An operation template is a ready-made CNC operation from the firm's library, applied to a part in a single choice: the operation fields are filled with preset values. The template library is kept at the production site and tied to its tooling, so each firm has its own set.
Where to open
The templates window opens from the part card when adding a CNC operation (the «Template» item). The «All templates» modal opens, with a category tree and template cards.
The «All templates» window
On the left is the category tree, in the center are the cards of the selected category. Until a category is chosen, the hint «Select a category from the list on the left» is shown. The header shows which part the templates are chosen for: its number, name and dimensions. There is a search by template name and a part-drawing view. For glass parts a separate tree opens — it keeps only «Corner processing», «Side processing» and «Plane processing» (drilling, worktops and the quarter are not offered for glass).
Template categories
The tree consists of six sections:
- Drilling — groups of holes for hardware;
- Worktops — corner rounding, connector, lock of a worktop;
- Corner processing — corner rounding, cut, notch;
- Side processing — recessed handles, cut-outs and arcs along a side;
- Plane processing — a circle and a recessed handle;
- Quarter grooving — quarter and quarter along a contour (the «Grooves and groove templates» section).
How to apply
Choose a category, then a template from the cards — the template form opens with its fields. Fill the fields and press «Add». How the form works — in the article «Template form: how to fill it in».
Why templates
A template has preset sizes and a link to the firm's tooling, so applying it is faster and more reliable than entering an operation by hand: fewer fields and less risk of error. If there is no suitable template, the operation can be built manually in the relevant sections («Drilling», «Grooves and groove templates», «Advanced milling»).
The minimum part size
A template may carry a minimum part size. It is shown right on the card in the catalogue — “Min. size: 300×100 mm” — before you apply the template at all.
- The comparison uses the overall dimensions, not the sawing ones. Which side is which does not matter: the larger dimension is checked against the larger threshold and the smaller against the smaller.
- A part with edge banding has its own separate threshold — a “with edging” note appears next to the numbers. A part counts as banded when at least one side carries a band.
- The thresholds are set by the production site: a branch may have its own values, otherwise the template’s common ones apply.
- A template the part does not fit is dimmed and cannot be picked, and the card says exactly what is missing.
- A part without dimensions passes no template that has a threshold set. A template with no threshold at all lets any part through — there is nothing to limit.
This is the same threshold the project check uses later. Previously the limit only surfaced after the template had been applied, and it was unclear why it “did not work”.