HOW-TO

See https://github.com/faberc/snapmaker-artisan-repeatable-origin for the most up to date guide on how to use this tool to create a repeatable origin for use with Fusion360 CAM. What follows below are just development notes.

I created a simple buzzer for this which I’ve tested and it seems to work well with the CNC probe I’m using: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7305460

Development Notes

Initial Notes

This is based off of some ideas from https://forum.snapmaker.com/t/cnc-repeatable-origin-guide/23596

The idea is, I want a particular point I can zero the work origin to so that each time I add a new piece of stock, and/or change tools, I can zero it on that same spot and let the work just continue because the stock will be a located at a particular relative X, Y, and Z offset from this work origin point.

I have to admit I haven’t done much with the CNC on the Snapmaker Artisan because this whole process of CAM and finding a repeatable proper work origin has been daunting to me, so I aim to use this fixture and document a clear process on how to set up CAM in Fusion 360 so that tool changes and job set-ups are less confusing.

The rails are a set width so this gives a particular X and Y offset from the point of zero-ing to the inner corner of the rails. Furthermore, this fixture has a housing for a Z-offset probe, which will be something like this: https://a.co/d/00zYvFYx which can be used either with a multi-meter as in the Snapmaker Forum post, or possibly some other noise maker to help dial in the Z-axis.

(Update: I have solidified the workflow which you can see in the github link in the 3/14/2026 update)

The possible work flow (which I haven’t solidified yet) is to import the component (hence attaching the F3D file), model the stock and joint it to the fixture appropriately, and put the design within the modeled stock (giving it a little space from the rails so you don’t chew into them). Then when setting up manufacturing, set the WCS origin to the Z point (it’s an explicit point in the design), and set up the rest of the job as usual. You can probably also accomplish something similar without importing the design by just using the known X/Y/Z offsets which are printed on the probe housing.

Then when actually setting up the stock on the machine bed, you seat the stock fully against the rails, and jog the tip of the tool to the point where the probe beeps and set the work origin there. From there you can run the piece, and if it’s a single tool job, you can repeat the job several times without having to set work origin each time. If it’s a multi-tool job, then between processes, you just need to set the Z axis work origin using the probe again, which will account for any changes to the tool height during changes, and then continue with the next processing step.

Almost everything here is parameterized to fit the particular probe housing you have and the XY, and Z offsets you want. This is designed to be attached with M4 bolts at the (50,50) coordinate point on the Artisan spoil board but I’m sure you can mess around with different attachment points to maximize the amount of bed space if you use a different spoil board on top.

Once I figure out how to repeatably use this, I will attempt to make a video documenting the process as clearly as possible. For now this is still very much a WIP.

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Updates

3/7/2026 Update:
Refined the probe housing a bit so you can just slide it in and out. I changed it a bit so it should “pop” in and out but I haven’t tested that functionality yet. Also broke it up into smaller pieces that connect with dovetails, so one can use just the corner or extend the arms out.

I also am slowly iterating towards a Fusion 360 methodology for usage of this. The first test crashed into the rails because it doesn’t first move out the way from the work origin and just immediately starts the tool and moves to the first cut. I realized I needed to edit the post-processor code, so I will upload that once I complete my tests as well.

3/14/2026 Update:
I figured out a bit of the methodology and did some testing. The first test had the cutting head running into the rail itself which was fun. Realized this needs a custom post-processor that first moves the head to the clearance height specified in Fusion before then moving over the stock and running the part. I’ve created a GitHub repo with the post-processor script, and a full how-to with images and other helpful files at the link below:

https://github.com/faberc/snapmaker-artisan-repeatable-origin

Of note, while making this and visiting some other Thingiverse objects, I had some ideas on how to improve the XY alignment which currently is just done by eye. I’ll update the methodology and models for that later once I solidify that, but for right now, the current method gives good results.