Tangent Lead Style

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Tangent Lead Style

Tangent Lead Style

 

When leads attach to a curve it is known as a Tangent Lead Attachment, and the algorithm used to apply leads is called Tangent Lead Style (TLS).

Under certain circumstances, other settings may take effect:

On a small slot or hole: see Hole/Slot Leads

On a small cutout with internal Concave corners: see Leadin at Internal Corners (this affects whether TLS is applied, or whether the leadin will be applied at the corner)

The manner in which the leads attach is important to control gouging on the part and there are a number of options.  It is easiest to consider these by way of example, and here we will consider applying leads to a ring of OD100mm (say 4"), and ID about 57mm/3".  The TLS algorithm approaches external and internal arc attachments differently.

tLS0

 

Standard

A 90 degree tangential arc is used for both the leadin and leadout on the outside.

On the inside a perpendicular line is used for the leadin, and a 45 degree line for the leadout (if one is used, refer Handling Of Drop Cuts)

NOTE that in theory a small "nipple" is left by the leadout on the internal cut (if a leadout is used).  In practice, as the tool slows to leadout and is crosssing itslef, the arc/burn may deviate sideways and gouge the part.  Setting Tangent Overshoot to a negative value, say -2.5mm or -0.1", makes the nipple bigger and reduces or eliminate the gouge.  

No Leadouts on Drops

No Leadouts on Drops

 

Leadouts On Drops

Leadouts On Drops

 

ALL options below will assume Leadouts on Drops, obviously if the leadout is inhibited the inner leadout, if it exists, will disappear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

45 Deg In and Out

As the name suggests, linear leadin and leadout at 45 degrees:

TLS2

Quarter Arcs

Also self explanatory:

TLS3

Quarter In, 45 Deg Out

TLS4

Perp In, 45 Deg Out

TLS5

Radius In, 45 deg Out

 

There is a setting Pierce Centrally on Small Holes that will cause leadins on small (drop) cutouts to pierce in the center and leadin perpendicular also.

TLS6

Semicircle in, 45 Deg Out

 

 

TLS7

Hypertherm True Hole

This style is really only supported on internal holes, and may add very large leadouts to external cuts.  It does a semicircle leadin from the center to the attachment point, and adds a quarter arc leadout (selected here so its visible) coincident with the hole path (effectively a large OverCut).

Do not use this style with Kinetic Touchcut Controllers, use Kinetic TrueHole instead!  This activates our on-controller True-Hole Implementation.

TLS8

Kinetic True Hole

Similar to Hypertherm True Hole but no leadout is applied.  The Touchcut Controller will add the OverCut dynamically., as well as taking up kerf gradually on the leadin, ramping speeds, etc.

This is the leadin style to use when using True Hole on Kinetic machines.  When using SmartHPR and SmartXPR this style of leradin is applied when appropriate, on-demand.

TLS9

Hook In, Quarter Arc Out

TLS10

Hook In, 45 Deg Out

TLS11

Hook In, 30Deg Arc Out

TLS12

Perp In, Quarter Arc Out

TLS13