Clamping stock for milling...?

I haven't seen discussion of this topic recently, but am ready to make a
first part on a cnc mill conversion....how do you typically handle clamping
of different parts on a mill and avoid hitting the clamps? And even better,
how to mill a part without having it "fall out" from the stock or get loose
when the part is nearly finshed. For record, I plan to use VisualMill or
similar for the more complex designs...do you mill only a Region of stock at
a specific time, which avoids preplanned clamp locations? Then move the
clamp and hit "go" on the controller at the "change clamp pause"?

Also I would appreciate reading descriptions of the different clamping and
hold-down methods currently in acceptance.
Anything beyond t-nut simple clamps would be especially helpful....what goes
into the thought process when deciding how to clamp down a part for a 3-axis
setup, I guess is what I am asking....

Thanks again to this fine group for all your help...



R. William Kichman, P.E.
Kichman Engineering Associates
103 Old Furnace Road
Cornwall, PA 17016-0643
tel/fax 717/270-0714