[rockbaba]

Hello Friends.

I made my own plasma cutter with Mach 3. first i draw a square 200 x 200 mm in solidworks then i put it pronest and i output cnc codes then send it to mach3 then i cut. but my squares dimensions 19.4x19.4 so my dimensions are 0,6 mm short. then i try that process for 10x10 square after cut i measure that squares dimensions is 9,4x9,4 so that dimensions are 0,6 mm short again. how can i calculate that kerf width in pronest or mach 3 ? or what kind of software can i use ? please help me

[Ronnie Canuck]

You could scale your drawing by a factor of 1.031. I've found scaling to be more useful in certain applications than adjusting the kerf (ex: a U-shape). Just remember that your lead-in will change as well and may need adjustment if critical.

Ron

PS: If your cutting holes in your material, they will be larger -not the desired effect.

[mcsteve]

rockbaba, the plasma cutter manual should have the specs for what the kerf values are at the different amperages. These values can then be placed in the Process Parameter spreadsheet in ProNest and this should bring you back into dimension.

Stephen McDonald - Hypertherm Software

[actarus69]

Like 4 years later, ... ... ...

You have to go in TASK / PARAMETER /...scroll down to...CNC OUTPUT .... go in OPTION scroll down to the last option PRE-KERF(I think because my system is in French) and select it.
Now Pronest will apply the kerf you enter in PROCESS PARAMETER/KERF WIDTH or the one you enter in your .XLS Files

Sorry for the time it take me to answer! but may be useful for some! :-)