CNC PLASMA & FIBER LASER CAM PREPRESS
Laser & Plasma Lead-in, Pierce Kerf & Corner Loop Calculator
Compute optimal straight and circular arc lead-in paths, pierce crater offset safety margins, lead-out overburn overlap, and outside corner loop radii to eliminate pierce divots, part gouging, and dross defects on CNC cutpaths.
1. Machine & Cutting Technology
Nominal plate thickness. Pierce crater diameter scales directly with thickness.
Calculated cutting beam/plasma flame kerf width.
2. Lead Geometry & Cut Parameters
Lead-in & Pierce Crater Metrics
Min Lead-In Length ($L_{\text{lead}}$)
4.80 mm
$\max(1.5 \times K_w, 0.8 \times T)$
Arc Lead-In Radius ($R_{\text{arc}}$)
3.88 mm
Tangent arc radius for smooth motion
Pierce Crater Diameter ($D_{\text{crater}}$)
2.70 mm
Molten splatter blowout zone
Pierce-to-Part Safety Margin
3.45 mm
Safe from edge gouging
Lead-Out & Corner Loop Tooling
Lead-Out Overburn ($d_{\text{over}}$)
1.20 mm
Prevents tab retention on loop closure
Corner Loop Radius ($R_{\text{loop}}$)
2.50 mm
Prevents corner torch deceleration dross
Estimated Pierce Delay
0.65 s
Dwell time before XY motion starts
Min Cutout Hole Diameter
9.00 mm
Min hole allowing internal lead arc
DXF CAM Layer & Toolpath Directives
ENTRY_PIERCE_PT: Offset 4.80 mm from finished perimeter
LEAD_TRAJECTORY: Tangent G02/G03 arc ($R = 3.88$ mm)
OVERBURN_OVERLAP: 1.20 mm past start point on vector loop
CORNER_LOOPS: Add external $R = 2.50$ mm loops on $90^\circ$ outside corners
LEAD_TRAJECTORY: Tangent G02/G03 arc ($R = 3.88$ mm)
OVERBURN_OVERLAP: 1.20 mm past start point on vector loop
CORNER_LOOPS: Add external $R = 2.50$ mm loops on $90^\circ$ outside corners