Dos & Don'ts of Workspace Setups

Do:

• Use a solid, stable surface to work on 
• Use a spoilboard
• Use double-sided tape, especially beneath areas on your workpiece that will be cut out entirely from the worksurface
• Use clamps
• Use sufficient ShaperTape. Use strips that are at least 18" long, and placed no more than four inches apart from one another. Read more about how to create a good tape array here.
• Travel over your entire design with Origin prior to cutting to ensure that sufficient tape is visible at all times. Keep in mind that if you cut through ShaperTape, it will no longer be readable to Origin

Don't:

• Use jigs that are not firmly clamped to a workbench or other stable surface
• Set up your workspace beneath lighting that is liable to change substantially (i.e. outdoors with passing shadows) or with low-quality LED lighting. You can see more information about problematic workspace lighting here
• Place ShaperTape on multiple surfaces that are not coplanar with one another. A fuller discussion of common taping mistakes can be found here
• Begin cutting a design before you have a clear and deliberate cut plan

There are many tips and tricks on making good workspaces in the Origin Pro Tips Shaper Session: