate row runs twice: the same source operation can be added more than once. Check the complete Sequence list for missing or duplicated operations before generating G-code.

3. Choose a safe machining order

Create alignment holes before loosening or flipping a double-sided PCB.
Plan all tool changes and any required Z-zero changes.
Complete contouring, drilling and similar work before releasing the PCB perimeter.
Place the final outer Edge Cut near the end of the sequence.

You can create separate NC programs for different stages or PCB sides. After generating one file, remove its rows from the Sequence and assemble the next file; the calculated Operations remain available.

4. Configure the job settings

Select the output folder and use a descriptive G-code filename.
Choose the Set World origin position.
Select the required G-code units.
Enable Mirror X only for sequence rows that require it.

TraceFab Manufacturing window with corner and workpiece-centre world-origin options — Select the same reference position that will be used as the physical CNC work zero.

The software origin and CNC work zero must match: choosing an origin in TraceFab transforms the generated XY coordinates, but does not set the physical offset on the CNC controller.

Units are written into the program: millimetres use G21 and inches use G20. Verify that the selected units match the intended machining setup.

5. Validate the sequence

Select Validate after the Sequence and job settings are complete. Review the Job Summary, including the lowest and highest Z, feed range, spindle range, XY bounds, board thickness and operation count.

TraceFab Manufacturing window showing the Validate button, job summary and validation status — Use the summary to detect unexpected dimensions, depths, speeds or missing operations.

Pre-generation checklist

All required operations are present exactly once unless repetition is intentional.
The sequence order matches the real machining and board-flip workflow.
The outer Edge Cut cannot release the board too early.
Mirror X is correct for every applicable row.
The origin, physical CNC zero, units and output location agree.
The Job Summary values are plausible for the PCB and machine.

Validation is not a safety guarantee: it can identify useful job conditions, but it cannot verify every clamp, fixture, work offset, tool, machine limit or collision risk. Complete a manual setup check and dry run.

6. Generate and inspect the G-code

Select Generate.
Choose the final .nc path and filename.
Confirm that TraceFab generated the operations in the displayed order.
Inspect the G-code before loading it into the CNC controller.

Always inspect before machining: verify the units, XY and Z positions, safe moves, feeds, spindle speeds, tool changes, mirroring and final edge cut. Run the program above the workpiece when the setup or output is new.

The CNC job is now ready for final machine-side checks. TraceFab writes the selected sequence and coordinate transforms into the generated G-code file; safe execution remains dependent on the physical machine setup.