# Stage II: Engineering

Register the machine, document the production process, and release the project for purchasing and production.

Source: https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/start-here/quickstart/engineering/
Updated: 2026-10-29

**Role:** CNC Programmer / Process Engineer   
**Prerequisites:** Stage I complete — product populated and tool assembly library built  
**Hands off to:** Warehouse Manager / Inventory Controller ([Stage III](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/start-here/quickstart/inventory/))

## Demo part

<figure>

![Tap guide block](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/guides/demo_part.webp)

<figcaption>Fig. 1: Tap guide block</figcaption>
</figure>

The part we will machine in this demo project is a Tap Guide Block — simple enough to program by hand or with CAM software. It starts from a solid rectangular blank in two setups: the first machines the top face (face milling, shoulder milling, and drilling holes from 3.5 mm to 11 mm), the second — from the opposite direction — adds a slot, a shoulder, and a chamfer. To keep small-batch production efficient, we combine both into one project using the multiple-setup strategy.

<figure>

![Multiple setup machining](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/guides/demo_part_setup.webp)

<figcaption>Fig. 2: Project setup illustration with multiple setups strategy</figcaption>
</figure>

You can download the [STEP model](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/sample/tap_guide_block.stp) and the drawing ([PDF](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/sample/tap_guide_block_drawing.pdf) / [DXF](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/sample/tap_guide_block_drawing.dxf)).

## Workflow

1. [Create the machine](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/production/tutorials/create-machine/) and set up its tool interfaces.
2. Document the process with either your **CAM software** or the **Process Designer**.
   - Use the [ToolingMetrics CAM Connect](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/integrations/cam-connect/) plugin to connect your CAM software to your tool library in Tooling Metrics. When finished, export all CAM data into a Tooling Metrics project. Download the starter CAM file and follow the tutorial for your CAM software.   
     <table>
       <thead>
       <tr>
         <th>CAM software</th>
         <th>Starter file</th>
       </tr>
     </thead>
       <tbody>
         <tr>
           <td><a href="https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/engineering/tutorials/cam-autodesk-fusion/">Autodesk Fusion</a></td>
           <td><a href="https://a360.co/3Y8xAI6">Download</a></td>
         </tr>
       </tbody>
     </table>

   - [Use the Process Designer](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/engineering/tutorials/process-designer/) to enter the setups and operations manually.
3. [Release and Approve](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/engineering/tutorials/project-release-approval/) the project, which locks the project for editing and sends all tooling data to the other teams.

## Outcome

The project is approved and its tool assemblies are released; every product in them is used to create inventory Items, most at zero on-hand. The Inventory Controller can start [Stage III](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/start-here/quickstart/inventory/).