Fixture Tabs for CNC Machining

Plastic, composite, and wood materials cut on our CNC machine will have small fixture tabs on all parts.

We use these small tabs to hold your parts in place while being cut to ensure the best accuracy possible.

Read below to learn what to expect and how to best design with these tabs in mind.

What to expect from CNC router tabs

Fixturing tabs are necessary to ensure your parts remain stable during the CNC machining process. We’ve designed the tabs to be as small as possible for easy removal and finishing.

Fixture tabs are designed to be approximately half the depth of your selected material. Although we remove the majority of the tab before shipping, additional sanding or finishing may be necessary.

CNC router tabs in different materials and thicknesses

Plastics: ABS, some thicknesses of Delrin, HDPE, Polycarbonate, UHMW

Composites: ACM

Wood: Baltic Birch Plywood, some thicknesses of MDF

SendCutSend Default Tab Specifications

We will create a small tab that is approximately .1875″ wide, with a depth that is half the material thickness.

Tabs will automatically be placed based on part geometry to ensure the quality of your part. (Keep in mind that the minimum part size for our CNC router is 1”x2″.)

The tabs will not affect your final design, but your parts may require further finishing to remove them completely.

Ready, set, get tabbing

If you have any further questions, reach out to our support team anytime.

See our CNC Machining Guidelines page for more information on designing your plastic and composite parts.

We proudly use hardware by PEM

Flush stud, M8 x 1.25, .472" Zinc plus Clear Chromate

Aluminum: 5052, 6061, 7075 Steel: Mild

SKUFH-M8-12
Thread SizeM8 x 1.25
Hole size in sheet (+0.003/-.0.000).315″
Minimum sheet thickness0.94″
Maximum sheet thickness.347″
Fastener materialSteel
Minimum distance hole C/L to edge0.378″
When determining the distance between two or more fasteners, you can calculate the distance by the formula, C/L to edge + 1/2 the diameter of the second mounting hole..567″
Recommended panel materialSteel/Aluminum
Coating typeZinc
Length.472″
Aluminum material ranges (5052, 6061, 7075)0.100″-0.250″
Steel material ranges (CRS, HRPO, HR)0.104″-0.250″

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We proudly use hardware by PEM

Flush Standoff, 4-40, .250" Zinc plus Clear Chromate

Aluminum: 5052, 6061, 7075 Steel: Mild, G30

SKUSO-440-8
Thread Size4-40 x .250″
Hole size in sheet (+0.003/-.0.000).168″
Minimum sheet thickness0.040″
Maximum sheet thickness.125″
Fastener materialSteel
Minimum distance hole C/L to edge0.230″
When determining the distance between two or more fasteners, you can calculate the distance by the formula, C/L to edge + 1/2 the diameter of the second mounting hole..345″
Recommended panel materialSteel/Aluminum
Coating typeZinc
Length.250″
Aluminum material ranges (5052, 6061, 7075)0.040″-0.125″
Steel material ranges (CRS, HRPO, HR)0.048″-0.119″

We proudly use hardware by PEM

Flush Standoff, 4-40, .250" Passivated

Stainless Steel: 304, 316

SKUSO4-440-8
Thread Size440
Hole size in sheet (+0.003/-.0.000).166″
Minimum sheet thickness0.04″
Maximum sheet thickness.125″
Fastener material400 Stainless Steel
Minimum distance hole C/L to edge0.230″
When determining the distance between two or more fasteners, you can calculate the distance by the formula, C/L to edge + 1/2 the diameter of the second mounting hole. Example shown with x2 of the same hardware..345″
Recommended panel materialStainless Steel
Coating typePassivated
Length.250″
304 Stainless Steel material ranges0.048″-0.125″
316 Stainless Steel material ranges0.060″-0.125″