--- title: "Manufacturing Routing for CNC Shops: Contents and Example" description: "Manufacturing routing for CNC shops: what it contains, a complete example on a turned part, and how to compare it with real shop-floor times." image: https://www.jitbase.com/hubfs/manufacturing-routing-cnc-shop.webp --- [+1 438 942-8501](tel:+1%20438%20942-8501) [Log In](https://app.jitbase.com/) - [English](https://www.jitbase.com/blog/manufacturing-routing-cnc-shop) - [Français](https://www.jitbase.com/fr/blog/gamme-de-fabrication-atelier-cnc) [![JITbase black logo](https://www.jitbase.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/jitbase-logo-black-horiz.webp?width=175&height=88&name=jitbase-logo-black-horiz.webp)](https://www.jitbase.com) - Solutions Back ##### [Machine Monitoring](https://www.jitbase.com/machine-monitoring) - ##### [Machine Monitoring](https://www.jitbase.com/machine-monitoring) Back - [Live Dashboard](https://www.jitbase.com/machine-monitoring) - [Track OEE](https://www.jitbase.com/machine-monitoring#Track-OEE) - 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[English](https://www.jitbase.com/blog/manufacturing-routing-cnc-shop) - [Français](https://www.jitbase.com/fr/blog/gamme-de-fabrication-atelier-cnc)   [Book a demo](https://www.jitbase.com/demo) [Connect Machines for Free](https://sso.jitbase.com/realms/webapp/protocol/openid-connect/registrations?client_id=website-registration&response_type=code&scope=openid&redirect_uri=https://admin.jitbase.com) ![Operator with safety glasses reading a manufacturing routing on a workbench in front of a CNC lathe: manufacturing routing with JITbase](https://www.jitbase.com/hubfs/manufacturing-routing-cnc-shop.webp) Blog [Production planning and scheduling](https://www.jitbase.com/blog/tag/production-planning-and-scheduling) # Manufacturing Routing for CNC Shops: Contents and Example [*written by* Judicael Deguenon on October 13, 2026](https://www.jitbase.com/blog/author/judicael-deguenon) A well-written **manufacturing routing** quickly changes daily life in a CNC shop. It tells the operator what to do, in which order, with which tool and which program. It is also the basis for quoting, and it lets you compare the planned time with the time actually spent on the machine. You will also hear it called a process routing: in most shops, it is the same document. Without a clear routing, cycle time gaps, forgotten inspections and setups done from memory end up costing a lot. This guide explains what a routing should contain and gives a complete example on a turned part. It then shows how to keep the routing close to what really happens on the shop floor. **In short:** - A good routing is more than a list of operations. It also states the machine, the tooling, the parameters, the inspections and the standard times. - The time calculated by the program is a good starting point, but it is almost always shorter than the real time. It does not count handling, inspection or waiting. - To start, test the routing on one representative part for one to two weeks, note the gaps, then correct the standard version before moving on to other parts. ## What is a manufacturing routing in a CNC shop? ### What a routing contains The manufacturing routing is the document that describes, in order, everything needed to produce a conforming part. For each operation, it gives the machine, the fixture, the tool, the CNC program, the useful settings and the inspections to perform. In practice, a routing usually contains: - the part number and the drawing revision; - the raw material and its starting dimensions; - the operations in order: sawing, turning, milling, drilling, deburring, inspection; - the planned machine: 2-axis lathe, 3-axis machining center or twin-spindle machine; - the tool number, the tool holder and the offsets; - the cutting parameters, such as *S* for spindle speed and *F* for feed rate; - the CNC program: the G-code file, or the CAM file number (CAM is the software used to program the part); - the estimated times, separated if possible into setup, machine cycle and operator work; - the quality inspections: the dimension to check, the measuring instrument and the frequency. The routing is the common reference between methods, production, quality and planning. It links the **cycle time** calculated in the office to the time actually observed at the machine. ### Routing, operation sheet and work instruction These terms overlap, and their use changes from one shop to another. The routing answers the question: “what is done in which order, on which machine, and in how much time?” The operation sheet is often the same sequence of operations, sometimes with more detail for each workstation. The work instruction goes further still: it explains how to perform the gesture or the handling for a given operation. A simple example: - the **routing** says: operation 30, Ø12 drilling on a vertical machining center, tool T08, program