Freecut

Hey Matt — yes. JC3 handles this in the Plasma workspace rather than directly in GcodePilot. That way the sheet, remnant, and existing parts are visible while you position the cut.

Select Free Draw from the Plasma toolbar, or press D. Click the start and end points; additional clicks add intermediate points. Hold Shift for a straight horizontal or vertical cut, or press Tab to enter an exact XY position or length and angle. Press Enter when finished, then Generate and Post to Machine.

Free Draw creates a cut-on-center path without kerf compensation or leads. If it crosses between two sheet edges, JC3 recognizes it as a parting cut and schedules it after the other parts.

For several parallel cuts or finished-width strips, use Strip Cut instead. It handles the strip width, count, direction, length, and kerf automatically.

Does that cover what you had in mind, or were you specifically looking for a similar tool directly inside GcodePilot?

I was thinking more for sheets that aren't in your program, jogging to the start and end, then cutting between. I can't access the Dynatorch control right now or I'd get you a screenshot.

Thanks for clarifying, Matt. We’re planning a GcodePilot tool called FreeCut for this.

It’ll have a simple PointTrace-style dialog: jog the torch to your start and capture it, then capture additional points. Each point connects with a straight line, and the last point is always the end.

FreeCut will have its own Run button, using your machine profile’s post processor and selected cut settings for the normal torch and touch-off sequence. It won’t replace your loaded program or change your X/Y work offsets, and there’s no need to set up a Plasma sheet.

You’ll also be able to save named FreeCuts for reuse, similar to PointTrace’s saved drawings.

This is now Planned. We’ll build it as a new GcodePilot tool called FreeCut for JC3-powered Plasma and OxyFuel machines.

FreeCut will open a simple PointTrace-style dialog. Jog the torch to the start and capture it, then capture the end and any intermediate points needed. The points will form one continuous series of straight cuts, with the last captured point always serving as the end.

The dialog will include the same applicable material, thickness, process, quality, cut-chart, and parameter selections available in the matching Plasma or OxyFuel workspace. Plasma marking processes will also be supported.

FreeCut will generate the program through the machine profile’s configured post processor and use its normal touch-off, torch, height-control, preheat, pierce, and shutdown routines. It will have its own Run controls without replacing the loaded program, advancing the program queue, or changing the machine’s X/Y work offsets.

Named FreeCuts can be saved with the machine profile for reuse. They’ll retain their original position, with an explicit Place Start at Torch action to relocate the whole routine without changing work zero.

You nailed it with the Freecut feature! that is so simple to use. One thing I noticed is it runs the Z down before it moves to the start position.

And what about adding an overlay to the pendant like the PointTrace has?