Sometimes I worry that my compressor is working “overtime”.
So is there a way to “pause a cut” such that it will not affect the cut negatively and ruin the piece?
I am preparing to cut some parts that are 5/16" thick and I have never attempted such thick pieces, so I am concerned that my compressor will need a “break”
It is a Quincy Single-Stage Portable Electric Air Compressor - 2 HP, 26-Gallon Vertical, 7.4 CFM, Model Number Q12126VPQ
and I think the duty cycle is 50%
What post processor do you use? This will determine the method.
Just hit pause when it is making a rapid move been cuts.
i second what ds690 said as well as if using sheetcam, it has a “pause between cuts” where you can enter a value of how long you want to pause between each cut.
In sheet cam you can insert code ‘M0’, that will pause the table until you press resume (you have to press pause then resume).
Get a larger compressor.
this is the easiest…just hit the spacebar between cuts when the torch is traveling to the next cut…then hit resume when you feel comfortable…I used to do this all the time…
Firecontrol has a pause option.
You ask if pausing will have a penalty.
Have you even tried it?..
I use Sheetcam.
Good idea. I didn’t think about that.
Hmmmm, I don’t know how to insert that code yet (or any other codes)
Nope.
Thanks guys! 
In Fusion 360, it is not difficult (Tin taught this last year)
Right click on the Manufacturing Setup: New Operation>Manual NC
Then you pick “Dwell” in the comment section of “Manual Type”:
Enter the number of seconds of the pause:
It then adds the pause under the setup. You will need to differentiate your groups of cuts in different tool paths. Put a New Operation>Manual NC>“Dwell” at each location that you need a pause. It will then be part of the code.
But here is the secret, all of the tool path manipulations was to get one simple line in the gcode: “G4 P90”. G4 is the Dwell or Pause command and Pxx (is number of seconds of the pause). You could add that by yourself in a text editor program. Look for “M5” which is “Torch Off” command and the the G0 Z1 command moves the torch up to 1 inch for fast travel. Insert the pause after that command to lift the torch.
G0 Z-0.001 (IHS Springback + Backlash)
G92 Z0.
G0 Z0.13 (Tool Pierce Height)
M3
G4 P0.65
G0 Z0.03 (Tool Cut Height)
H1
G3 X-0.8225 Y0.9 I0.047 J0.0171 F180.
G3 X-0.9775 I-0.0775 J0. F249.
G3 X-0.895 Y0.8227 I0.0775 J0.
G3 X-0.8231 Y0.91 I-0.005 J0.0773
H0
M5
G0 Z1.
(2D Profile3)
(Tool CutHeight is 0.029999999999999995)
(Tool PierceTime is 0.65)
(Tool PierceHeight is 0.13)
G0 X0.9443 Y0.8897
G92 Z0.
G38.2 Z-5. F100.
G38.4 Z0.5 F20.
G92 Z0.
G0 Z-0.001 (IHS Springback + Backlash)
G92 Z0.
G0 Z0.13 (Tool Pierce Height)
M3
G4 P0.65
G0 Z0.03 (Tool Cut Height)
H1
G3 X1.0025 Y0.9 I0.0282 J0.0103 F180.
G3 X0.7975 I-0.1025 J0. F249.
G3 X0.905 Y0.7976 I0.1025 J0.
G3 X1.002 Y0.91 I-0.005 J0.1024
H0
M5
G0 Z1.
Thank you @ChelanJim for the detailed response.
I am going to try that when I get my next metal order in.
To program a pause in sheetcam.
On the left in the tools editor click the highlighted icon below, Give a name and use code M0.
Now you can use that snippet in the operations but you will need to set different layers.
To do that click on the icon up at the top (pictured below)
To create a layer, hold down control and click on all the cuts you want to cut first (this is also what you would do to select holes for a center punching operation) Once you have clicked everything, right click (make sure to right click on one of your selections) choose move to new layer then give it a name. Keep doing that for your remaining layers, you don’t need to do it for all as the remaining items are still on the original imported layer.
Now, when you create your operations you can add in the pause.
Make sure to choose the correct layer in your cutting operation…
In the end you will have something like this (the icon with the G is how you insert the code in the operation.
I’m not sure that fire control fully understands the M0 code. The table will pause as planned but you need to press pause and then resume on the screen to resume cutting.
Thank you sir!
I did not know that Sheetcam could do this.
I appreciate it.
When it comes to CAM, I think SheetCAM can do everything that Fusion can do (and sometimes even better.)
But does SheetCAM leave that little chocolate candy on the pillow when it is done??? Nope…didn’t think so! 
Nope but it will leave you alone 
And won’t take an hour to load! 
Maybe he does not want a larger compressor. Either way it seems unlikely this comment is needed. Especially considering all the good answers.
Agree, just pause during rapids between cuts and you’ll be good until you decided to upgrade compressors.