P1542, 100% inspection of the depth; - the **work instruction** explains how to clamp the part, which zero to pick up, which face to orient and in which order to inspect. Do not confuse the routing with the work order (WO). The work order launches the production of a given quantity of parts, with a date, a priority and a lot number. The instruction sheet can complete the set with pictures or quality notes. ## The essential elements of a routing for machined parts ### The sequence of operations A good routing starts with a clear sequence. Each operation has a number, an understandable name and a logical place in the part’s journey. The goal is not to write for the sake of writing: it is to avoid rework, parts clamped the wrong way round and questions at the machine. A solid base contains at least: - the item number, the drawing revision and the material; - the operation number (10, 20, 30…), which leaves room to add a step later; - what is done: facing, rough turning, grooving or an intermediate inspection; - the planned machine or cell; - the standard time of the operation; - the workstation the part comes from and the one it goes to, when it changes machine. This sequence also feeds quoting: a badly split operation often hides lost time. The link between the routing and the quote is detailed in the article on [quoting CNC machining jobs from standard times](https://www.jitbase.com/blog/cnc-machining-quote-standard-times). ### Tooling and machine settings A routing that does not mention tooling quickly ends up covered in pen notes, and those notes are almost never updated. So write down the information that avoids back and forth between the program, the tool crib and the operator’s workstation: - the tool number and its description; - the tool type: insert, carbide drill, side-and-face cutter, boring bar; - the holder or support; - the offsets to use; - the number of the program, the subprogram or the CAM file. ### Parameters, quality inspections and acceptance criteria The routing does not replace the drawing. It recalls what guides manufacturing and inspection. It is also where the **standard times** and the stability of the process are set. - Useful machine parameters: feed rate, speed, depth of cut, coolant. - Inspections during manufacturing, dimensions and surface finishes to watch. - Measuring instruments: caliper, micrometer, plug gauge, dial indicator, surface roughness tester. - Acceptance criteria, inspection frequency and the reaction in case of deviation. The most frequent omissions are the clamping and locating of the part and the position of the part zero. Others are the risk of distortion after roughing, and the deburring or washing to do before inspection. To review a routing, ask yourself four questions: - Can the part be launched without calling the process planner? - Do the times come from the CAM program or from a hand estimate? - Do the intermediate inspections come early enough to avoid a batch of scrap? - Are the variants of material or size clearly separated? ## Manufacturing routing example: a turned part ### The part Take a shouldered steel bushing, cut from a Ø60 mm bar (about 2.4 in), with a finished length of 42 mm (about 1.65 in). The face must be faced, the outside roughed, the diameter and the shoulder finished, a hole drilled in the center, the opposite face machined, then the part inspected. The goal is to produce a small batch consistently, without overloading the operator. ### The operation sheet (illustrative example) The times below are invented: they show the structure of a routing, not reference values. | No. | What is done, and on which workstation | Tool / program | Time | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 10 | Saw: cut the bar to 44 mm (2 mm of extra stock) | Bimetal blade | 0.5 min | | 20 | CNC lathe: load in the jaws, face side A | T01, program O2100 | 0.8 min | | 30 | CNC lathe: rough the outside diameter | T02, O2100 | 1.6 min | | 40 | CNC lathe: finish the diameter and the shoulder | T03, O2100 | 0.9 min | | 50 | CNC lathe: drill the center hole | T04, O2100 | 0.7 min | | 60 | CNC lathe: flip the part, regrip in soft jaws, face side B to 42 mm | T05, program O2200 | 1.0 min | | 70 | Inspection station: measure the diameter, the length and the hole | Micrometer, gauge | 0.6 min | | Setup | CNC lathe: tools, zeros, first article (once per lot) | Batch setup | 45 min | To find the total cycle, add up the operation times: 0.5 + 0.8 + 1.6 + 0.9 + 0.7 + 1.0 + 0.6 = 6.1 minutes per part. The 45-minute setup is counted only once per lot: on a lot of 100 parts, it adds about 0.45 minute per part. The real time will be longer than these 6.1 minutes. You must add loading the part and closing the chuck. Add the tool change if it is not counted in the CAM, then air blowing, the first-article inspection and unloading the finished part. ### Calculating the cutting time of one pass Take a finishing pass over 40 mm (about 1.57 in), with a feed of 0.20 mm per revolution (about 0.008 in) and a spindle at 1,200 revolutions per minute. The feed rate is: 0.20 mm × 1,200 rpm = 240 mm/min (about 9.4 in/min) The cutting time for 40 mm is therefore: 40 mm ÷ 240 mm/min = 0.167 min, or about 10 seconds Add 3 seconds of approach and 4 seconds of retract: that makes 17 seconds for this pass. But this is only a slice of the cycle. The time calculated by the CAM or the G-code remains a starting point, not the whole truth. On repetitive runs, the gap with the real time often stays small. On small batches with rework, frequent inspections or adjustments during production, it can be much larger. **Do your standard times reflect the reality of the shop?