Understanding Machine Points

Understanding Machine Points

Understanding Machine Points

Machine points are used to reference the origin (X and Y axes) of machining instructions. These are not used to reference the location of the part itself – base points are used for part origin within the product.

When working with machine points, it is important to understand the different virtual machine fields. There is a normal machine field that uses machine points 1 through 8. Then, there is the mirrored machine field, which uses machine points 1M through 8M – the “M” designates the mirrored field. The image below better describes the machine fields.


The images that follow will show how each of the machine points affects how the part will be machined (normal and mirrored fields). Notice as you look through the images that changing the machine point also changes the location of the faces.









Looking at the cabinet parts again, the sides, top, and bottom would have the following machine points.


Machine points are often based on which face will receive the majority of machining.  Also, most vertical parts will have machine points that reference the bottom, the front face of the interior of the cabinet. Most horizontal parts will have machine points that reference the left, front face of the interior of the cabinet.

The image below shows how the left and right sides are drawn with machining. The left side has a machine point of 1, and the right side has a machine point of 2M.


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