Methods for manufacturing oversized parts in compact cnc machines

A non-transient computer readable medium for machining a workpiece secured by a fixturing device with a computer numerical control (CNC) machining apparatus, the non-transient computer readable medium comprising:

• computer code for securing a workpiece in a known position with the fixturing device so that a first portion of the workpiece is disposed within a working area of the CNC machining apparatus;
• computer code for machining a first feature into the first portion of the workpiece;
• computer code for shifting the workpiece to another position in which a second portion of the workpiece is disposed within the working area, wherein the second portion includes the first feature;
• computer code for securing the workpiece in the other position with the fixturing device;
• computer code for measuring a position of the first feature;
• and
• computer code for determining the other position and the orientation of the workpiece using a datum defined by the fixturing device and the measured position of the first feature.

A method of machining a workpiece, the method comprising:

• machining a first feature into a workpiece at a precise location;
• shifting a position of the workpiece;
• measuring a position of the first machined feature;
• and
• machining a second feature into the workpiece, a position at which the second feature is machined determined at least in part by the measured position of the first machined feature.