Reference Section > Touchcut G Code Reference > Notes on Using G-Codes: > Auto Material/Thickness (2)

Often the programming software will have a larger list of material grades than are needed at the machine- the larger list of grades in the programming software may be needed to track materials and inventory, while many of the grades effectively cut the same at the machine.

Rule of Thumb: Most carbon steels cut more or less the same with plasma, with only slight modifications required occasionally, so the "MS" settings in Touchcut suffice. This is not the case for drilling, and if drilling harder materials you are well advised to create specific hardness grades in Touchcut, and copy the MS cutting settings into them.

As a result, it is often useful to "alias" the grades the programming software inserts into the NC codes back to say MS or SS (or any other machine grade) and this can be done via a configuration file on the machine.

To enable the feature in TouchCut6:

1.Ensure that you have TC6.exe version 6.5.000 or later. If you do not, then contact Kinetic to arrange an update.

2.Exit to Windows from TouchCut6.

3.Open the C:Touchcut6/Materials6 and open the file called Materials6.ini.

4.Create an [Alias] section and add the relevant materials as shown below. On the left hand side is the material name used in PrimeCut (Mild Steel, Stainless Steel, Bis 400, etc) and on the right is the related material name that is used in TouchCut6 (MS, SS, AL, etc). TouchCut6 will then be able to create a match to what is in it's material database.

When you load the program in Touchcut and view the NC Code you should see something similar to below but with the parameters you set up in the program in Primecut. When you activate the program, it will take you to the Materials page with the correct material already selected.

If you create a program with a material that doesn't exist in Touchcut6, you will get the following warning:

All you need to do is go to the materials page and add the required material and then you are right to process the job.

Note: The operator will still need to select the tool process on the materials page if it isn't in the program.

For example,

If there is an entry materials6.ini :

[Alias]
GR250=MS

..and in the NC program the materials call up line is...

M20(GR250-10.0mm)

..then Touchcut will set the material to MS-10.