Hi,
I'm preparing a drawing for plasma cutting. For the Tool "Mill', I'm setting the safe distance 'a' as a positive value (10), the start depth (b) to a negative value (-3.8 as per Hypertherm) which I'm assuming is the initial pierce height and the depth of cut 'c' to a negative value (-1.5 as per Hypertherm) which is the cut height. Is this correct for plasma? Otherwise, it would plunge the torch into the work I would think.
How do I select material thickness? The table has a THC.
I am totally new to this and haven't made my first cut yet. My goal is to use QCAD/CAM straight to Langmuir's FireControl software bypassing Sheetcam.
QCAD/CAM 3.26.4.0 (3.26.4)
Port processor G-Code fofset mm
on OSX 11.6
on Langmuir Crossfire Pro table
on Hypertherm 45XP plasma cutter
b height in QCAM
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Always indicate your operating system and QCAD version.
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Always indicate your operating system and QCAD version.
Indicate the post processor used.
Attach drawing files and screenshots.
Post one question per topic.
Re: b height in QCAM
Do you want to cut in multiple passes, lowering the Z axis with each pass or in a single pass?
Re: b height in QCAM
Sorry, forgot to say this is plasma.
Re: b height in QCAM
I understand. I'm still not quite sure what the Z axis is used for. Do you have different profiles at different Z levels?
Re: b height in QCAM
Yes. In plasma cutting, depending on the type of material and thickness, the torch height (or tip) must be set at the correct distance. There is a table for that in Hypertherm’s manual.
Re: b height in QCAM
So if I understand correctly, the torch remains at a constant height, but depending on the thickness of the material you cut, that height is different.
If so, you can simple set
Safe Z (a): 10
Start depth (b): 0
Cut depth (c): -3.8
Start depth (b): 0 means that your material starts at Z=0 (i.e. the top surface of the material is at Z=0. If the torch would move to Z=0, it would just touch the material.
QCAD/CAM will generate G-Code that moves rapidly (G0) to Z=10, then moves slowly (G1) to Z=3.8 (positive, 3.8mm above the surface), cuts the contour and then retreats to Z=10 again. It will never descend to Z=0.
As always, check your G-Code program before you run it.
If so, you can simple set
Safe Z (a): 10
Start depth (b): 0
Cut depth (c): -3.8
Start depth (b): 0 means that your material starts at Z=0 (i.e. the top surface of the material is at Z=0. If the torch would move to Z=0, it would just touch the material.
QCAD/CAM will generate G-Code that moves rapidly (G0) to Z=10, then moves slowly (G1) to Z=3.8 (positive, 3.8mm above the surface), cuts the contour and then retreats to Z=10 again. It will never descend to Z=0.
As always, check your G-Code program before you run it.