Soft Jaw Generator — Automated CNC Workholding & Fixturing
Makistry's soft jaw generator creates custom soft jaws for any part straight from a STEP file. Upload a part and get machine-ready custom soft jaws, vise fixturing, and toolpaths in seconds — automating CNC workholding and machining setup so you spend less time on manual fixture design.
What is a soft jaw, and why automate it?
A soft jaw is a machinable vise jaw, usually aluminum, cut to match the contour of a specific part so it grips securely and repeatably during CNC machining. Custom soft jaws hold irregular, organic, or already-finished parts that standard hard jaws cannot. Designing them by hand is slow; Makistry turns it into manufacturing automation by generating the soft jaws, workholding, and toolpaths from your CAD file.
How the soft jaw generator works
- Upload your STEP (.step/.stp) file — no CAD cleanup required.
- Automated workholding analysis finds a grippable orientation and designs the soft jaws with the right pocket, stock, and clearances.
- Review the generated soft jaws and clamping setup in an interactive 3D viewer; tune grip, stock, and orientation.
- Export machine-ready soft jaw geometry and toolpaths, cut the jaws, and clamp your part.
Built for CNC workholding and fixturing
- Custom soft jaws contoured to your exact part, including irregular and finished surfaces.
- Automated CNC workholding — skip the manual fixture-design loop.
- From STEP file to soft jaw geometry and ready-to-cut toolpaths in one workflow.
- Repeatable, secure clamping for rigid setups across a production run.
- Targets standard vises and 3- and 5-axis workholding.
- Free to try; sign-in only required to export.
Who uses automated soft jaw generation
- CNC milling shops automating soft jaw and fixture design.
- Job shops fixturing low-volume and one-off parts fast.
- Manufacturing teams standardizing repeatable workholding.
- Engineers clamping finished or irregular parts for second operations.
- Production cells reducing manual machining setup time.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a soft jaw?
- A soft jaw is a machinable vise jaw — usually aluminum — cut to match the contour of a specific part so it grips securely and repeatably during CNC machining. Custom soft jaws hold irregular or finished parts that standard hard jaws cannot.
- How does the Makistry soft jaw generator work?
- Upload a STEP file of your part. Makistry analyzes the geometry, picks a grippable orientation, and automatically generates machine-ready soft jaws with the correct pocket, stock, and clearances. You review the 3D plan and export toolpaths.
- Does this automate CNC workholding and fixturing?
- Yes. The generator automates the fixture-design step of machining setup — choosing how to clamp the part, modeling the soft jaws, and producing toolpaths — so you spend less time on manual workholding design.
- What file formats are supported?
- STEP (.step / .stp) CAD files are supported for soft jaw and workholding generation.
- Is it free to try?
- Yes — you can generate and inspect soft jaws without an account. Sign-in is only required to export.