** See the status of each machine and the progress of each work order in real time. [Discover machine monitoring](https://www.jitbase.com/machine-monitoring) ## Keeping the manufacturing routing true to real time ### Where real times come from To compare the routing with what really happens in the shop, you usually rely on three sources: - **The CNC program or the CAM file**, which gives a theoretical cutting time. The method is detailed in the guide on [extracting cycle times from G-code](https://www.jitbase.com/blog/extract-cycle-times-from-g-code-in-7-steps). - **The machine signals**: cycle start and end, spindle on, door open, alarm. They give the real machine time, without the operator having to enter anything. See the article on [CNC cycle time monitoring](https://www.jitbase.com/blog/implement-cycle-time-monitoring-cnc-shop-minimal-hardware). - **Entry at the machine**, for what the machine cannot guess. On the workstation screen, the operator enters in JITbase the reason for a stop (setup, break, batch change) and confirms the tasks done. One last point: the hours recorded by the machine and those of the work orders must be comparable. This is done in the ERP (the company’s business management software) or the MES (the software that tracks the shop floor). Otherwise, the calculated gaps no longer mean anything. ### Hidden time and operator workload The program does not show everything the operator does around the machine: loading and unloading, deburring, measuring, cleaning chips, waiting for material, recovering after an alarm. Part of this work is done while the machine runs: this is **hidden time**. As long as it fits within the machine cycle, it slows nothing down. As soon as it goes beyond, the machine waits for the operator. The subject is covered in detail in the article on [operator tasks done during hidden time](https://www.jitbase.com/blog/hidden-time-operator-tasks-cnc-shops). An operator often watches several machines. Their time therefore cannot always be tied to a single operation. To split this time between monitoring, handling and direct intervention, see how to [measure operator workload](https://www.jitbase.com/blog/measuring-operator-workload-cnc-shop-indicators). ### Correcting the routing after one to two weeks of production Review the routing after one to two weeks of real production, not six months later. By then, operators already know where it hurts: a poorly chosen tool, an impractical inspection order, a standard time that is too optimistic, a poorly described clamping. The correction stays simple: 1. Compare the program time, the observed machine time and the full operation time. 2. Validate the gaps with an operator and the shop manager. 3. Correct the routing, the standard time and, if needed, the program. 4. Save a new version with a revision and a date. **Time gaps often come from operator workload.** Split the work between operators and machines using reliable times. [Discover workforce management](https://www.jitbase.com/workforce-management) ## Which format for your routings: paper, Excel, ERP/MES or PLM? There is no ideal format. The right choice depends on the number of parts you make, your level of IT equipment and the need to keep a version history. Here are the four most common options: - **Paper**: very simple and inexpensive. But changes get lost quickly, several versions circulate, and nothing is connected to the ERP. - **Excel**: simple to set up and easy to modify. Data stays correct if one person keeps the file up to date, but the link with the ERP is limited. - **The ERP or the MES**: setting it up takes more time. Data is reliable if the shop follows the update discipline, and the routing feeds work orders and planning directly. - **PLM (the system that manages drawings and their versions)**: very good for keeping documents up to date. The link with the ERP depends on how the software is installed in the company. A small shop can very well start with Excel or a PDF, as long as versions are well managed. A busier shop, with a lot of work in progress (parts being made), often benefits from linking the routing, the work orders and the feedback from the shop floor. ## Maintaining and