Feature Avoidance is a CAM software programming technique that allows the laser cutting head to remain in the down position when traveling from feature-to-feature within a part while avoiding interference with previously cut features. Keeping the head down maximizes productivity by eliminating time consuming up and down movements. Without Feature Avoidance, a head collision could occur since cut-outs have a tendency to flip-up.

This is a simple example of how Feature Avoidance works. From a conventional CAM post, all of the lead-in and lead-outs are positioned in the same location for each feature. As the laser head traverses to the next part feature, it could collide into a flipped-up part. Feature avoidance automatically re-positions the lead-in and lead-outs so that the laser head does not traverse over the previously cut part. The cutting head can now remain in the down position as it moves from feature-to-feature within a part.

In light gage, feature intensive parts, this software can double the productivity of the laser.