Moving Pierce Travel

[Adam Saucier]

I was cutting 3/4” mild steel yesterday. The slag created by the pierce would build up in front of the torch ( not every time) and cause a collision fault. After a couple of times I just paused and cleared the slag then continued.

On another cnc plasma I am running in my shop they have an option for “moving pierce travel” which I set to the same distance as my lead in. This function blows the slag away from the direction of movement.

So as the torch initiates the pierce, it moves forward, blowing all slag behind.

This option blows the slag away from direction of movement and keeps slag from blowing back into the tip.

Is this something centroid would/could implement in the future?

[Joey]

Hello Adam

This is on the future feature list for the Plasma software.

This can be achieved thru the G-code.

The Cam will need to insert some commands in the G-code to achieve the desired moving pierce.

Instead of using the M61 macro which is a pre-determined touch off cycle based on the Profile settings.

The G-code will call the Auto Z zero macro and command the Desired Z pierce height.
The M3 torch on command would then be called.

Your lead would begin with X,Y possibly Z and Feed rate commands. You can just throw a <Feedrate> at the beginning of the Gcode if the profile feedrate is desired throughout the Cut.

I'm assuming the Z would move to the cut height asynchronously during the X,Y gcode Leadin move.

Inserting <Feedrate> in the Gcode at the end of the Lead in or when desired will enable the Profiles Feedrate once the Moving pierce has ended.

If you wanted to get Fancy you could can all this into your own Custom Macro. This may be easier for the Cam to insert at the begining of the cut.

The Custom Macro would contain the Auto Z zero command, Commanded Z height for Initial Pierce Height, M3 torch on and a Comanded Feedrate or the <Feedrate> for the profiles feedrate. If You would like THC during the cut enable THC with M35

The Lead-in X and Y G-code would follow your custom pierce macro and end with a Z Command to the Pierce height.