improving your manufacturing routings ### Who creates, who validates, who modifies A routing that is not kept up to date becomes a source of errors. You need a simple rule: who creates, who validates, who modifies, and when. Without this rule, several versions circulate and nobody trusts the document anymore. A useful list to check: - the version and the date are visible; - the link with the drawing and the program is clear; - the standard time has a known source; - any change in the process triggers a review of the routing; - feedback from quality goes back up to the routing; - major stops and tool changes trigger a check. ### Small improvements and operator feedback The best improvements often come from small repeated corrections: removing an unnecessary measurement, moving a tool closer, simplifying the clamping, swapping two operations. Nothing spectacular, but the effect adds up. A routing is worth what the people who use it are worth. If the operator does not report a gap, or if process engineering does not listen to their feedback, the document freezes and no longer resembles reality. Good feedback often fits in one sentence. One example: the inspection at operation 30 wastes time and would be better placed after finishing. Another: the clamping shown does not leave enough material for the regrip in soft jaws. ## Manufacturing routing and ERP/MES software: what to pass on? The ERP is the company’s business management software (orders, purchasing, inventory, invoicing). The MES tracks production on the shop floor. If your routing must feed one of the two, some data deserves to be well organized: - the unique part number and the drawing revision; - the operation number and the planned machine; - the standard time, separated if possible into setup, cycle and labor; - the tool or tool group, and the CNC program number; - the inspection points and their quality status. The hardest part is not sending data, but sending the right data, at the right level of detail. An operation that is too broad prevents analyzing gaps. An operation that is split too finely becomes impossible to track. Also think about variants (material, length, jaws, customer version): if they are not separated, standard times get mixed up. To frame this project, see the guide on [integrating shop floor data with the ERP without disruption](https://www.jitbase.com/blog/integrate-shop-floor-data-erp-without-disruption) and the article on [ERP and production management software for CNC shops](https://www.jitbase.com/blog/erp-and-production-management-software-cnc-shops). When the data is aligned, an up-to-date routing lets you recalculate machine load and rank a work order by its observed duration. It also lets you review a quote when the gap lasts, and calculate an [actual job cost for each work order](https://www.jitbase.com/blog/cnc-actual-job-cost-real-margin). **Keep your routings up to date with production data.** Track work orders, quantities and machine stops, then correct the routing based on facts. [Discover production monitoring](https://www.jitbase.com/production-monitoring) ## Conclusion A well-maintained **manufacturing routing** remains the basis of consistent production. It makes it possible to estimate credible standard times and to understand gaps in a CNC shop. Combine the program time, what you observe on the shop floor and the machine measurements. You then get a much more accurate picture of the real cycle and of operator workload. The most effective approach is often to start on a pilot part, correct the routing quickly, then extend the method to other parts. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is the difference between a manufacturing routing and an operation sheet? In many shops, the two terms describe the same thing: the ordered sequence of operations needed to produce a part, with the associated machine, tooling and times. Usage varies between companies and industries, and there is no single rule recognized everywhere. When a distinction exists, the manufacturing routing gives the overall view (the path between workstations, the standard times, the machines). The operation sheet details the operations of a given workstation. The work instruction goes further still, with the method and the gestures to follow. The key is to choose one vocabulary and keep it identical between methods, production and quality. ### How long does it take to set up a usable routing? It all depends on the level of detail wanted and on what already exists. For a simple, recurring part, a first version can be written fairly quickly if the program, the tooling and the inspections are already known. The real work comes next: test the routing during one to two weeks of production, compare the planned times with the observed times, then correct the gaps. A routing is only truly usable after this first round of corrections. ### Why is the program time different from the real time? The program