Start tab

You can use the Start tab of the Wire Feature Properties dialog to specify the start point of a Wire feature.

Note: Leads are non-perpendicular by default. If you want the lead to be perpendicular, select the Pick only perpendicular lead box before you click the Pick location button. Click the start point and FeatureCAM highlights the corresponding perpendicular point when you mouse-over the curve segment. Click to accept it.

Die and Punch Features

For 2 and 4-axis Die or Punch features, a start point is automatically calculated. You can change the start point for a Die or Punch feature using the following procedure:

1. If the feature has multiple curves, select the appropriate curve from the Curve list.
2. Click the Pick location button.
3. Click the new Start point.
Note: You must pick on the appropriate side for the feature type. For die features, pick on the inside. For punch features, pick on the outside. For side features pick on the machining side. If you pick a point in the incorrect side, the approach moves will gouge the part.
4. Select the segment of the curve to connect the start point to by moving the mouse over the feature until the segment of the curve you want is highlighted and then click the mouse.
5. The X and Y coordinates of the new start point are displayed in the dialog.

If you want to force the wire to start on the curve, you cannot simply double-click. You must move your second pick (the one that indicates the curve segment) slightly so that you are not picking the same point twice.

If you are creating a 4-axis feature, follow the above procedure for both the upper and lower curves.

Side Features

For 2 and 4-axis side features, the default is to start at the first point of the curve. To add new linear moves at the start or end of a curve:

1. If the feature has multiple curves, select the appropriate curve from the Curve drop down list.
2. Click the Pick point button for either the start or end point.

   A line will rubber-band from the current start of end point.

3. Click a point at the new location.

   Alternatively, you can simple enter the new end point coordinates.