Creating tool paths - cont.
 
The Tool Path Default Template then appears.  There are three tabs at the top of the template.  The three windows below appear when the tabs are selected (left to right tabs here are shown top to bottom as windows).
 
Select the Template tab, and click on Default Material 1/4".  Then select the Basic Cut tab, and click the Direction radio button marked "Climbing".  This will cause the torch to travel clockwise for outside shapes and counter-clockwise for inside shapes.  This always produces the best results with plasma due to the air flow characteristics.
 
Do not enter anything in the Offset box at the upper center of the Basic Cut window.  Kerf compensation is set in the Tool Library, accessible by selecting Machine/Tool Library from the pull-down menu bar.  The default kerf compensation should serve you for the present.  See the text at the bottom of this page for an explanation of the Lead In/Out tab and window.
  
 
Now select the Lead In/Out tab.  Lead-ins and lead-outs are used to prevent blemishes in the edge of the cut from the torch being turned on and off.  The torch fires a short distance from the shape to be cut, and is already cutting when it reaches the actual shape.
 
Here we have checked the two boxes at the top, causing the input areas below to become accessible.  We have specified line type lead-ins and lead-outs .25" long, at an angle of 80 and 85 degrees from their start point.
 
Because the inside shape is so narrow between the moose shape's front legs, the program will not place lead-ins and lead-outs there.
 
Next click the OK button at the bottom of any of the windows.  If OK is not available on one of the windows, click on another tab until it is available.
 
Continue with creating tool paths