mostly describes the cutting time and some machine movements. It does not contain everything that happens around the cut: loading the part, inspections, small stops, offset corrections, alarms, handling and operator waiting time. This gap varies with the type of production. On long repetitive runs, it often stays modest. On small batches with rework, frequent inspections and adjustments, it weighs much more. The program time is therefore a starting point, but it never replaces a measurement on the shop floor. ### Which routing format should a small CNC shop choose? Choose a simple format, with clearly marked versions and easy to update. Excel or a PDF can be enough at the start if the rules are clear: a single version in circulation, one person responsible for updates and a visible date. When the number of parts grows, or when the same data is re-entered in several tools, an ERP or an MES becomes more interesting. The routing then feeds work orders, planning and tracking directly, without re-entry. ### How do you handle variants of the same part in the routing? Separate the variants that really change the time, the clamping, the tooling or the inspection. A different material, a different length or a particular regrip must appear in the routing, or in clearly distinct versions. Conversely, there is no need to multiply routings for differences with no effect on manufacturing. Grouping too much distorts the standard times, and splitting too much makes updates impossible to maintain. A good rule of thumb: create a variant as soon as the time or the method changes in a measurable way. ### What is the link between a manufacturing routing and the ERP? The routing gives the ERP or the MES the order of operations, the machines, the standard times and sometimes the program numbers. This data is then used to plan, to calculate load and to track the progress of work orders. In return, the real times measured in the shop make it possible to correct the routing and to make the next quotes more reliable. Without this feedback, the ERP plans on times that slowly drift away from reality. #### SHARE [mailto:email@example.com?subject=Mail%20from%20our%20Website](mailto:email@example.com?subject=Mail%20from%20our%20Website) ## Related Articles [![Deux techniciens CNC évaluant des pièces usinées et des outils de coupe devant un centre d'usinage — comparatif logiciels CNC pour ateliers de précision.](https://www.jitbase.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-images/best-cnc-software-platforms-precision-machining-hero.jpg?width=352&name=best-cnc-software-platforms-precision-machining-hero.jpg)](https://www.jitbase.com/blog/best-cnc-software-platforms-precision-machining) [Production planning and scheduling](https://www.jitbase.com/blog/tag/production-planning-and-scheduling) ### [15 Best CNC Software Platforms for Precision Machining in 2026](https://www.jitbase.com/blog/best-cnc-software-platforms-precision-machining) Read more [![Responsable d'atelier et planificateur analysant un tableau de planning dynamique devant des machines CNC — implémentation SaaS de planification de production.](https://www.jitbase.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-images/planning-dynamique-implementation-saas-hero.jpg?width=352&name=planning-dynamique-implementation-saas-hero.jpg)](https://www.jitbase.com/blog/adaptive-planning-cnc-shops-saas-implementation) [Production planning and scheduling](https://www.jitbase.com/blog/tag/production-planning-and-scheduling) ### [Adaptive Planning for CNC Shops: SaaS Implementation Guide](https://www.jitbase.com/blog/adaptive-planning-cnc-shops-saas-implementation) Read more [![CNC production planning board with operator organizing work orders in a machine shop](https://www.jitbase.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-images/Production-planning-scheduling.jpg?width=352&name=Production-planning-scheduling.jpg)](https://www.jitbase.com/blog/production-scheduling-cnc) [Production planning and scheduling](https://www.jitbase.com/blog/tag/production-planning-and-scheduling) ### [Production Planning and Scheduling for CNC Shops (Complete Guide)](https://www.jitbase.com/blog/production-scheduling-cnc) Production planning and scheduling is the set of practices and... --\> Read more [![Operators using a tablet on the CNC shop floor to monitor production, illustrating shop-floor management software and real-time manufacturing visibility.](https://www.jitbase.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-images/best-shop-floor-management-software-top-10-hero.jpg?width=352&name=best-shop-floor-management-software-top-10-hero.jpg)](https://www.jitbase.com/blog/best-shop-floor-management-software-top-10) [Production planning and scheduling](https://www.jitbase.com/blog/tag/production-planning-and-scheduling) ### [Best Shop-Floor Management Software: Top 10 Picks for 2026](https://www.jitbase.com/blog/best-shop-floor-management-software-top-10) Read more [![JITbase block logo](https://www.jitbase.com/hs-fs/hubfs/eca01011d7169e8c6395a8d7eebe802d.webp?width=317&height=158&name=eca01011d7169e8c6395a8d7eebe802d.webp)](https://www.jitbase.com) ![image-2](https://www.jitbase.