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FASTCUBE Shopfloor AssistantNC EditorManipulator & Coordinates Panel

Manipulator and Manipulator Coordinates Panel

The Manipulator is a visual control tool that appears in the 3D Viewer when a motion is selected (in NC Editor or 3D Viewer), representing the position of the selected point and serving as a pivot for all Rototranslation offsets. It provides immediate visual feedback, helping users understand the current toolpath position and orientation.

The Manipulator Panel, located at the bottom of the NC Editor Panel, becomes active as soon as one or more points (or an entire regshape block) are selected in either the NC Editor or the 3D Viewer.

This panel allows precise control of the Manipulator’s position, enabling translations and rotations relative to the initial position of the Manipulator.

The Manipulator and its panel work in tandem with the Rototranslation Panel: all transformations applied with the reference set to TCP (Tool Center Point) are visually represented through the Manipulator in the 3D Viewer. If the reference system is switched to a different frame (e.g., Base Frame/G93), the Manipulator and its panel are hidden, since transformations are applied relative to the chosen frame rather than the tool.

You can use the manipulator to:

  • Visually understand the current toolpath position
  • Adjust the pivot point before applying Rototranslations
  • Validate reachability and orientation in real time

📘 How to Use the Manipulator

  • Step 1: Select a point or Regshape in the NC Editor or 3D Viewer.
  • Step 2: The manipulator appears in the 3D Viewer at the selected point.
  • Step 3: Manipulator Coordinates Panel controls

The Manipulator Coordinates Panel is used to define the pivot point correctly, and you can:

  • Translate the manipulator to a new position
  • Rotate it to adjust orientation

All changes are done with reference to the initial position of the Manipulator and appear instantly in the 3D Viewer.

  • Step 4: Observe changes instantly in the 3D Viewer
  • Step 5: Apply transformations as needed from the Rototranslation panel. In the Rototranslation panel, the reference needs to be the TCP (Tool Center Point)

🎯 Operator insights

  • The manipulator updates instantly with every selection or value change, ensuring all interactions are reflected live in the 3D Viewer with precise visual feedback.
  • To reset the Manipulator Panel values, simply select a new point from either the NC Editor or the 3D Viewer.
  • After a Rototranslation is applied, the manipulator automatically moves to the new point position and resets to its default state; the Manipulator Panel values are also refreshed.
  • Ideal for inspecting challenging tool positions, adjusting orientation, and correcting subtle trajectory deviations with confidence.
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Frame DefinitionsRototranslation Panel