G81 is the simplest canned drilling cycle: rapid to the hole, feed straight to depth, then rapid retract. It repeats automatically at every X Y position you list until cancelled, which keeps programs short.
Format
How it works
- Z is the final hole depth; R is the retract (clearance) plane above the part.
- Each following X Y line drills another hole with the same cycle.
- G80 cancels the cycle.
Example
X1.0
X2.0
G80
FAQ
When would I use G81 instead of a peck drilling cycle? G81 is a simple drilling cycle without pecking, best suited to shallow holes where chips clear on their own. For deeper holes needing chip-breaking retracts, a peck cycle like G83 is the better choice.
Does G81 retract to the same height as the starting position? It depends on the retract mode: G98 returns to the initial starting height between holes, while G99 retracts only to the R-plane, a small clearance above the part, which saves cycle time on multi-hole patterns.
Related: G83 peck drilling, G84 tapping, and the Tap Drill Chart.