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-2.webp?width=156&height=78&name=image-2.webp) Solutions - 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[Privacy Policy](https://www.jitbase.com/privacy-policy) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Judicael Deguenon", "url" : "https://www.jitbase.com/blog/author/judicael-deguenon" }, "dateModified" : "2026-10-13T15:44:15.337Z", "datePublished" : "2026-10-13T15:44:15.000Z", "headline" : "Manufacturing Routing for CNC Shops: Contents and Example", "image" : [ "https://www.jitbase.com/hubfs/manufacturing-routing-cnc-shop.webp" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.jitbase.com/blog/manufacturing-routing-cnc-shop", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.jitbase.com/hubfs/logo%20jitbase%201.svg" }, "name" : "JITbase" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "FAQPage", "mainEntity" : [ { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "In many shops, the two terms describe the same thing: the ordered sequence of operations needed to produce a part, with the associated machine, tooling and times. Usage varies between companies and industries, and there is no single rule recognized everywhere. When a distinction exists, the manufacturing routing gives the overall view (the path between workstations, the standard times, the machines). The operation sheet details the operations of a given workstation. The work instruction goes further still, with the method and the gestures to follow. The key is to choose one vocabulary and keep it identical between methods, production and quality." }, "name" : "What is the difference between a manufacturing routing and an operation sheet?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "It all depends on the level of detail wanted and on what already exists. For a simple, recurring part, a first version can be written fairly quickly if the program, the tooling and the inspections are already known. The real work comes next: test the routing during one to two weeks of production, compare the planned times with the observed times, then correct the gaps. A routing is only truly usable after this first round of corrections." }, "name" : "How long does it take to set up a usable routing?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The program mostly describes the cutting time and some machine movements. It does not contain everything that happens around the cut: loading the part, inspections, small stops, offset corrections, alarms, handling and operator waiting time. This gap varies with the type of production. On long repetitive runs, it often stays modest. On small batches with rework, frequent inspections and adjustments, it weighs much more. The program time is therefore a starting point, but it never replaces a measurement on the shop floor." }, "name" : "Why is the program time different from the real time?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Choose a simple format, with clearly marked versions and easy to update. Excel or a PDF can be enough at the start if the rules are clear: a single version in circulation, one person responsible for updates and a visible date. When the number of parts grows, or when the same data is re-entered in several tools, an ERP or an MES becomes more interesting. The routing then feeds work orders, planning and tracking directly, without re-entry." }, "name" : "Which routing format should a small CNC shop choose?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Separate the variants that really change the time, the clamping, the tooling or the inspection. A different material, a different length or a particular regrip must appear in the routing, or in clearly distinct versions. Conversely, there is no need to multiply routings for differences with no effect on manufacturing. Grouping too much distorts the standard times, and splitting too much makes updates impossible to maintain. A good rule of thumb: create a variant as soon as the time or the method changes in a measurable way." }, "name" : "How do you handle variants of the same part in the routing?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The routing gives the ERP or the MES the order of operations, the machines, the standard times and sometimes the program numbers. This data is then used to plan, to calculate load and to track the progress of work orders. In return, the real times measured in the shop make it possible to correct the routing and to make the next quotes more reliable. Without this feedback, the ERP plans on times that slowly drift away from reality." }, "name" : "What is the link between a manufacturing routing and the ERP?" } ] } ```