Learn/Plasma/Toolpath Generation & Post-Processing
Pre-Pierce All
Updated v2.5.8At a glance
- Pierces every eligible cut before the cutting pass
- One cleanup park and Continue pause
- Restarts farther along each exact line or arc lead-in
- Machine Zero, Work Zero, picked point, or entered coordinates
- Same sequence in preview, simulation, quotes, and posted output
Pre-Pierce All helps when pierce dross must be cleared before the torch cuts the parts. It keeps the entire job in one program: JetCad3 runs marking and locator operations once, pierces every eligible cut, retracts and parks for cleanup, then resumes cutting from shifted points on the existing lead-ins.
Set it up
Open Parameters → Pre-Pierce, turn on Pre-Pierce All, and set a positive Restart Offset shorter than every lead-in. The offset follows the true lead length, including arcs.
The cut chart controls pierce and cut heights, including any rules or contour overrides. Restart Delay is optional: leave it blank for Use Cut Chart Pierce Time, or enter a different delay for the cutting pass.
Choose where the machine parks after the pierce pass:
- Machine Zero
- Work Zero
- Pick Point in the viewport
- Enter Coordinates in work coordinates
The machine retracts to machine Z0 before moving in X/Y. A picked or entered point can be outside the stock, but it must remain inside the configured machine travel.
Review the sequence
Generate toolpaths and inspect the separate preparatory-pierce, restart, and parking markers. Simulation and the posted program use the same order:
- Marking, peck marks, and existing locator pierces run once.
- Every eligible cut is pierced at its original lead start with height control off.
- The torch and height control turn off, Z retracts to machine zero, and the machine parks.
- One cleanup pause asks you to clear pierce dross.
- Continue starts the cutting pass at the shifted lead points. Stop ends the program. In simulation, use Play at the cleanup pause to continue, or Stop to end the simulation.
Quotes count both the preparatory pierces and cutting restarts and measure the shortened cutting paths.
Current limits
Every cut needs one lead-in longer than the Restart Offset. JetCad3 identifies the part and contour when a safe restart is unavailable. Pre-Pierce All is currently unavailable for tabs, Common Grid separator cuts, open Free Draw or Strip Cut paths, bevel/5-axis work, FLCNC/FangLing output, and GRBL setups that delegate Z motion outside the posted program.