CNC MILLING USE CASES

Meet our Makers and discover the applications of CNC milling machines in various domains. We share their inspiring stories to show how digital manufacturing changed their business or their craft.

Bowties milled in wood by a CNC milling machine

Carving & Fine Woodworking

Cargo bike furniture milled with a CNC router

Prototyping & Small Productions  

Making branded signs with a CNC milling machine

Branding & Sign Making   

Craftsman using a CNC milling machine

Wooden Toys & Custom Projects  

MF BELGIUM
Wooden Bowties & Accessories
Wooden bow ties

Story & Experience

Previously a creator of lighting units and restorer of vintage furniture. Michel Fawe has recently turned to digital manufacturing for his new project: MF Belgium.

"I started training myself in 2D drawing on another software, but until recently I had no experience in CAD design and even less in machining... I used to make my creations with regular carpentry tools."

Learning Curve

"It took me one day to assemble my Mekanika Evo-L and prepare my workshop to get started. The learning curve was quite fast. I went straight from GS8 2D to Fusion360 by following Mekanika’s video tutorials."

"From there, I designed a support with a vacuum pump to hold the bowties that I manufacture, and I read the online articles on how to program end mills and feed rates. I finally gave myself a few days of trial and error on the material before I felt completely comfortable."

Now

"When I was working by hand, I had to use a dust mask and make several passes with different abrasives to finish my parts. A bowtie used to take me 6 to 8 minutes to make, while now it only takes 1m52 and the dust is directly collected by the machine dust shoe. I only have to do light sanding and my roundings are of a consistency that is impossible to match by hand."

"Basically, my production time has been divided by 4! Not to mention the time that I save by not having to clean the dust in my workspace."

"In addition, I realize that the use of a CNC machine opens up a whole new set of possibilities; bowties with 3D textures for instance. Whether it's for bowties, Christmas decorations, or personalized cutting boards, the only limit is your imagination."