aluminum cutting issues

[gamble]

Tried to cut this plate last night and had some issues. Hypertherm powermax 45. Air pressure always in the green. I never change that.
45amps,
.8 delay
Tried it at 20 and 25IPM

Not sure what the burn marks are from.

Plate is about .400 thick. (I THINK). Can't recall exactly

[jimcolt]

What height are you piercing at? Then, after the pierce is complete....what height are you cutting at? Pierce height and cut height get more critical as the material gets thicker. From the looks I would guess aluminum blew back between the shield and the nozzle.....this shorts the two and causes double arcing......effectively splitting some amperage away from the cutting process.

Jim Colt

[gamble]

I would say about 3/16 is the distance for cut and pierce. I have no height control so it's always the same. I make it higher than normal so it doesn't blow back to the nozzle. And spray with anti spatter spray

[Brand X]

Does not look like you even got through the plate at all? It will never cut if it's not pierced.. Way too much height for cutting with a Hypertherm 45. far off book specs, and those are generally very good.. Of course they assume you will be using a decent thc..

[gamble]

it went all the way through on most of it. not tgat mess at the bottom right

[jimcolt]

Do the pierce at .200" height for about .9 seconds, then shut off the plasma. Set the cut height at .08" and start the cut (speed of about 23 ipm) in the pierce hole. You will see good results. When you get into thicker materials like this you relay need pierce height and cut height. If you notice the cut chart only recommends piercing to 3/8" (.375") thick on aluminum, you say it is about .400" thick. Beyond the factory spec for a Powermax45, but it will do it with proper pierce and cut height.

Almost time to upgrade with a height control!

JIm Colt

[gamble]

Thanks Jim. I will try it
I am still debating on the upgrade or not. Thinking about getting a larger table with it already and selling mine

[gamble]

Tried it again on a piece of 1/4" aluminum, 45amps, 40IPM, .84 delay. No drilled holes. Cut out VERY nicely. Little edge clean up and done. Minimal dross too