Starts

Marking and burning starts are either explicitly defined by the operator by indicating the position for a single start or automatically generated. The order in which the starts will appear in the tool path is the order in which they have been created. (The system contains a function for renumbering the starts.)

Marking starts will always be placed at the end of a marking line and are indicated on the display with an arrow-head. The following figure illustrates the definition of a single marking start:

Figure 3:2. Illustration of a Single Marking Start.

Starts can be generated automatically for all marking lines. This operation implies the deletion of possible existing starts on the marking lines.

Burning starts can be placed in gaps, in node points or in arbitrary points. A burning start is indicated on the display with the hook at the start (or if no hook is used, an arrow-head just like marking starts).

The end of the tool path connected to a burning starts is defined at the same time as the start. The following three combinations of starts and ends can be used:

1. Start in a gap - end in the first following gap in the tool path (possibly the same gap as the start gap).

   

   Figure 3:3. Illustrations of Starts in a Gap.

2. Start in a node point or arbitrary point end in the same point (if a gap has been placed in the path, the tool path will end at that gap unless the automatic restart feature is used).

   

   Figure 3:4. Illustrations of starts in a node/arbitrary point.

3. Start in a node point or arbitrary point end in another arbitrary point or node point. (If a gap has been placed in the end, the tool path will end in that gap unless the automatic restart feature is used.)

   

   Figure 3:5. Illustrations of Starts in a Node/arbitrary Point.

Starts in all the holes can be generated automatically. If starts in gaps are used, gaps will be generated as well. The generation implies the deletion of possible existing starts in holes and gaps connected to starts.

When the burning starts are generated, either automatically or singly it is possible to guarantee a certain direction of the tool path. By setting one default value for holes and one for the outer contours, the operator is ensured that the cutting sequence will be either clockwise or counterclockwise.

Labelling starts can only be generated automatically. The generation implies the deletion of possible existing labelling starts.

It is also possible to define a cut line geometry when defining a start. The cut line geometry is a string line with an arbitrary number of line segments. When the first or last points are closer to the raw plate edge than a default distance, this point will automatically be adjusted so that the point will be situated this default distance from the raw plate edge.

The cut line geometry will automatically be included in the verification of the tool path.