When a torch finishes a closed loop (like a circle), it often leaves a small "divot" or a localized hot spot where the start and end meet. This is a prime location for a crack to propagate.
In plasma cutting, this usually happens in the . Factors like high-carbon content, impurities in the metal (like sulfur or phosphorus), and extreme thermal stress contribute to the problem. How SheetCam Helps Prevent Hot Cracking sheetcam hot crack
Use SheetCam to create longer, curved lead-ins . This allows the pierce (the hottest part of the process) to happen further away from the finished edge. When a torch finishes a closed loop (like
Here is a deep dive into why this happens and how you can use SheetCam’s powerful toolset to prevent it. What is Hot Cracking? Factors like high-carbon content, impurities in the metal
If you cut all the small holes in one corner of a part consecutively, that area will become extremely hot, increasing the risk of hot cracking.
Ensure your Pierce Delay is perfect. A delay that is too short causes the torch to move before the metal is molten, creating mechanical stress; a delay too long creates a massive heat "puddle." Conclusion
Use SheetCam’s Optimization settings. Instead of cutting the "closest next" part, you can manually sequence the cuts or use a "keep cool" strategy. By jumping the torch to different areas of the sheet, you allow the material to dissipate heat, keeping the overall temperature of the HAZ below the critical cracking threshold. 4. Cutting Speed and Feed Rates