Carvera Exercises → Maple Organizer

Check off as you go. All exercises use scrap/practice stock.

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1 Machine Basics MDF

Face a used board

Z-zero on uneven stock, stepover, surface speed

Cut a rectangular pocket (50×80mm, 5mm deep)

Basic CAD→CAM→G-code workflow, pocket clearing

Profile cut a simple shape with tabs

Contour toolpath, tab placement, part separation

Drill array (grid of holes, 2 depths)

Drilling cycle, depth control, positioning accuracy

Gate: You can go from sketch → G-code → finished part with no surprises.

2 Feeds & Speeds MDF

Speed test: same pocket at 3 different feed rates

Learn what too slow / right / too fast looks and sounds like

DOC test: same pocket at 3 depths of cut

Find Carvera's limits on MDF before risking hardwood

Gate: You have a feeds/speeds baseline written down for MDF.

3 Wood Grain Poplar

Face poplar board

Grain tearout behavior, climb vs conventional on real wood

Pocket + profile in poplar

See how grain direction affects wall quality

Feeds/speeds adjustment from MDF baseline

Hardwood needs different parameters than MDF — find them

Gate: You can cut clean pockets and profiles in hardwood with no tearout.

4 Organizer Prototype MDF → Poplar

Design organizer in CAD (Fusion 360)

Nail dimensions before cutting anything

CAM toolpaths for organizer

Tool selection, operation order, fixture strategy

Cut organizer in MDF

Validate toolpaths on cheap stock, check fit/dimensions

Cut organizer in poplar

Final dress rehearsal in hardwood before maple

Gate: Poplar organizer meets dimensions and finish quality. Ready for maple.

5 Production Hard Maple

First maple organizer

Unit #1 of 50