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We have been using Mastercam mill for about 6 months here and we have had good results. We only do prototype work so we program a job, run it and we are done with it. We have found it quite efficient to mill the parts out of plate and then contour mill around the part and have it drop out of the plate. Of course the endmill does not enjoy plunging into the material. Many of our parts have pockets and other contours so we end up plunging a lot. It sure would be handy to be able to drill pilot holes where the mill enters the part. We stumbled upon the "start Hole" feature under the hole making menu. The issue is we don't know how to use it.
When we tried to use it it made another tool group and placed it at the end. The simulation showed the part being machined then the pilot holes being made. (like the parachute that opens on impact.) The tool did generate wirreframe arcs at each of the entry points. We ended up deleting the toolpath, then using the arcs to spot and drill at the entry locations. This made Mr. end mill much happier, but it was a lot more mouse clicks. I purchased the eMastercam Mill Handbook and it is not explained. (If it is, what page?) I tried to go to Google University and found nothing on the start-hole feature. I would appreciate any guidance on how to use this tool properly.
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