How does the VCarve Pro & Aspire double-sided machining setup work: job setup, flip direction, registration, and the dowel pin method?

Job Setup

In the Job Setup form, choose Double Sided as the Job Type.

Flip Direction Between Sides is a critical setting:

• Flip Horizontal (most common): the material rotates left to right like closing a book. The software mirrors the geometry horizontally.
• Flip Vertical: the material rotates top to bottom. The software mirrors the geometry vertically.

The software uses this choice to manage the alignment of the geometry for each side. The wrong flip direction means the top and bottom designs do not line up.

Z Zero Position: indicates whether the tool tip is zeroed off the material surface or off the machine bed. Pick the one that matches how you will zero the machine, and use the same reference for both sides.

Zero off same side: this option lets Z Zero reference the same physical location regardless of whether the material has been flipped.

Working with Both Sides

• Press 1 for the Top side active, 2 for the Bottom side
• Rulers turn orange when the Bottom side is active, as a visual reminder
• The Toolpath List shows only the toolpaths for the active side
• The Preview All Sides button simulates both sides together in one 3D view

Saving Toolpaths

1. Make Top active (press 1), then Save Toolpaths and name the file "Top"
2. Make Bottom active (press 2), then Save Toolpaths and name the file "Bottom"

At the machine, run the Top file first, then flip the material and run the Bottom file.

Registration Methods

These are common shop methods for lining up the two sides. The software does not require any one of them, so test your method on scrap.

Dowel pins (a common method):

1. Draw 2 to 3 alignment circles (for example, 6 mm or 1/4") placed asymmetrically
2. Add drilling or profile toolpaths for these holes on the Top side
3. Drill the holes through the material and into the spoilboard
4. Remove the material and insert short dowel pins into the spoilboard holes
5. Flip the material and lower it onto the pins so it seats in the same XY position

Use asymmetrical placement so the board can only be placed one way.

Jig / fence method:

Screw scrap wood guides to the spoilboard. Friction-fit the material against the guides, flip it and re-seat it in the same jig. No holes are needed. Many users prefer this for repeated production runs.

Center datum method:

Set the XY datum to the center of the job and zero to the material center. After flipping, find and re-zero to the center again. This is more prone to error.

Critical Alignment Rules

• The material must be exactly the dimensions entered in the job. A 0.01" error is doubled when flipping.
• Never re-home or re-zero XY between the Top and Bottom cuts.
• A corner datum with no pins is a high alignment risk; use a jig or dowels for precision work.