Old style start for program?

Many times I have needed to use an iterative alignment for the manual alignment, BUT, I do see some issues with it being called an 'old style' start. The only time I ever use an iterative for the manual is when you can NOT (with the features used) do a 3-2-1 alignment. Doesn't happen often, but it does happen.

OLD STYLE wouldn't allow any slot to be used in an iterative alignment, it was a FUBAR waiting to happen, had to (I have to, I use V3.7) construct a point a the slot, then use that point, not the slot.

ALSO, when I had to use an iterative alignment for the manual alignment, I used "easy" features, not necessarily datum features. I also cranked up the TARGET tolerance to 25mm or more so that it would NOT ask to re-measure any of the features (if you can't hit within an inch, get a different job!), and I use MEASURE ALL FEAT = NEVER, they will not be run unless marked. You will not be prompted to position the probe to measure 'feature x' unless your hit(s) aren't within the target value.

Since you are using 3 points & 2 'holes', your FIXTURE tolerance can be MUCH lower since you are using the minimum possible features (3 level, 2 rotate, 1 origin), I use 0.05mm (0.002") fixture tolerance and it isn't an issue, since it will solve with ZERO deviation in all the locating axis for each feature.

ALL that being said, you should NEVER use a manual alignment as the 'final' alignment, it should be followed by a DCC controlled alignment, thus the reason for 'easy' features and huge target tolerance for the manual.

If they do NOT have a DCC alignment after that manual alignment, then they are absolutely clueless about what they are doing and I would suspect many more issues in the program.

Many times I have needed to use an iterative alignment for the manual alignment, BUT, I do see some issues with it being called an 'old style' start. The only time I ever use an iterative for the manual is when you can NOT (with the features used) do a 3-2-1 alignment. Doesn't happen often, but it does happen.

OLD STYLE wouldn't allow any slot to be used in an iterative alignment, it was a FUBAR waiting to happen, had to (I have to, I use V3.7) construct a point a the slot, then use that point, not the slot.

ALSO, when I had to use an iterative alignment for the manual alignment, I used "easy" features, not necessarily datum features. I also cranked up the TARGET tolerance to 25mm or more so that it would NOT ask to re-measure any of the features (if you can't hit within an inch, get a different job!), and I use MEASURE ALL FEAT = NEVER, they will not be run unless marked. You will not be prompted to position the probe to measure 'feature x' unless your hit(s) aren't within the target value.

Since you are using 3 points & 2 'holes', your FIXTURE tolerance can be MUCH lower since you are using the minimum possible features (3 level, 2 rotate, 1 origin), I use 0.05mm (0.002") fixture tolerance and it isn't an issue, since it will solve with ZERO deviation in all the locating axis for each feature.

ALL that being said, you should NEVER use a manual alignment as the 'final' alignment, it should be followed by a DCC controlled alignment, thus the reason for 'easy' features and huge target tolerance for the manual.

If they do NOT have a DCC alignment after that manual alignment, then they are absolutely clueless about what they are doing and I would suspect many more issues in the program.