Lead in/out speeds?

What is the purpose or benefit to having the lead in or lead out speeds different than the cut speed?

I’m still very new to running my Crossfire and am unsure if these speeds should be faster, slower or the same?

There is times when it can benefit. Like giving the plasma stream time to square up and establish a good cut before making it to the part.

In addition to what Phillip said, the Lead-in definitely has a unique role of piercing the metal. This is a task that needs to be sure of successful more than it needs to be pretty. A slower cut will accomplish adequate piercing but you will likely get more dross.

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Whatever you do, don’t make it faster than the program speed.

I tried that once, at someone’s suggestion, and noticed that the THC wasn’t working. After looking at the code, I noticed that the program speed in the code(last line) was the lead in speed. It turns out that the post processor uses the fastest speed for that line.

My lead in speed was 20% faster than the cut speed, so the rest of the program was less than 85% of the lead in speed and that turned off the THC for the whole program.

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Ok I am not sure I understand how the speed of you lead in effects your pierce? Should the pierce not be completed before moving?

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That is true. I should have said adequate clearing of the metal since the lead-in often has a tight turn or small radius of movement.

Good point.