How Do I Change the Start Point?

As a MecSoft Support Representative, I’m on the frontline in terms of frequently asked questions by customers, so I hear firsthand what customers ask most. In this blog post, I’m going to answer one of these frequently asked questions and then show you how to achieve this in less than 60 seconds.

The question:

“How do I change the start point?”

The ability to change the start point in our CAM software is just one of the many features that contribute to the versatility and ease of use of MecSoft CAD/CAM software. This useful feature makes it convenient for you to be able to manipulate the start point to suit your needs based on part geometry. We call this feature Select Start Point. This powerful feature can be used across all of our CAM products, and is used in conjunction with pre-defined machining regions.

Using pre-defined machining regions facilitates the use of the Select Start Point feature. A pre-defined region is simply a machining region that has been preset by user creation. These machining regions can be effortlessly created within the Machining Objects browser under the Regions tab.

The start point of a machining operation can be easily maneuvered using the Select Start Point feature by seamlessly selecting the pre-defined machining area and placing the start point to its new location by simply clicking on the desired location of the new start point.

Advantages of the Select Start Point Feature

The Select Start Point feature can be used in any of our CAM products. The functionality works the same whether you’re using our standalone software, or one of our integrated CAM plugins. Also, the toolpaths are automatically updated after regeneration to correspond with the new start point location. Personally, I think one of the most beneficial factors about this feature is having full control at your finger tips.

Advantages of Creating Pre-defined Regions

Pre-defined Regions are useful in many ways. You can create multiple Pre-defined Regions to be used in an operation. Pre-defined Regions may be used with specifying start points, reversing curve direction, automatic bridge points, manual bridge points, editing bridge points and deleting bridge points. Stay tuned for future blog posts discussing the creation and use of Bridge Points.

Joe Anand

Joe Anand has been President and CEO of MecSoft Corporation since 1997. Previously Joe worked for Siemens UGS PLM Software running a Custom Projects group implementing specialized projects for strategic global partners such as GM, Opel and GE as well as working on 3D machining algorithms for the NX product series. Before that he worked at Intergraph Corporation and was responsible for rewriting Intergraph's 3 Axis milling product. Earlier, Joe held senior positions at Auto-trol Technology and GE Calma. Joe earned his MS degree, in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson University with a research emphasis on robot path planning and motion simulation.