Last night I had an epiphany! Let me see if I see this correctly… I’m a CMM programmer. When I get a part to program I have to write two alignments. One to locate the part and one to measure from. I’m think it’s the same as CNC programming. The WCS locatss the work like a work shift in a lathe. Then the part zero is used to measure or build the features. For example, you set X0,Y0, to where the print tells and you move from that zero to do your machining. Am I correct?
Yes that is how it works.
Essentially yes.
The part file is built from the world origin so lets call this X0 Y0 and this would be the bottom front left corner, then when you machine you have the option of working from any workplane you would like to. Lets say its a 50x50x25 block you can set your datum anywhere on the block so lets say upper back right corner, so your datum would be at (from world origin) X50 Y50 Z25 but your WCS in CAM space is X0 Y0 Z0 on your machine your WSC would be set to the same location and all movement would work from that so X- Y+ Z- (most common machine)
If i understood your question correctly i hope this helps.
So, The way you explain it, I can keep the zero in the same place. Which is the Stock Box point.
Yes, you can leave it where ever you like as long as its a position that you are able to set on the machine as your Machine Datum.
I recommend you keep zero at the part box point. Offset your fixture and work offset to allow for stock removal.